OSHKOSH (NBC 26) — At O-Town Iron Gym, two powerlifters are practicing hard for their upcoming competition as the only representatives from Wisconsin competing at the U.S. Powerlifting Youth Nationals in South Carolina.
“It feels like a getaway from (all) my problems and it makes me happy,” said Aubrey Hickey, of Oshkosh, who will be a college freshman next fall.
“It’s fun being able to compete with other kids,” said soon-to-be sixth-grader Bentley Del Vecchio.
Alex Del Vecchio
Del Vecchio started powerlifting to get stronger for football, and as an offensive line center, there are two areas where powerlifting has helped him.
“Power and explosion,” he said.
John Miller/NBC 26
He won his first meet in February, a special moment for Bentley and his father, Alex, who trains him and is the powerlifting coach at Oshkosh North High School.
“Honestly, I cried,” Alex said. “It was a big moment for me, knowing that we did it together, that we came together as a family and helped him achieve something he’ll never forget.”
Alex Del Vecchio
Hickey also trained under Del Vecchio and took up powerlifting to get stronger on the mat, and she’s a pretty good wrestler.
“I feel like I’m not scared to step out of my comfort zone anymore, and I’m not scared to do wrestling,” she said. “I feel like I can do it.”
John Miller/NBC 26
Hickey, who recently took up powerlifting, also won his first competition in February.
“She’s just so dedicated,” Del Vecchio said. “She never gives up and she puts in the time and effort, which is exactly what you want in an athlete.”
Both Aubrey and Bentley will compete in the Youth National Championships in Greenville, South Carolina, but Aubrey and her coach aren’t concerned with winning or losing.
“You’re just beating yourself,” Hickey said. “The ranking is just a number.”
“They don’t even have to win, but it’s really nice to know that they’ve pushed themselves to the next level and see the joy on their faces when it’s over,” Del Vecchio said.
