As the start of the season approaches, the Cannon Falls weightlifting team is preparing to compete. The bar was set high last year with many state participants and accomplishments. This season, lifters are eager to build on last year’s success, aiming to maintain their gains and continue improving their lifts. Luckily, the Cannon Falls weightlifting team has many strong competitors returning this season.
Freshman Logan German shared, “For me, the reason I joined weightlifting was to really advance my athletic abilities, but honestly, I compete for fun now,” when asked why he joined the team. Logan says his goal for the 2025–26 season is to double his totals and maintain his number one spot in the state, along with his state records.
Junior Evan Miller is in his 6th season. Miller helps encourage younger lifters by explaining how “weightlifting can help you become better in all other sports; it doesn’t just help you get stronger in lifting weights.” Weightlifting helps athletes become stronger, faster, and more powerful, which improves performance in nearly every sport. Evan lifts after school for football and says his favorite lift is the back squat because it is his strongest lift.
Weightlifting is a demanding sport; it requires strength, proper technique, consistency, and mental toughness, which helps athletes improve both physically and mentally. Returning lifter, Junior Lily Nelson states “Motivation in the workouts is anything from kind words from other people to some good country music. The atmosphere in the weight room is so uplifting, kind, and supportive. I couldn’t imagine it any other way!” when asked how she pushes through tough workouts. Lily won the Junior Varsity state championship last year in her weight class, a milestone that highlights her dedication and leadership on the team.
Along with Lily, Senior Dana Barsness has been a standout athlete on the platforms. Dana remarks, “I am most proud of the state titles that I have gotten, even after facing lots of injuries over time,” when questioned about what she is most proud of from her previous seasons. Dana is driven and ready to end her high school weightlifting career on a high note. Barsness has advice for younger lifters, which is “to stay consistent and don’t give up on yourself.” As a Brazilian soccer legend Pelé once said, “Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do,” which perfectly describes the dedication of lifters like Dana.
As the weightlifters step up to the bar this season, one thing is clear: their eyes are on the goal, and nothing will hold them back.
