May 22, 2025
Sports | Prairie Advocate
Sports

Eastland freshman powers way to world records in weightlifting competiton

By Photo submitted

Eastland High School freshman Elijah Dertz deadlifts 440 pounds – an Amateur American Powerlifting Federation world record for his division and weight class, during the AAPF Nationals May 27 in Lombard. Eli also broke world records in the squat (420 pounds) and total (1,094 pounds combination of heaviest squat, bench press and deadlift). He competed in the Teen Raw 13-15 Division in the 198 pounds weight class. Eli also broke the AAPF state record for the bench press with a lift of 270 pounds. Eli earned varsity letters for both football and wrestling this past year and was awarded honorable mention all-conference for his performance on the wrestling team. (Photo submitted)

Eastland High School freshman Elijah Dertz deadlifts 440 pounds – an Amateur American Powerlifting Federation world record for his division and weight class, during the AAPF Nationals May 27 in Lombard. Eli also broke world records in the squat (420 pounds) and total (1,094 pounds combination of heaviest squat, bench press and deadlift). He competed in the Teen Raw 13-15 Division in the 198 pounds weight class. Eli also broke the AAPF state record for the bench press with a lift of 270 pounds. Eli earned varsity letters for both football and wrestling this past year.

and was awarded honorable mention all-conference for his performance on the wrestling team.