The 2025-26 Cannon Falls weightlifting team is halfway through their season, and so far, they’ve accomplished a lot. The team has been working hard, pushing their limits, and is optimistic about finishing the second half of the season strong.
Mental strength is all about staying focused, confident, and pushing through discomfort to finish a lift. Senior James Huseth remarks, “For me, the first attempt is more nerve-wracking than final attempts because if I miss, I can only stay at the same weight or go up, so I would be in a bad position.” Charlie Rustad, who is a 3-sport athlete, says that the biggest mental challenge in lifting is “going for a new max that you have never done before because you don’t know if you’ll be able to do it or not. You just have to tell yourself you can do it and try your best.” These athletes stay focused under pressure by positive self-talk and locking in on their bodies and technique when lifting. While mental focus is key, the team has also been seeing strong progress in their lifts.
The squad has seen progress toward their main goal: getting stronger throughout the season. When James was asked if he had hit any new PRs, he said, “Yes, I have, and it feels good when I’m in the weight room, but when I get to PR at meets, it means a lot more because then it counts towards my total.” Part of hitting new PRs requires consistent training, proper form, and adequate rest while also believing in yourself and trusting your body to lift the heavy weight. Freshman Kaia Maki says, “The one lift I’ve most improved on this season would most likely be the snatch,” when asked about her most improved lift. The snatch is a common weightlifting lift where you pull the bar from the ground to overhead in one smooth motion, catching it in a squat and standing up with control. Overall, the athletes have noticed strength gains since the start of the season. Individual improvements have boosted confidence across the team.
Team culture matters in every sport, but it’s crucial in weightlifting. Competing individually is tough, so having a supportive team makes the mental challenges easier to handle. Junior Kaeda Rezac states, “Everyone cheers on everyone, and we want each other to succeed.” Kaeda has also seen an improvement in her strength, and being encouraged is a big part of her growth. The team vibe is described in three words: “Chaotic, uplifting, and resilient,” all chosen by Kaia Maki. The Cannon Falls team is fortunate to have such a supportive but competitive atmosphere. This positive environment helps each athlete push to their full potential.
Looking ahead to the rest of the season, Rustad says, “I am really excited for the State Meet because it’s in Cannon Falls again, and we should have a decent amount of people lifting in it.” For fun, I asked Charlie what one silly rule he would pick to add to practice, and he answered, “One silly rule I would add to practice is that the coaches have to do the warmup with us. They are always getting on us for not trying hard enough during the warmup, so I’d like to see them try it.”
Although the team still has half the season ahead, the lifters have already gotten stronger and grown closer as a group. Kaeda says, “I joined weights because of the people, and getting stronger has been a bonus.” She also encourages others to come out next year. With that teamwork and determination, the team is excited to see what they can accomplish with the rest of the season.
