Name: Avery Polczak
School/grade level: Sophomore, Lowell High School
Passion: Powerlifting
Lowell — Avery Polczak can deadlift 330 pounds, but she was still impressed by the size of the medal she won as the Junior Varsity High School powerlifting national champion in her weight class.
“The freaking medals were so heavy! They were like five pounds,” she said.
Avery is an animated and candid talker, speaking of the realities of powerlifting as a sport and how discomfort often precedes glory.
She won the national title in Killeen, Texas, in March. She took first in her class at the JV State Meet in February. Those achievements followed a season of hard work and many, many lifts.
“That felt fun!” she said of clinching the national title. “(At the event) my brother and my dad were getting really competitive with the numbers (weight Avery was lifting). There was a girl that kept upping her numbers, so they kept upping my numbers. … We ended up winning the fight, and I lifted the weight.”
Avery’s parents, Jessica and Matt Polczak and brother, Dylan Polczak, 19, are no strangers to the sport, which contributes to her success.
“Everyone in my family is a powerlifter. It’s in the genes.”
During a break from the gym, Avery sat down with SNN to talk powerlifting.
How old were you when powerlifting became something you were interested in? What’s the story there? “I actually just started powerlifting two years ago. I go to the YMCA here in Lowell. It started off with my parents telling me what to do, and then it went to my brother giving me (lifting) programs, because he goes to Davenport (University) for lifting. Then the Davenport coach gave me a program, and I followed that up until nationals.”
What is a powerlifting program and what do you do for it? Competitive powerlifting includes three lifts: squat, bench and deadlift, Avery explained.
“A program tells you how much effort you have to put into each lift. (What you do) depends on the day. You have squat, bench and deadlift, and you have accessory day (cardio.) I’m going to the Y four days a week.”
“My dad makes sure I do the stuff I am supposed to do, because it hurts to lift and I don’t really want to. I could also get seriously hurt if someone’s not watching me, so he’s there to make sure I am being safe, careful and that I am following what I’m supposed to do. I want to get strong!”
What’s your next goal? “Going to and competing and winning varsity nationals. My dad said I could get anything I want if I did it.”
Avery also said she admires her brother and wants to win for him.
“I’m going to try my hardest to be the best,” she said.
So what would you want from your Dad if you win? “Probably something Sonic (the Hedgehog) themed … a really big plushie. That would make me happy.”
Do you plan to continue powerlifting after high school? “Yes, by going to Davenport. I really like the environment. They are a really good team and really nice people.”
Do you plan to pursue this professionally? Envision yourself 10/20 years from now. “I am going to be the most shredded person you will ever meet, but what I am going to be doing in my future: baking. I am going to open my own bakery. That is my dream.”
What is it like to be in a family of powerlifters: “A lot of meal prepping, a lot of consideration and thought; and a lot of people who are just a lot stronger than you even though you are told you are this big old thing.”
Other hobbies/interests: “I’m good at art and I love playing video games. I love reading and hanging out with my friends. I love to eat food; that’s a good hobby.”
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