Four area junior varsity athletes turned in winning performances at the Powerlifting America Teenage High School Nationals against top competition from the United States.

The event was held recently in Omaha, Nebraska, where more than 400 lifters from across the nation competed.

Leading the way were two local first-place finishers, Michael Solt from Jim Thorpe High School, and A.J. Reaman from Marian Catholic.

Solt, an Olympian sophomore who’s been powerlifting for four years, captured first place in the 231-pound weight class after placing third in the event a year ago. He officially completed a 492-pound squat, a 292-pound bench press and a 480-pound deadlift to win the national title in the division.

Based upon his prior PWL events, Solt was ranked third in the preliminaries at the Nationals.

“The idea of winning it all was not something I was thinking about,” said Solt after defeating lifters from Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Louisiana. “The one that did it for me was the deadlift, my favorite event of the three. I was able to pick up 40 pounds more than my nearest competitor.”

Previously, Solt had taken first place in the Holiday Havoc Championships held in Scranton.

In the 163-pound weight class, Reaman, of Nesquehoning — who began powerlifting last August and finished third in Scranton — won the title after being tied with another lifter. The sophomore secured the victory because he was the lighter of the two during the weigh-in. He recorded a 350-pound squat, 190-pound bench press, and 420-pound deadlift, the latter being his best event.

“With my long arms, I’m best suited for the dead lift,” he said. “My closest opponent red-lighted, which means his last lift was disqualified. I was not expecting to win. I stayed focused and within myself. There is pressure to perform with expectations, but with my coaches, my friends, and my team supporting me, I was able to win the title.”

Competing in the 205-pound weight class, John LeClair added another podium finish by taking second place. He totaled lifts of a 325-pound squat, 203-pound bench press, and 390-pound deadlift.

The Marian athlete is a sophomore and like Reaman, began powerlifting last August.

“Ever since I started, I have loved powerlifting,” said LeClair, who finished in first place at an Abington Heights meet in only his second-ever competitive event. “My preliminary rank was second, and that’s where I was happy to finish.”

Competing in the 116-pound weight class, Colton Steigerwalt of Jim Thorpe earned a third-place finish. He recorded a 145-pound squat, 80-pound bench press, and 200-pound deadlift.

Steigerwalt has been lifting for two years. He took first place in his weight class at a Parkland meet, and second at Abington Heights.

“I was super nervous,” he said. “I listen to music, and I take deep breaths to help me clear my mind before it’s my time to lift. It all helps me prepare for my lifts.”

Coach John McGowan has built Jim Thorpe powerlifting from the ground up, and was instrumental in the success of the four lifters.

“I’ve been coaching this for 42 years,” he said. “My wife and I have no kids, but we have the largest family in town with the 42 lifters we now have in the program.”

McGowan said that along with their skills in lifting weights, the four athletes rank high in character.

“They are all great kids,” he said, “and their work ethic and training are why they have been so successful. They’re also dedicated to helping each other get better.”

Winning national championships has not yet impacted Solt, but it has Reaman.

“It really hasn’t hit me yet that I won,” said Solt.

“It’s just crazy to think I won knowing that I’ve been in the sport for less than a year,” said Reaman.

Intensive training prepares the lifters for their competitive events.

“I train different parts of my body most every day,” said Solt. “I cut out most junk food. I like to eat foods high in protein and carbohydrates.”

Reaman juggles two sports this time of year.

“I play baseball and I lift, which helps me play the position of catcher for my team.”

“I’m into making improvements for competition,” said Steigerwalt. “It doesn’t happen all at once. It’s taking small steps each day.”

Since Marian has no powerlifting team, LeClair trains in Narrow Valley, and sometimes with McGowan who praised him for his rapid rise in PW.

“John has improved his weight lifts by 50 pounds since he started last year.”

For now, and with a bright future in powerlifting, both Solt and Reaman have set goals to participate in the sport at the college level.

“I’d like to make the USA Federation Powerlifting team,” said Solt.

“I’ll be a favorite, and I’m focused on winning the state title,” said Reaman.

Four area athletes have brought national recognition not only to themselves, but to their schools and to their communities.

In the next two years, they hope to continue to earn state and national powerlifting honors at the varsity level.