Editor’s Note: Recently Editor-in-Chief Kenny Varner sat down and interviewed former Mifflin County Multi-Athlete and Lebanon Valley swimmer and weightlifter Rachel King. She is heading to compete in a world weightlifting competition in November. King is a 2021 graduate of MIfflin County high school.

HS: Are you still swimming along with weightlifting or have you just put your concentration on lifting?

RK: I just finished my four years this past season. So, I was done in February. I started powerlifting three years ago. I kind of did it on and off during the off seasons. So a majority of the swim season from September to February was all based on that. It’s kind of like six month and six months.

HS: How did you get started competing in powerlifting?

RK: My roommates boyfriend got me into it. He thought that I should do it as he was also trying it out. So I said okay, so I trained heavier for a year I think it was. So we both signed up. It went really well. That first year I did WRPS, one of the many different federations. That federation was basically out of New Jersey so I had to travel for that. So I didn’t stay with that one. So I went there and then I got one of the state records for either bench lift or deadlift. That was two years ago.

So last year, I just did one competition. I did one that you didn’t have to sign up for a federation because you have to pay more.

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HS: So how did it go?

RK: So I found one in York. For that it was RPS federation. I got the bench press record for that. This year, I started training with my new coach Jim. So, now I train with him.

HS: Are you currently competing in a federation?

RK: Yes, the federation we are working with now is called 100 percent raw. It was one of the first federations that was tested. We did this meet in May and that’s when my numbers started going up because the swim season was over.

After that meet, I now have the state records in deadlift and bench press. Then I got the national record in my weight class and age in the deadlift.

So that was pretty cool. That’s whenever we qualified for Worlds.

HS: Do you think splitting time between swimming and weightlifting has helped in your overall development in powerlifting?

RK: Yes, I started out swimming distance and I ran cross country. Later in my high school year’s I did sprints and that definitely used more fast switch muscle fibers but I have seen even recently with training for powerlifting, whenever we do higher reps I am able to keep higher intensities compared to a one rep max. Swimming definitely helps the upper body strength That is definitely where I can see the difference.

HS: What is your favorite event?

RK: It’s definitely deadlifting. That is my favorite. My least favorite is squatting. Deadlifting came to me right away.  We haven’t down much technique on it, it just sort of clicked.

I also really like benching. That has a lot more technique, just with all the rules and everything.

HS: What would you say your favorite part of competing is?

RK: I just love to compete. Even when swimming was over I was ready to move on. After that I wanted to see when the next time I’d compete (in weightlifting). When’s the next competition I’m going to sign up for?

So that’s one of my favorite parts. With powerlifting I don’t get nervous. I feel more ready but in swimming I felt nervous. But with this I do it all the time.There is a different comfort level and confidence level I have with powerlifting that I didn’t have in swimming or even cross country when I ran. With weightlifting I just feel ready.

HS: What different states have you competed in?

RK: The first one was in New Jersey. The second one is in Maryland and the last two were in Pennsylvania.

HS: Where will you being for World Competition?

RK: It’s in Ashland, Virginia on November 22nd.

HS: What advice would you give to younger lifters that are just starting out?

RK: Find a training partner, even if it’s just one. They will help you stay accountable. Even just asking someone to help. In the beginning I was too timid to ask people that I knew were more knowledgeable. Now I wish I would have asked sooner. Honestly, just have fun. If you’re not excited and having fun try something else.