by Ashton Eley.

The off-season football players put on their annual Liftathon, May 2. It’s a day full of heart-pounding, muscle-straining lifting to see just how far each player can go.

All players were required to recruit sponsors to help raise money for the team. Each player’s goal was to raise more than $50. Last year the team raised around $5,500 total.

“We ask for pledges per pound or just outright donations. Most get family members to sponsor them or sometimes businesses,” coach Paul Calley said.

Calley sponsors the liftathon mainly to raise money for the team.

“We do this because we are poor,” Calley said. “We do this to provide for the big family we have.”

The liftathon helps offset the cost of items not covered by the football budget, like socks and T-shirts. Calley said most people would be surprised by how much just a pair of game socks cost.

“Two pairs of game socks cost more than $12, and then multiply that by 100 players. It can be expensive,” Calley said. “The donations provide needed items for our players that out budget can’t.”

On the day of lifting, the players start with base weight and work their way up until they unsuccessfully attempt a weight three times.

The top lifters were junior Tyree Reese with 345 pounds, junior Tim Kelly with 330 pounds and sophomore Josh Farnsworth with 320 pounds.

“The main reasons we do the liftathon is to showcase our individual strength, measure our progress and share it with others that would normally have no clue how strong we are,” Calley said.