Columbus East High School

THE OLYMPIAN IRON ROOM - The final max-out cycle of the ’25/’26 school year has officially concluded at Columbus East High School, capping off months of disciplined effort, consistent attendance, and steady progress in the weight room. Under the guidance of Coach Karl Eagleman, the student-athletes focused heavily on technique, consistency, and supporting one another, resulting in notable personal milestones across the board. Driven by a team-first culture where encouragement is standard, the student-athlete body raised the school’s overall "Big 3" (Squat, Bench Press, Clean) average to a well-earned 627 pounds. Leading the way in team consistency were the Advanced Weight Training classes—with the Football cohort pacing the room at a 734-pound average, closely followed by the Wrestling crew with a 688-pound average. From landmark milestones on the boys' side to an impressive showing from the girls' program, the Olympians demonstrated what can be achieved through steady, daily commitment. The Boys' Program: Reaching the 1,000-Pound Milestone Reaching a cumulative 1,000-pound total across the Squat, Bench Press, and Clean is a long-term goal for many dedicated high school lifters. This cycle, six student-athletes crossed this challenging threshold, reflecting the hours of training they have invested over their high school careers. Cayden Smith (1,155 lbs Total): Smith put together a remarkably strong and consistent day to earn the highest individual total in the program. His max-out session featured a 545-pound squat, a 335-pound bench press, and a 275-pound clean. Zander Taylor (1,085 lbs Total): Taylor showed excellent focus and technique, clearing a 520-pound squat, a 315-pound bench press, and a 250-pound clean. Ethan Gilley (1,075 lbs Total): Gilley demonstrated great mechanics and determination throughout the cycle, combining a 510-pound squat and a 300-pound bench press with a 265-pound clean. Evan Simo (1,065 lbs Total): A consistent anchor in the heavier division, Simo put up a strong performance highlighted by a 515-pound squat and a 275-pound clean. Dallas Dykstra (1,060 lbs Total): Showing exceptional leverage and focus at a body weight of 184 pounds, Dykstra joined the club with a 440-pound squat, a 305-pound bench, and a highly technical 315-pound clean. Clayton Miller (1,055 lbs Total): Rounding out the group, Miller executed a well-rounded and balanced series of lifts, securing a 455-pound squat, a 295-pound bench, and a 305-pound clean. ** (In standard fashion, Coach Karl Eagleman joined his athletes on the platform to support the room, logging a 1,035-pound total with a 415-pound squat, 305-pound bench, and a 315-pound clean.) - Good job Coach!! The Girls' Program: Setting New Standards of Strength The Lady Olympians put together one of their most cohesive and productive cycles to date. Led by an encouraging group of upperclassmen and a highly disciplined underclassman tier, the girls' program made significant strides in both individual technique and overall weight moved. Taylor Wessel (580 lbs Total): Pacing the middleweight ranks, Wessel put together a very balanced performance. She paired a 255-pound squat and a 135-pound bench with an impressive, program-best 190-pound clean. Krea Martin (555 lbs Total): Relying on precise technique, Martin worked her way through a strong 260-pound squat, a 135-pound bench, and a 160-pound clean. Kenlee Gault (550 lbs Total): Gault proved to be a model of consistency on the platform, matching the second-highest squat of the day at 265 pounds, while adding a 130-pound bench and a 155-pound clean. Kiersten Collins (525 lbs Total): Lifting in the lighter flights, Collins delivered an exceptionally efficient pound-for-pound performance. Weighing 116 pounds, she completed a 220-pound squat, a 160-pound bench press, and a 145-pound clean. Focus on Efficiency: Strength-to-Weight Ratio While high numbers are always impressive, the program also highlights relative strength—how much an athlete lifts compared to their own body weight. Both sides of the room showed great mechanical efficiency. For the boys, Caiden Talkington put together an incredibly efficient session in the lightweight division. Weighing 136 pounds, Talkington logged an 805-pound Big 3 Total (335 Squat / 215 Bench / 255 Clean), achieving a 5.92 strength-to-weight ratio. He was joined in high-efficiency marks by Dallas Dykstra (5.76 ratio), Keegan Fields (5.55 ratio with an 828-pound total at 149 pounds body weight), and Clayton Miller (5.52 ratio). For the Lady Olympians, Kiersten Collins led the way in relative strength. Her 525-pound total at 116 pounds body weight calculated to a 4.53 strength-to-weight ratio. She was backed solidly by Kenlee Gault (4.04 ratio) and Krea Martin (4.02 ratio), both crossing the highly respectable 4.0x threshold. Weight Class Standouts Heavyweight Division (Boys 201+ / Girls 181+) In addition to the top totals, the boys' heavyweight class showed great depth. Konnor Wade put up a strong 975-pound total (including a 315-pound bench press), while Malachi Brown finished with a 970-pound total supported by a 455-pound squat. For the girls, Addyson Dean (515 total) showed excellent hip extension with a 180-pound clean, while Stefany Martinez-Aguilar also reached a 515-pound total using a solid 245-pound squat and 140-pound bench. Upper-Middleweight Division (Boys 181-200 / Girls 161-180) With Dykstra and Miller leading the weight class, the boys' division also saw strong work from Lincoln Cooper, who totaled 945 pounds with a 425-pound squat and 275-pound clean. Paxton Thompson finished with a 920-pound total, anchored by a 275-pound bench. For the girls, Jillian Chapple reached a 470-pound total with a 135-pound bench and 140-pound clean, while Taylor Anderson utilized a 200-pound squat to build her 445-pound total. Middleweight Division (Boys 161-180 / Girls 141-160) Boys’ lifter Isaac Going put together a highly productive day, totaling 895 pounds with a 245-pound bench and a 265-pound clean. Caleb Cooper pressed a division-best 265 pounds on the bench press to anchor his 875-pound total, while James Nordyke and Michael Reed finished the cycle locked at an identical 865 pounds. Taylor Wessel paced the girls' division, followed closely by Delaney Richards (500 total, 230 squat) and Elizabeth Jones (505 total, 155 clean). Isabella Leonard also showed great upper-body control, matching the second-best bench press in the girls' program with a 160-pound lockout. Lightweight Division (Boys 141-160 / Girls 121-140) Keegan Fields' 828-pound total led the boys here, with Will Cochran putting together a solid 800-pound total including a 355-pound squat. Jayden Dehart reached a 355-pound squat of his own, while Jackson Miller contributed a 235-pound bench press. The girls' division featured close, productive sessions from Krea Martin (555 total) and Kenlee Gault (550 total). Shelby Sharp matched the second-highest female squat at 265 pounds, and Lola Watkins completed a strong 170-pound bench press. Featherweight Division (Boys 140 & Below / Girls 120 & Below) Following Caiden Talkington’s leading performance, freshman Bentley Newman established a solid foundation for the future, leading the division’s squats with a 255-pound lift. Jordan Hofelich caught a strong 190-pound clean. For the girls, Kiersten Collins' 525-pound total set a great example of efficiency, while Mary Miller compiled a very steady 425-pound total (185 Squat / 135 Clean) and Renata Montoya Gonzalez showed great persistence to finish with a 410-pound total. A Foundation of Mutual Support With students earning spots across the various levels of the school’s Pound Clubs (spanning the 700, 800, 900, and 1,000-pound landmarks), the Columbus East weight room continues to be a positive environment for personal growth. The progress realized in this cycle is a credit to the collective work ethic of the room—where athletes look out for one another's safety, celebrate each other's gains, and strive for incremental improvement every day. With the school year concluding, the Olympians have set a wonderful baseline for the upcoming seasons, proving that steady, quiet dedication remains the best path to success. #GETTINGREADYFOR2627