At just 16 years old, Pinecrest High School junior Caleb Heaton has already made a name for himself in the world of powerlifting. Balancing his time between football, lacrosse, and the weight room, Heaton set three North Carolina state records in July at the USA Powerlifting “Unleashed in the Southeast” competition, which was held in Wilmington.
Heaton’s lifts included a 210-kilogram squat (462.97 pounds), a 237.5-kilogram deadlift (523.59 pounds), and a 577.5-kilogram total (1273.16 pounds), numbers that put him in elite company for his age group. On top of that, he holds five world records, including those set last year at the 365 Strong World Powerlifting Federation International competition in Statesville.
Heaton will now put his focus on the USA Powerlifting Southeast Regionals, scheduled for October in Florence, South Carolina. With the meet on the horizon, his training is underway.
“I love to win and succeed, and I want to see what I’m capable of,” Heaton said. “That’s what keeps me motivated to put in the work.”
For Heaton, powerlifting is more than just strength; it’s a mental challenge that requires preparation and discipline. In the weeks leading up to a meet, he sharpens his focus, adjusts his diet, and lightens his workload in the gym to ensure he’s ready to perform at his best.
“I like powerlifting because I’m really competing against myself,” he said. “It takes self-motivation, and it’s on me to put in the work.”
That mindset has served him well since he first picked up weights, and he really began to take it seriously and compete at the age of 13. Introduced to the sport by his father, who is also a competitive lifter, Heaton began training five days a week. His father continues to coach and guide him through the competitions.
Though lifting has become a central part of his life, Heaton also finds time for traditional team sports. On the football field, he plays guard, and on the lacrosse team, he lines up on defense. While those sports challenge him in different ways, he said powerlifting offers something unique.
As October approaches, Heaton’s eyes are set on Florence. With a growing list of records already under his belt, he hopes his next meet will be another step toward discovering just how far he can go.
If you would like to read more feel-good stories, please email your news or ideas to [email protected].
~Article by Curtis Self, a Sandhills Sentinel reporter and owner of Moore Daily Sports. Follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
For Moore news delivered straight to your inbox, please click here to sign up for the free Sandhills Sentinel e-newsletter.
