It takes a lot of hours, days and years of determination to achieve what senior Colin McIntyre did on Jan. 20 … earning a first-place win in the Oxford Regional State Qualifier Powerlifting Competition! 

At the state qualifier event Jan. 20, Colin competed in the 242-lb. weight class (while actually weighing 230 lbs.). He won his weight class by a margin of 300 lbs.!

With at least a hundred competitors, his overall combined lifts totaled 1,400 lbs. It was the most weight lifted, including more than the 275-lb. and 294-lb. classes. 

The win qualified him to compete – and to represent  De La Salle Collegiate – at the Varsity State Powerlifting Meet in Lake Orion on March 9. 

Colin was part of the powerlifting team at De La Salle (led by faculty member Brent Castine) until COVID hit in 2020, when it dissipated. 

He was aware of other high school leagues and wanted to pursue competing. So, he reached out to Oxford High School, which led him to his first competition last week. 

He plans on continuing his education at Michigan Technological University and studying mechanical engineering. “I’d love to continue to do powerlifting competitions,” Colin said. But, if he can’t find an already established program, he said he’d be more than willing to start a club.

Since his childhood, “I’ve been lifting constantly,” Colin said. As a result of his first powerlifting competition, none could be prouder than his father, Darryl McIntyre, who is also his strength and conditioning coach (in addition to being recognized as a coach through the Michigan High School Powerlifting Association). 

“I’ve been in the weight room since I was a kid,” Colin added. “If I wasn’t messing around with mats or if I was bored … I’d start working out.”

For anyone who considers powerlifting, Colin suggests training daily and eating well. “Some say to take time off but I don’t,” he added. 

And, protein-heavy meals help a lot, but the best food he eats to build himself up? Easy, he said: “Mom’s cooking.”