On February 4th 2026, athletes from Sunlake and Land o Lakes High school for a boys weightlifting meet to compete in events like bench press, and clean and jerk. The competition tested strength, focus, and determination. Jackson Heaton; Senior, was one of the boys competing on the meet. To prepare for the meet, he followed a specific routine. “I usually fast until my weigh in,” he explained, “After that, i’ll eat something like a pub sub.” Sticking to his routine helped him feel ready and fueled for his competition. Going into the meet, his goal wasn’t just about winning. “My goal was to gain experience for the more important meets later this season and to hit new PRs,” Jackson said. He viewed the meet as a stepping stone for bigger competitions.

Unlike many athletes, he wasn’t too nervous before his first lift. “I wasn’t too nervous because I knew no matter what, I would have good placement,” he shared. To mentally prepare he put on his headphones and listened to music during warmups. “I warm up to my starting weight so I know I can do it,” he added, explaining how that boosted his confidence. When asked which lift made him the proudest, his answer was clear. “I’m most proud of my clean and jerk because I’ve never done it before, and I was able to lift a lot of weight.” Trying something new and succeeding made the moment even more meaningful. Overall, he felt positive about his performance. “I feel good about it because I’ve never done weightlifting before,” Jackson said. For him, simply competing and improving was an accomplishment. He also gave credit to the people who helped him reach this point. “Coach Hodros and Coach Madly are the main reasons I’m doing better. They helped me increase my PRs and improve my form.” Their guidance played a big role in his progress.

Through the meet, he gained not just strength, but experience that will help him in future competitions. With supportive coaches and growing confidence, he is just getting started.