Do You Have Your Tickets To The Gun Show?
Junior sets record in the weight room
by Sarah Schrag 

Many students are aware of the weight room, but most don’t always take full advantage of it. Those that do take the Strength and Conditioning class offered at KHS obviously want to get in better shape and strengthen their muscles. Matt Snyder, a junior who is taking his second year of weights class, is setting a standard by breaking two records in the light weight division during the first nine weeks of school. Matt is part of the second lightest weight class. Weighing in at 122 pounds and at 5’4" he has proven that anyone of any size can make great achievements. The previous squat record held by Dustin Weniger with a squat of 250 set in ‘93-’94 was no match to Snyder’s 315 max. Also, the previous dead lift record held by Justin Walter with a lift of 310 set in ‘91-’92 was shattered by Matt’s 345 forceful blow out.

There are many records up on the board in the weight room, and only a few succeed to overcome the previous records set. The board shows a unique history in the weight room. The oldest record was in ‘90-’91 for a 275lb dead lift set by Jerry Meng, to the latest updates set by Snyder.

This ability doesn’t come naturally. Many have worked hard and put in numerous hours in our weight room. Failed attempts have been made and yet after each attempt those who try still have the competitive spirit to keep going. Not only is the record board obscure, but also, many students don’t know there is an Iron Eagle, Golden Eagle, and Elite Eagle accomplishment that previous KHS students sought. To become an Iron Eagle, students must lift four times their body weight in bench, squat, and hang clean. For Golden Eagle they lift five times their body weight. The greatest is Elite Eagle and by earning this students need lift six times their body weight to accomplish it. These standings aren’t just being set by guys. On this wall there are currently a total of eighteen girls who also met such standards.

Snyder stated that he is the only one in his family who is into lifting weights. Since this activity isn’t popular among his relatives, the big question is what motivates this guy to excel at it? Snyder attempted to explain it stating, "Well, I guess being small and wanting to prove that even if I am I could still be strong." This student found his niche in which he can excel, something all of us should strive to do.