Middletown High School North Senior Patrick Devine represented the Lions and the state of New Jersey during the 2024 Powerlifting America High School National Championships held at the Hilton New Orleans Airport, the official hotel for this championship.
Devine, who has been training very hard over the past four years under Middletown High School North strength and conditioning coach Marc Rosamilia, placed 3rd in the country. According to Devine, “If it weren’t for Coach Rose, I probably wouldn’t have been lifting today and I have to thank him for that. He has played a crucial role in starting this journey and also in helping me find my love for strength training. He also has inspired me to hopefully to become a coach someday.”
From April 19-21, 2024, Devine competed in three main categories while representing the 130 lb weight class. Patrick dominated these events with personal bests, including the squat (374.8 lbs), Bench Press (198.4 lbs) and the deadlift (391.3 lbs).
“I wanted to compete against the best in my nation in hopes of qualifying for Sub Jr / Jr Worlds this year, but wasn’t able to as I did not win my weight class,” stated Devine.
Patrick displayed great determination during this competition and the Middletown community is extremely proud of his representation. As part of the Power and Pride Lifting Club at Middletown High School North, Patrick saw an increase in his strength over his high school career through utilizing the school’s weight room facility.
According to Coach Rosamilia “Pat has been a staple of consistency in the weightroom since his Freshman year and has also emerged as an ambassador for introducing the sport of powerlifting to his peers. Pat has earned the respect and admiration of many fellow classmates and is always willing to offer support and encouragement”.
According to the Power lIfting USA website, “Powerlifting America is dedicated to the promotion and the support of amateur drug-tested powerlifting within the United States.The Mission of Powerlifting America shall be to support United States athletes to achieve excellence in local, national and international competition and to support, promote, and educate a diverse and inclusive community of powerlifting.”
Patrick believes that lifting weights at Middletown North provides students with an opportunity to better themselves both physically and mentally. “Lifting allows me to escape from life for a little bit and be able to put any of my negative emotions into a lifting as a healthy stress reliever. It’s also how I’m able to express myself and all the hard work that I put into this 6 month prep,” stated Devine.
Patrick plans on continuing to compete and his next competition will be a local meet at PWRBLD Gym in Warrington, Pennsylvania. Patrick plans to try again next year to make the USA National Team while also pursuing a career with the Union Local 164 in Paramus, New Jersey to become an apprentice electrician.
The entire Middletown Community is extremely proud of you Patrick! Keep following your passion.
Photos via Mrs. Joan Minnuies (X account)
