Raising the bar higher describes the effort made by the Jim Thorpe Area High School power lifting team, as the Olympians finished another successful undefeated season.

Under head coach John McGowan, the team continues to improve and accept new challenges with a shrug. This year they competed in four powerlifting meets with the team and individuals achieving great success.

Their first competition was the 2019 Pennsylvania State Teenage Powerlifting Championships held at Parkland High School. The team placed first in the raw medium school division. Twelve team members also received individual awards in the respective weight and age brackets. Dylan Dailey and Allan James Bailor received best lifter awards for their age brackets.

Next, the Olympians competed at the Abington Heights 31st Annual Weightlifting Meet. The team captured first place overall. Fifteen team members won individual awards. Casey Bitsko won best female lifter for the event.

Jim Thorpe then hosted its 15th Annual Olympian Ironman Lift-a-thon. Eighteen team members won individual awards. Dailey won best heavyweight in the deadlift, Bailor won best heavyweight in the bench press, and Bitsko won best female in the deadlift.

In their final competition, the team traveled to Kennard-Dale High School to compete at the Pennsylvania State High School Championships. The boys team won first place in medium school division and the girls team placed third. Thirteen team members won individual awards in their weight classes. Bitsko won best female lifter. This is the first year the team competed “raw” using only approved lifting belts, singlets, wrist wraps, knee sleeves, and chalk.