The State High School Weightlifting Meet took place at Cannon Falls High School on March 8th, 2025, bringing together over twelve schools in a fierce competition to determine the strongest athletes in the State. Cannon Falls lifters dominated the platform, with six students earning gold in their weight class and many others securing top-three finishes. Silver medalist Evan Miller enthusiastically shared, “My favorite part about State is the atmosphere because there are always so many people there with great competition.”
But the record-breaking isn’t over yet—Nationals is just around the corner. From June 21st to June 29th, the nation’s best lifters will gather in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Representing Cannon Falls on the national stage will be Senior Captain August Wagner, Dana Barsness, Zane Beck, Bea Wagner, and Wyatt Nelson. They will battle to prove they are among the strongest students in the country. Coaches and teammates alike have high hopes for the Cannon Falls squad, confident that their hard work will pay off in record-breaking lifts and podium finishes.
Unfortunately, the 2025 season is over for many of these talented athletes. For James Huseth, his season did not end how he had hoped it would due to an injury. Disregarding the injury, Huseth still enjoyed watching state, especially watching August Wagner dominate his competition. For his senior season, he hopes to “be back in [his] best condition and break more records.” Huseth went on to elaborate that earlier in the season he broke the JV clean and jerk record as well as the total record.
Two seniors will not be returning for the 2026 season: Addison Miller and August Wagner. Junior lifter Lily Nelson says she will miss the seniors’ positive attitudes and constant encouragement. Evan Miller said he will also miss the seniors, especially with the absence of his older sister, in the next two years of his high school career. Others say they will miss being in a community that encourages every lifter and does not put others down.
As the season wraps up for many, the focus now shifts toward the future. While some lifters prepare to represent Cannon Falls at Nationals, others, like James Huseth, are already setting goals for next season. The weightlifting team will continue to practice in the early mornings throughout the spring, and whether on the State stage or the National platform, one thing is clear: the strength and dedication of these athletes will continue to raise the bar for years to come.
