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Levi Bamber helped coach a group of local student powerlifters to IPA state records at the Tiny Meeker Classic in Houston at the end of April. They were: Jessa Bamber, Cassidy Adair, Hailey Lauth, Marshall Daniel, Jaydyn Gonzalez and Adam Spharler. | submitted photo
2012 Dublin High School graduate Levi Bamber is used to breaking records in the weight room but it felt different as a coach to see his student lifters setting amateur records themselves at the IPA Tiny Meeker Classic in Houston at the end of April.
“It was kind of emotional,” Bamber admitted.
This pride was likely enhanced because the youngest member of his team was his daughter Jessa, who set four state and world records for IPA in the amateur girls under 13 division. Although she lifted in the 97 pound class, she is actually well under that weight and still managed a total lift of 325 with 132 in squat, 55 in bench and 137 in dead lift.
DHS senior Marshall Daniel managed to get a total of 1,245 pounds, setting 4 records in the 165. This total was 160 pounds higher than his final in Regionals earlier this year, with 451 in squat, 352 in bench and 440 in dead lift.
“He put it all together at this meet,” said Bamber.
2023 DHS graduate Jaydyn Gonzalez set four state records in the 181 with a total of 1,025 after lifting 363 in squat, 297 in bench and 363 in dead lift. Bamber noted this lift was impressive because Gonzalez kept up with his personal bests after losing enough weight to drop into a lower class.
2023 DHS grad Adam Spharler set 4 state records in the 148 with a total of 981 after lifting 363 in squat, 242 in bench and 374 in dead lift.
Bamber commended the work ethic of all three of the guys above, saying they have been lifting with him at the DHS gym for the past two years, often four to five times per week.
DHS senior Cassidy Adair set four records in the girls’ 198 with a total lift of 903 after lifting 336 in squat, 231 in bench and 336 in dead lift.
The final member of Bamber’s team was Hailey Lauth of Ranger who set four records in the amateur girls’ 165 with a total lift of 585 (215 in squat, 132 in bench and 232 in dead lift).
Bamber reported that both Adair and Lauth didn’t miss a lift all day, completing every attempt.
The results have qualified all of the group to lift in the worlds championship event in Bristol, Tennessee in October. Each of the lifters has already been signed up the meet.
Bamber reported that powerlifting has always been a “kind of therapy” for him. “No matter what problems I’m facing the weights in the weight room always weigh the same,” he said.
“I had no plan to coach at all,” he admitted. But then students started showing up to lift with him and his wife, Courtney at the DHS weight room. Bamber is appreciative to the school for the use of the Dublin ISD facilities and he was able to offer some extra coaching to students willing to lift outside of school hours.
It was the ability to share in their successes and his own that started his love of coaching. He’s seen those with him hit personal records and grow as people, breaking through shyness and other obstacles.
“It gives me a reason to get through the day,” he said, adding that they teach him as much as he does.
“If I’m having a bad day, they give me a different perspective,” he said. “We’re a family. Everybody’s got a job and we look out for each other.”