KSG Powerlifting competition lifts off in Kingston

KINGSTON — The field of competitors was small, but the weight being thrown around was anything but as the powerlifting portion of the Keystone State Games was held on Saturday afternoon.

Five powerlifters took to the bench press at Dream Athletics, looking to earn medals and qualify for the State Games of America, coming up in 2026 in State College.

The competition was separated into several categories by age and weight class, but the routine was the same for everyone: three reps on the bench, to see how much they could press.

That is, except for Larry Nolan — the 67-year-old not only took his turn on the bench, but was the only competitor in the group to also take part in the deadlift.

“I’m just trying to stay in shape. … The Games are a good incentive,” Nolan said. “I’m competing in the swimming event tomorrow.”

Nolan lives in Bayville, N.J. — a nearly three-hour drive from Division Street in Kingston, where Dream Athletics calls home. Because of the next State Games of America being held in Pennsylvania, the Keystone and Senior Games this year serve as a qualifier for that event, and athletes from neighboring states are welcome to attend and try their luck.

He’s competed in the Senior Games eight times, and looks forward to seeing old friends and meeting new people.

“I love the competition, and I love the networking and camaraderie,” Nolan said.

The word “camaraderie” was used by all five competitors when asked about what made these Keystone Games competitions so much fun.

It was evident on Saturday — the lifters all helped one another with spots, by helping load the plates onto the bench press and with high fives and fist bumps after each lift.

“It’s cool to lift, and have people cheering you on,” said George Smith, a Bryn Mawr resident who participated in the track and field competition last weekend.

Smith, 61, was the second-place finisher in the 60-64 category, while 60-year-old Jack Rubio took first place in the age group.

Rubio’s no stranger to competitive lifting: he’s competed in several different countries and in several prestigious tournaments around the United States.

“I just competed in the Arnold (Sports Festival) back in March,” Rubio said, referring to the national strongman competition named after Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The final two lifters both came from Laceyville, and will both head home with gold medals: Bob Vandemark won in the 55-60 age bracket, Eugene Ryan in the 70-and-over group.

The two had almost completely opposite origin stories when it came to getting their start in lifting: Ryan started lifting when he was in school, and has competed in the Keystone Games several times.

Vandemark, on the other hand, was a first-timer to this competition, and his love for lifting stemmed from a very specific — some might say “incredible” — source.

“I’ve loved it since I was 14,” he said, “when I met Lou Ferrigno at the Avoca airport.”