Topic: News: Lofty Goals Key to Andrew Trowbridge's Success

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

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Lofty Goals Key to Andrew Trowbridge's Success
By Buddy Shacklette

SOUTH DAYTONA -- Warner Christian's Andrew Trowbridge has always been a pacesetter, determined and very goal-oriented.

In fact maybe a little too goal-oriented.

After lifting a Class A best 775 pounds at sectionals, Trowbridge was the favorite to win the 238-pound state championship.

He figured a state title was the worst he could do, so he established some goals of breaking the overall bench-press record (480) and getting within striking distance of the state's total weight record (830).

The senior wanted to win in dominating fashion and leave everyone with something to talk about.

He did both, but not in his eyes.

"He's such a perfectionist. He won the state championship, but he didn't attain the goals that he had set for himself," Warner coach Andy Price said. "He doesn't even want a ring. The next week I thought he'd be over it. I think for him it's going to be a couple of years before he comes to terms with it."

Trowbridge won the Class A 238-pound state championship, broke the class record in the bench-press (475 pounds) and won in dominating fashion -- by 25 pounds over FSU High's William Granger.

It was a state title, but it was not what he had hoped for.

"I'm glad I won a state championship, but I just didn't do what I set out to do," Trowbridge said. "That's what kind of put a damper on it for me."

It was Trowbridge's pursuit of excellence and dominance of the sport that earned him The News-Journal's Male Lifter of the Year award.

Trowbridge became Warner's first state champion weightlifter in school history, and he was at least 60 pounds stronger than any other area lifter this season.

In fact, Trowbridge's numbers put him in some pretty elite company this year.

He is the third-strongest lifter in his class in state history and the sixth-strongest prep lifter in the history of Volusia County -- a county that boasts 37 state team titles and 159 individual state champions.

"It is a product of playing football. The first day he ever lifted weights he came in and benched 150 and that was at age 12," Price said. "His jumps are how he was able to get stronger and stronger and at a faster pace than most people.

"As far as being a gym rat, he would lift here and then go to Powerhouse and lift for two more hours."

Trowbridge was upset at not getting the overall bench-press record (480), totaling 800 pounds or giving himself a shot at the overall total state record (830).

In his disappointment, the 18-year-old didn't realize that those at Santa Fe Community College were in awe of his opening bench press (455), which he lifted with little difficulty.

He missed 475 on his second try, but got the weight on his third and final attempt. A 280 clean-and-jerk gave him an overall winning total of 755 pounds, more than any other lifter -- in any class -- at state.

Not bad for a youngster who wasn't sure his surgically repaired knee -- injured during spring football last year -- would allow him to compete.

The injury scared away many of the Division I schools who were recruiting Trowbridge for football. Trowbridge has committed to play football for Liberty University next fall.

"I didn't think that my doctor would actually let me do weightlifting." Trowbridge said. "And I didn't think that my legs would be strong enough to support a lot of weight.

"It wasn't until a couple of weeks before the season started that I figured out that I was going to be able to do it."

Andrew Trowbridge By the Numbers

150 The amount of weight Trowbridge bench-pressed at age 12

475 The amount of weight Trowbridge bench-pressed this season to break the 238-pound Class A state championship record

755 Amount of total weight Trowbridge lifted to win this year's 238-pound state title. He won by 25 pounds.

Volusia's Strongest Ever

Year Lifter School Weight lifted

2003 Nick Metakes Creek 820

1999 Robbie Reese Taylor 805

2002 Ryan Lacy Creek 790

1989 Eric Davis Creek 760

2003 Leshawn Newberry Creek 760

2006 Andrew Trowbridge Warner 755

1997 Mark Seiferth Creek 750

2000 Jason Trost Creek 745

2004 Allen Gibson DeLand 745

2005 Matt Monk DeLand 740