Richard Sapcut knew that Team Powerhouse had a good chance to compete at the USA Nationals this past weekend in Columbus, Ohio.

But even he was taken by surprise by the team’s performance, taking first place in the overall team competition, second place in the high school division, with nine members taking first and one, second place. Plus, several set new American records at the powerlifting meet.

“I really didn’t expect us to do so well,” Sapcut said. “I didn’t even plan on entering a high school team. Our high school kids did awesome.”

In all, 13 members of Team Powerhouse made the trip to the Buckeye State, and all came home with hardware to signify their success.

Josh Miller broke three American records, and Sapcut said that he impressed everybody that saw him. Miller totaled 1,242 pounds in the 220 high school/teenage division, which won him first place. Andrew King, who Sapcut describes as “a 14 year old monster” also impressed, totaling 1,213 pounds in winning first place in the superheavyweight high school/push pull division.

Cody Sapcut, Brad McClure, Jordan Whitehead, Mark Swanner, Cora Whitaker, J.T. Hall, Matt Montgomery, Jason Smith and Clint Poore also brought home first place trophies for Team Powerhouse. Nathan Brumback placed second in his division.

“Cody, Josh and Andrew had only been training for this meet about five weeks,” Sapcut said. “They did awesome. Cody and Nathan really stepped up and helped us win the title.”

For Mark Swanner, the win was especially sweet, as this was his first competition. He competed in the 165 pound class, where he lifted a total of 518 pounds in the push-pull, which consists of the dead lift and bench press.

“They kept calling out names, and the finally called out mine for first place,” Swanner said. “I didn’t expect first place, by far. Now my goal is to keep improving, and this makes me want to compete even more.”

Jordan Whitehead not only won his division (198 pound Junior Class), but just missed setting a world record in the dead lift at 600 pounds. Nevertheless, he totaled 1,391 pounds.

One person who did set a record was J.T. Hall, who works out at the Lexington Athletic Club and is the NASA Kentucky Chairman. He benched 592 pounds in the 220 pound class.

And Sapcut, who won the Law Enforcement and Master’s I divisions, would love to see Team Powerhouse continue to grow.

“I’d like to have around 50 members,” Sapcut said. “And it doesn’t matter age or gender. Anybody that has the desire and competitive edge can join us. And money isn’t an issue. We’ll find a way to get you to be able to train and get you to the tournaments.”

Sapcut, a former Army drill sergeant, believes in the motto “no man gets left behind.”

“If you’ve got the dedication and want to put in the work, I want to bring out the best in you and show you your full potential,” Sapcut said.

He also noted that, without the help of sponsors and family, Team Powerhouse couldn’t have pulled this off.

“I want to thank all of our sponsors,” Sapcut said. “Sheriff Fred Yaden loaned us a vehicle to drive up to Columbus in. Baymont Inn in Columbus gave us discounts on our rooms, and all of the other sponsors that helped us. Thank you very much. And to the parents of the lifters. They all did their part to help us.”

Sapcut also wanted to add a thanks to Brad McClure, who not only won his division (165 pound Power Sports), but also helped coached the team.

“I coached all day Saturday, then Brad coached on Sunday, which allowed me to be able to compete,” Sapcut said. “He curled 155 pounds, and that’s unheard of at his weight. He got me started back, and by him coaching on Sunday, that took stress off of me so I could do my lifts. That makes a big difference.”

He also wanted to give a shout out to Danny McAlarmis, who, due to health reasons, couldn’t make the event.

“He was missed,” Sapcut said. “Danny won his weight class in the bench press at state, but he came up with some health issues. The entire team’s heart goes out to him.”

If you are interested in joining Team Powerhouse, you can call Powerhouse Gym at 878-0011 of the Laurel County Sheriff’s Department at 864-6600 and leave a message for Richard Sapcut.

Denis House can be reached at sports@sentinel-echo.com.



Team Powerhouse

Team 1 Total, 9,883 Pounds

Team 2 Total, 6,274 Pounds

Richard Sapcut, total 1,321 lbs., first Law Enforcement and first Masters I

Cody Sapcut, total 1,016 lbs., first place, 181 lb. High School

Brad McClure, total 925 pounds, first place, 165 lbs. Power Sports

Jordan Whitehead, total 1,391 lbs., first place, 198 lb. Junior Class

Mark Swanner, total 518 lbs., first place, 165 lb. Push Pull

Cora Whitaker, total 446 lbs., first place, 132 lb. High School

J.T. Hall, total 592 lbs., first place, Bench Press, 220 class

Josh Miller, total 1,242 lbs., first place, 220 High School/Teenager

Andrew King, total 1,213 lbs., first place, superheavyweight High School/Push Pull

Nathan Brumback, total 1,002 lbs., second place, 181 lb. High School

Matt Montgomery, total 639 lbs., first place, 181 lb. High School/Push Pull

Jason Smith, total 716 lbs., first place, 181 lb. Push Pull Teenager

Clint Poore, total 535 lbs., first place, 220 lb. Bench Press equipped.