Local weightlifters set state records at recent meet

April 12, 2024  |  By Waterbury Roundabout 

Left to right: Shannon Wisdom, Matt Baron, Dylan Bailey, Ron Wisdom. Courtesy photo

Four local weightlifting athletes were among 20 who took part in the “Luck of the Lift” meet the day before St. Patrick’s Day last month at LiftVT in Williston.   

Most of the lifters at the event earned records across the board, some reaching the 1,000-pound club for the first time. Lifters participated in the squat, bench press, deadlift, military press, and strict curl events. 

Local lifters included Dylan Bailey of Duxbury, Matt Baron of Warren, and Ron and Shannon Wisdom of Waterbury. 

Bailey, a first-time competitor, competed in three lifts in the male 25-29 age division, 181 lb. weight class. He achieved a squat of 197.5 kg (435.41 lbs); a bench of 152.5 kg (336.2 lbs); and a deadlift of 217.5 kg (479.5 lbs) for a grand total of 567.5 kg or 1,251.11 lbs. Bailey set state records in the squat and bench press for his age and weight class.

Baron, also a first-time competitor, took part in three lifts in the male 25-29 age division, 198 lb. weight class. He achieved a squat of 200 kg (440.92 lbs); a bench of 147.5 kg (325.18 lb); and a deadlift of 237.5 kg (523.59 lbs) for a grand total of 585 kg or 1289.69 lbs. Baron set state records in all three lifts and for the overall total weight lifted for his age and weight class.

Veteran competitors Ron and Shannon Wisdom participated in single lifts. Ron competed in the male 55-59 division, 220-lb. weight class, and achieved a bench press of 160 kg or 352.73 lbs. Shannon competed in the 55-59 division, 148-lb. weight class and recorded a deadlift of 115 kg or 253.52 lbs. Both Ron and Shannon set state records in their divisions and weight classes. 

Bailey and the Wisdoms train at Dave’s Community Fitness in Waterbury Center and Baron trains at LiftVT. They thank their gym community members for showing up and cheering them on at the meet.