Six hours a week of lifting heavy weights, scavenging for articles on the Internet and magazines about powerlifting, and looking for any edge to get a few extra pounds on lifts.
To freshman Jeremy Hartman, it’s all about dedication.
He hopes all of his work will pay off June 14-16 when Hartman will compete in the 2002 USA Powerlifting Teenage and Junior Men’s National Powerlifting Championships in Killeen, Texas. Hartman took second in the teen division of the championships last year for the 198 pound weight class.
Hartman said that commitment is something that he has always had, and it has helped him in weightlifting.
“I always pushed myself no matter what I was doing, whether it be school, sports, or work,” Hartman said. “I think the reason I have done so well in weightlifting is that when I got into it I met some good people, and I have a good future in it.”
One of those people is Vic Voinovich, who owns Elite Fitness, a gym in Hartman’s hometown of Chesterland, Ohio. Voinovich had coached Hartman in wrestling in high school, and he helped him train since he began weightlifting. Voinovich said that Hartman has a rare combination of attributes that make him a good power lifter.
“He has very good genetics and is a good worker on top of it,” Voinovich said. “Many times, you’ll see someone who has good genetics but doesn’t work. But when you put the two together, you have pretty great results.”
Hartman said that weightlifting is something you have to continue to work at.
“I just want to continue what I’m doing,” Hartman said. “Sometimes you will have setbacks with injuries where you have to sit out, but it’s all in how you deal with them.”
The hard work paid off in March when Hartman competed at the Battle of the Great Lakes, the state of Ohio’s competition for weight lifters. Hartman was crowned Collegiate Champion for his weight class and broke three state records: the squat (550 pounds), deadlift (555 pounds) and total (a combination of squat, deadlift and bench combined at 1,485 pounds). Hartman was pleased with the meet, but he was not surprised.
“I have always tried to get to the next level,” Hartman said. “My numbers kept going up before the meet, so I felt very confident.” BG freshman Don Rollin, who came in second at the Great Lakes competition for his weight class of 181 pounds, credited Hartman with helping him prepare.
“He’s very motivated,” Rollin said. “He gets very upset with me whenever I miss a workout, and that helped me get ready.”
When talking about the nationals, Voinovich said that the only thing Hartman is missing is a little confidence. He expects him to not only place first in the nationals, but also to break some records along the way.
“He should not only win, but also set a new national record for power lifting,” Voinovich said. “The only thing is, sometimes he limits himself. He may not know how strong he is.”
Hartman feels he can win when he goes to the championships. “I have a really good shot,” Hartman said. I took second place last year, and with the three state records, I am pretty confident I can win.”
Hartman is just as careful when it comes to his health. Voinovich said he will not take any nutritional supplement until he has studied it enough to know it is safe.
“The main thing about Jeremy is not only that he is a great athlete, he’s also a tremendous person,” Voinovich said. “Many times with weight lifters, you encounter guys with huge egos, but with Jeremy, he’s a classy person outside of the weight room as well.”
Hartman could use some sponsors to lighten the financial burden of his trip to the nationals. If you or anyone you know would be interested in assisting him, he can be reached through e-mail at [email protected] or at 419-214-4874.