Heavy Lifting Required: OCHS Gridders Raise Funds, Boost Teamwork

 By Tim Kelly

Chris Armstrong approached the barbell, loaded with 570 pounds of iron. To hoist it off the ground would set the Ocean City High School weightlifting record. Armstrong paused before he made the attempt. Then he ran in front of the bar and whooped and hollered, much to the amusement of those in attendance.  He then reached down and lifted the bar and held it, to set the new record – albeit briefly. Just moments later, Armstrong’s teammate and good buddy Mike Willscroft duplicated the feat, again prompting cheers from the overflow crowd. Just another team bonding moment at Wednesday’s Fourth Annual Weightlifting Test event and fundraiser to benefit the Red Raiders’ football program. “It felt great,” Armstrong, the football team’s center, said of setting the school record. Earlier in the week, he set a second mark, lifting 515 pounds in the dead squat. He said he didn’t mind Willscroft tying him moments later. “We’re pretty close and we like to push each other,” Armstrong said. “He’s a strong guy.” For his part, Willscroft, a guard, put his feelings in football terms. “It’s good to know the guy next to me on the field is working so hard,” he said.

He also noted that Armstrong’s histrionics helped him hoist the record-tying weight. “It energized me,” he said. 

Ocean City Head Football Coach Kevin Smith urges on members of the squad during Wednesday night’s Weight Test Fundraiser at the high school. The event, held in the Raiders’ weight room, drew an overflow crowd of parents, friends and supporters of the program. “I was not expecting this kind of a turnout,” Head Coach Kevin Smith said. “We had to bring in more chairs.” Those who turned out cheered on the players, bought Ocean City football gear and “sponsored” lifters to help raise money for the program. “This is a great event,” said defensive line coach Mike Eisenstein. “We’re at the end of our winter (conditioning) program and this is a nice way to have some fun. One of the great things about this team and this school is how everybody roots for each other.” “The lifts you are seeing tonight are the results of these guys coming in here on a regular basis and working hard,” Eisenstein continued. “Tonight might be a competition, but it’s also a great teambuilding activity.” Armstrong agreed. “I’m training for my senior season. It’s important to get stronger and to be in shape,” he said. Willscroft gave his own candid reason for wanting to build his strength and conditioning. “I want us to avenge some of our close losses last year, especially the Mainland game,” he explained.  Cheered on by teammates, Chris Armstrong shows his strength while starting the record-setting lift. Coach Smith said he was gratified by his team’s efforts in the offseason, and the way the Weight Test event was received. “The support we received tonight was great to see,” Smith said. “We have a lot of people behind us.”