Ryker Sharp, a 15-year-old Gloucester resident, set 10 state records with his performance at the USA Powerlifting Virginia Novice Open in Haymarket earlier this month, lifting a combined 500 kilograms, well over 1,000 pounds, across three lifts.

His deadlift, bench press, squat, and total weight amount not only set records in his age bracket and weight class, but overwrote records in other teen amateur categories, as well.

Sharp’s weight totals were a 475-pound deadlift, a 265-pound paused bench-press, and a 358-pound squat. This performance catapulted him to entry in High School Nationals, which will be held in Texas in March 2020.

The Gloucester resident also registered for the Holiday Havoc competition, held in Manassas this December, and will use that as a training opportunity to gear up for national competition.

Despite his record-setting performances, Sharp believes he can do better. “It felt great to set 10 records and I hope to break all 10 of them again on Dec...