Because of the interest of one young lady, Carbon County has its first Special Olympics powerlifting team.

Melissa Bock said her daughter, Michelle, became interested in powerlifting after she and her friend, Lisa Cooper, started training and competing in the sport.Bock said they turned to Kerri Jahelka, owner of Dedicated Fitness in Palmerton, to learn how to train others. Once they were trained, Jahelka offered to help them train Michelle and other intellectually disabled people at her gym.That first year, 28 people came out to learn about powerlifting, which includes bench pressing weight, dead lifts and squats. The second year, five of them, including Michelle, wanted to compete, Cooper said. This year, all five came back to compete again."We are grateful to Dedicated Fitness for allowing us to train here every week for free," she said. The team of three men and two women practices there every Sunday evening. Some participate in other sports like track.Jahelka also comes and gives the team pep talks before competitions."She's such a motivator," Cooper said.This year, all five members want to break their personal records, which according to Cooper, "They are all well on their way to do it."Their personal records include:• Michelle Bock, 25, of Palmerton - benched 71.65 pounds, deadlift 181.88 pounds;• Delina Rodrigues, 21, of Palmerton - benched 66.14, deadlift 198.42;• Calvin Craig, 30, of Palmerton - squats 143.30;• Dale Lloyd, 39, of Lehighton - benched 181.88, squats 181.88, deadlift 231.49, and;• Korey Steinberg, 20, of Lehighton - benched 132.28, squats 181.88, deadlift 303 pounds."Training the athletes and watching them succeed in competition is so rewarding. Volunteering gives back so much more than you can ever give," Bock said. She and Cooper have eight volunteers to help them spot the team members as they train."I love their enthusiasm and (the gym's quote) 'Positive is Powerful' attitudes they bring each week," Bock said. "They are so proud of themselves, and they are so supportive to their teammates."The team will compete in a Special Olympics powerlifting competition in October at East Stroudsburg University. Bock said they can compete in other powerlifting meets, but there aren't enough certified coaches to make that happen. Also a competitor, Bock said she plans her competitions around their schedule so there isn't a conflict. The team will also compete in November at Villanova University.Michelle Bock said she gets excited about competing and nervous if she doesn't do so good, but "then someone gives me a pep talk and I'm OK."Steinberg said he talks himself out of being nervous. "I just say in my head that I can lift it and not be negative about it."He is convinced he is going to beat his personal record.Michelle Bock said each team member has a nickname. She's known as The Beast, because of how much she can lift."I'm not changing my nickname," she said. "It's awesome."For more information or to donate to the team, contact Melissa Bock at

Melissa.bock1@yahoo.com. The team is in need of weight belts and warm-up suits.