NOCTILUCA November 2017

SPORTS Appleton, Wisconsin November 2017 Volume XXlll Page 11 Powerlifter Jaden Eisch wins Nationals, again Issue II

600 pounds. “I didn’t do my best. Yes it was enough to win, but I know I can do bet- ter, I have done better in the “I want to be the best, I will be the best one day.” - Jaden Eisch past,” Eisch said when asked about his championship per- formance. Eisch’s passion for the sport is unmatched. He has dedicated most of his high school life to being the best. “After this most recent com- petition, something inside me lit up. I have a redefined passion for the sport, I want to be the best, I will be the best one day,” Eisch said when discussing his passion for powerlifting. Eisch strives to be the best in the world some day, and his work ethic proves it. He is pumping iron whenever he can. His routine is not for the weak hearted. Three to five days a week, you can see Eisch pumping iron ei- ther upstairs in North’s gym,

get stronger. Eisch knows he doesn’t need any of that to be the best. Even taking Creatine, a legal supplement which can help muscle cells produce more energy and speed up muscle growth, is something Eisch stays away from. It is exciting to see some- one so successful here at North. Winning two national championships in powerlift- ing before the age of 18 is something to be proud of.

or at a gym in the Appleton area. In addition to that, he is self trained. He taught him- self how to become who he is today, which is something that is not common anymore, especially in sports like pow- erlifting, MMA, and wres- tling. The best part about his routine? It’s all natural. He prides himself on be- ing a drug-free lifter. There are many athletes who take steroids or other kinds of growth hormone to help them Eisch posing with another powerlifter. Photo courtesy of Jaden Eisch. not focusing on what is in the foreseeable future. Overall, the girls have im- proved a lot during the off- season. Many players, like Brekke, competed in AAU basketball, which is an orga- nization available to help ath- letes to hone their skills and physical fitness. The team also improved due to the nu- merous summer workouts available to the players. “At these workouts, we focus on improving in all different cat- egories, especially the funda- mentals,” said Brekke. The team also incorpo- rates a philosophy throughout the season to live by. Even though the philosophy has yet to be decided by the team, every year the idea of being

Eisch, on the right, taking a picture with a fellow powerlifter at Nationals. Photo courtesy of Jaden Eisch. By Kyle Hoffenbecker

Jaden Eisch was recently in- vited to a national powerlift- ing competition in Orlando, Florida. He is no stranger to this competition. For the second time, Eisch placed first in his division, super heavyweight, and age group, U18. Eisch is a back to back national champion, and it is something that should not go unnoticed. Eisch squatted an aston- ishing 635 pounds, benched 395 pounds, and deadlifted

A sport that is not as com- mon as say football or basket- ball, powerlifting is a sport that is all about muscular strength, and being able to lift as much weight as physi- cally possible. Competition consists of three different lifts: bench press, squat, and deadlift. Even though it is not very popular, it is an Olympic sport. Appleton North senior

Eisch practicing his squat be- fore Nationals. Photo courtesy of Jaden Eisch.

Lady Lightning ready to build upon past successes this year

“together” is a major focus for the Lady Lightning. “Play together, win together, lose together. We are a team,” said Brekke. It will be another exciting year of girls’ basketball at Appleton North. The Lady Lightning are heavy favorites to repeat as state champions, but for now, it’s one game at a time. Brekke running the point in a game last season. Photo cour- tesy of Kari Brekke. Do you like writing about sports? Contact Kyle Hoffenbecker at HOF600040@stu. aasd.k12.wi.us

The Lady Lightning celebrating after winning their first state championship. Photo courtesy of the Appleton Post-Crescent.

talent. Seniors Kari Brekke and Sydney Levy lead a very athletic and experienced squad that still has a lot to do before Brekke, Levy, and the rest of the seniors on the team graduate after this school year. “The expectations are high, obviously,” said Brekke. “We need to focus on one game at a time, and not get too ahead of ourselves though. If we do that, we will be successful

this year.” Levy added, “We will focus only on the things we can control.” You never want to think too far ahead, or as the old saying goes, “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.” It is great that the Lady Lightning has that mental- ity of keeping one game at a time. Many teams, in all sports come off a champi- onship season looking for back-to-back titles all while

By Kyle Hoffenbecker

After the first state cham- pionship in Girls’ basketball history for Appleton North, let alone the history of Apple- ton itself, the Lady Lightning look to add to their past suc- cesses. Even though North lost one of their best players from last season to gradu- ation, Callie Pohlman, this team still has a lot of amazing

Levy in the state semifinal game versus Milwaukee King last year. Photo courtesy of Syd- ney Levy.