There’s a new strongman at Putnam County High School.
PCHS Principal Dr. Andrew Cooper revealed at a recent Board of Education meeting that he competed for the first time ever last month in a USA Powerlifting event and not only won but set three new state powerlifting records within his division.
Cooper went to Savannah to compete in the USA Powerlifting Masters 1 Division for men ages 40-49 and won the bench press with a state-record-setting lift of 155 kilograms, or approximately 341.7 pounds.
In a combo deadlift competition, Cooper totaled 903.8 pounds after a squat lift of 407.8 pounds and a deadlift of 496 pounds, also new state records.
“Well, when you get older, there’s not a lot of competition, but it was fun,” said Cooper, who beat six other competitors in his age and weight class.
Cooper said he decided to get back in shape about October last year and started visiting FeroFit Oconee (1101 Lake Oconee Pkwy.), his brother-in-law’s business in Greensboro.
“I was just looking to work out and get a little stronger, but then we thought about maybe getting into a little competition,” Cooper explained. “And it was fun. We had a good time.”
Cooper admits that heading into the Savannah meet, he felt like he could do well, but the results definitely exceeded his expectations.
“Looking at the numbers and all, I thought I would be competitive, and I really thought I could get the bench state record because it was 142.5 (kg), because I felt like I did more than that in training. So, I felt like I could get that. The others I wasn’t so sure about.”
Despite the taste of success, Cooper said he’s also unsure if he’ll continue in competitive weightlifting.
“I really did this just to get in better shape, and next year I’d be moving up a division in age, so not really sure I’ll keep going,” he said. “But it was a fun experience.”