Four-time Powerlifting State Champion Reflects on His Experiences
Submitted by Brayden Londerville
March 11, 2020
Senior Brayden Londerville, four-time powerlifting state champion, responds to questions about his lifting career:
How did it feel to win your division at the state level for the fourth time?
“It was an amazing feeling to know that I am the first four-time state champion to ever come out of Neenah. Our school has had lots of great powerlifters throughout its history, so knowing that I am the only person to have their name on the state champion board four times is a feeling I can’t even describe. The fourth feels just as sweet as the first, maybe even better.”
What has inspired you the most in your athletic career so far?
“There are many people that have inspired me throughout my career. The ones that got me started are my brothers Bryce and Charles–they are multi-time state champions as well. I always tried to follow their footsteps, and have the hard work they had to reach my goal of becoming a state champion just like them. My coaches have been phenomenal throughout the six years on the team (I started in 7th grade). They truly know how to mentally and physically prepare for our competitions. The Neenah program is highly respected across the country because of our coaches. Last but not least, my teammates, we all push each other beyond any of us could imagine we could go. Without any of these people I would not be where I am today.”
What is your favorite part about powerlifting?
“My favorite part is the friendships I have made along the way. Throughout my seven years, I have experienced many different types of teams. Some of the years you felt like family with the other kids on the team. This year is one of those years. The friendships I’ve made have and always will produce more happiness than any award out there.”
If you could give advice to a young aspiring athlete, what would it be?
“The biggest advice I could give to a young athlete/lifter is to be coach-able. What I mean by that is if a coach or a veteran of a team suggest something to help you just give it a try. It shows respect to the person who said it but it also teaches you to get out of your comfort zone. To get better you need to be forced out of your comfort zone; no matter what sport you play you will not get any better by staying comfortable.”
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Darian Szandor Frawley • Mar 30, 2020 at 10:57 AM
Having the ability to say that you are one of such a small amount of people that are a four time state champion is insanely special. Especially when you have made the hall of fame certainly makes it much more sweet I can imagine. All of the hard work that has been put in to create this legacy has sadly been postponed, but has at least been spared unlike many of the other sports or activities either going on or prematurely ended before they even had a chance to begin. So, with that knowledge having something to look forward to hopefully soon if the virus subsides early enough, I can only imagine how antsy you and the other national qualifiers must be at this time to get back to the weights and continue training. I wish you and the other national qualifiers the best of luck. Because at the rate this is going at, we are all going to need it.