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Profile on : Meighan Roose

Each month, Strength and Beyond spotlights an individual who stands above the rest in the world of strength.

Meighan Roose began strength training with S&B editor George Petrides in 1998. Her initial goal was to enhance her field hockey skills. Within a year Meighan got the "iron bug" and decided to try her hand in the great sport of powerlifting. Now, four years later, Meighan holds 2 Gold medals in the Jr. Olympics and 4 national records in her "new" sport POWERLIFTING! In addition, Meighan will be playing field hockey at Johns Hopkins University next year.

S&B: Tell me a little about yourself.: Meighan: I am a senior in high school and have recently moved to Maine. I began powerlifting at the age of 14 as a freshman when I lived in Maryland. I have competed in the 109 and 114lb. weight classes.
S&B: Outside of Powerlifting, what else do you enjoy doing?: Meighan: In addition to powerlifting, I also play field hockey. I will be playing field hockey for Johns Hopkins University next year. I am a high school student and a part-time sales associate.
S&B: How did you get involved in powerlifting? What got you started??: Meighan: I got involved in powerlifting the spring of my freshman year in high school. My brother is a college wrestler and has always been lifting. I decided not to play lacrosse at school and began to work out with a trainer, like my brother, at a local gym.
S&B: What are your current best lifts in competition?: Meighan: I performed my best lifts at the 2001 AAU Junior Olympics. I squated 215lbs., deadlifted 230lbs. (missing my 240lb fourth attempt), and benched 110lbs, totaling 555lbs. These lifts were National records for the 114lb- 16/17 yr. division.
S&B: What are some of your other best lifts? br>: Meighan: My other strong lifts include power cleans and close-grip bench presses although I have never maxed out on them.
S&B: Tell us briefly what your training routine is like.: Meighan:I have a 12-week lifting cycle that I follow which builds off my "percieved maxes." During my field hockey season, I lift twice a week. Out of season, I lift four times a week. The core lifts that I focus on are squats, deadlifts, and bench presses. However, my other major lifts are powercleans, push presses, lunges, and close-grip bench presses. I work my entire body each day I lift. I don't have "leg days" or "upper body days" for example.
S&B: I‘ve noticed that you only compete “raw” (no squat suits, knee wraps, bench shirts, etc.). Why is this and have you ever thought about “suiting up“??: Meighan: I lift raw because I have no reason to be equipped/assisted. I like to feel the real weight when I train. Right now I lift to improve my strength and not to show the absolute maxes I can lift with suits, wraps, shirts, etc..
S&B: What do your friends think of your brutal strength?: Meighan: My friends are amazed. Because of my small size, people are often suprised and in disbelief when I tell them that I powerlift and compete. My friends think that what I do is awesome because they don't know too many girls who lift seriously. I have gained alot more respect and my strength has made up for my size.
S&B: Who, in the strength game, do you idolize and why?: Meighan: I idolize my high school field hockey coach who coached me as a senior. Coach Barb Marois was the captain of the 1996 US Womens Field Hockey team and has (and still is) played on numerous national teams. I idolize her because she has accomplished all that is possible in the field hockey world. With all her accomplishments, she does not flaunt any of them. She doesn't need to either; her strength and talent is amazing. Coach Marois is one of the strongest athletes that I know.
S&B: What is your true motivation to compete in powerlifting?: Meighan: The motivation to compete in powerlifting has come only from myself. I have developed a true passion for lifting...the weeks of training on my own and then proving my strength in competitions. I love the support I get from the huge guys lifting the competitions with me. I also love to accomplish things that once seemed impossible to me.
S&B: What is your ultimate goal in powerlifting?: Meighan: My ultimate goal in powerlifting is not to simple to win competitions; it is to stick with it. In my upcoming years, I will probably be lifting on a cycle designed for field hockey players. But, in my own time, I hope to continue powerlifting and competing.
S&B: Any final words?

Keep up the great work Meighan!