Steve Pellegrino and Powerlifting

During the second year of my degree I decided to join the Oxford University Powerlifting Club, one of the choices that defined my Oxford experience. The team consisted of a fantastic group of guys and it was a lot of fun.

Powerlifting involves competition in three different lifts: the squat, benchpress and the deadlift. The squad of five trained intensely for six months, four times a week for two hours, in preparation for the Varsity competition against Cambridge University.

On 12 March 2005, the squad traveled to Cambridge and not only won Varsity but achieved the highest number of Wilks points (a co-efficient which takes into account body weight) ever in the history of the sport at Oxford. The three top Oxford lifters, including myself, all received a half blue. I was ranked third best lifter in the competition squatting 250 kilograms, benchpressing 170 kilograms, and finishing with a deadlift of 230 kilograms. The day was amazing and Cambridge was surprised by the large number of Oxford students which came out in support. The majority of these supporters were from Exeter College: James Kirkham, Patrick Chaaya, Maria Sciara, Ben Stone, Whitney Stone, Elizabeth Williams, Marnie Podos and James Aldige. Even some Exeter Alumni turned out. Michael Werner traveled from London and Alison Skodol traveled all the way from New York, both having graduated the year prior to the competition. The support that I received from the Exeter College MCR was something I found to be truly special and unique and is representative of the strong community to be found within our college.

In addition to Varsity, the powerlifting team also held two university wide competitions. The first was the Oxford University Benchpress Competition in November. The level of competition was impressive and a number of students competed. I was able to win the competition receiving the Champion of Champions trophy with a benchpress of 160 kilograms. The second was the Oxford University Deadlift Competition. The competition was open to lifters from outside of Oxford, and a number of nationally ranked powerlifters competed. I won the 'Best Oxford Lifter' prize and won my weight class with a deadlift of 210 kilograms. My roommate James Kirkam also won his weight class with a deadlift of 180 kilograms. At each of these competitions, again, there were several Exeter students there in support. Looking back, I don't think that I would have been able to accomplish what I did without my MCR which was there with me through each gut wrenching lift. Thanks guys.

Steve Pellegrino