51 www. ReadMPM. com | www.MountPl easantMagaz i ne. com | www. ShemCreekRes taurant s . com our town said. A handful of athletes expressed interest, so in 2015 Ritchie launched a team. Ultimately, only three athletes competed that year. “It takes so much to compete in this sport,” he added. Special Olympics powerlifters are held to the same standards set by the International Powerlifting Federation. They train year-round to stay fit and competition ready. However, despite the challenge inherent in those rigorous standards, Ritchie loves this inclusion. “It shows these athletes are no different from other athletes,” he stated. “They’re just as strong. Just as passionate.” Special Olympics powerlifters can compete in the same three disciplines as standard Olympic powerlifters: squats, bench press and dead lift. Divided by weight classes, they’re judged on the control, depth and smoothness of their lifts. Ritchie’s team found success at both the state and national levels. He now coaches the statewide team and brought four of his athletes to the Special Olympics national games held in Orlando, Florida, in June 2022. THE ATHLETES AND THEIR SUCCESS To Ritchie, it’s the athletes doing all the hard work and making his job so rewarding. Mark Vito is a 29-year-old who competes in the 165-pound weight class. He works full time at Boone Hall, riding his bike to work each morning. “He has such a great work ethic,” said Ritchie. “He trains hard, never missing workouts, and he gives it everything he has.” His work ethic resulted in four gold medals at the national games last June, and Vito has only been increasing his weights since then. Katie Spears is a 24-yearold competing in the super heavyweight class. At nationals last year she dead lifted 190 pounds; recently, she lifted 215, demonstrating her love and passion for the sport. “Katie’s saying to me all the time, ‘I don’t quit, coach. I’ll never quit,’” said Ritchie. “She gets after it, every time, and gives it everything she has.” “Powerlifting gives my athletes confidence,” Ritchie added. “We focus on stretching and movement as well as diet and nutrition. We talk about eating to perform. My gym family (the folks we work out with every week) are always giving advice about how to train your body, and how to eat for success. Altogether, it helps their mobility and their confidence. When the athletes started many years ago, they didn’t know how to grip the bar or listen to commands. Today, I’m confident they can both be coaches themselves.” To Ritchie, powerlifting is about more than just strength training. “I used to tell my police officers: when you’re physically fit, you’re mentally fit,” he said. “They go hand in hand. When you work hard and get strong, you’ll have that confidence to face anything that may come your way. I know my athletes take that seriously, and I know they apply it throughout their lives.” Ritchie with excited par ticipants at the USA games. Get the Best Solution forYour Home and Budget. Reliable, upfront service for your home’s A/C, heating, plumbing & gas Celebrating Two Years in Business! BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT 843-518-1479 1stChoiceforAC.com Get the My Choice Service Plan for $158 a Year!
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