Emily Plihal
Local Journalism
Initiative Reporter

Two Smoky River Region young ladies are set to make history as they head to Canadian Powerlifting Union (CPU) National Championships in February.

Gracie Labrecque, 12, and Dani Paterson, 15, are set to lift heavy as they compete in Moose Jaw at the tournament being held from Feb. 23 until March 1.

This is the first time a 12-year-old has competed in the national championships, and Gracie’s mother says she will set the precedence for future lifters her age and weight category.

“Youth powerlifting is still pretty new,” explains Gracie’s mother, Lexi Labrecque.

“She’s a first-time dinosaur, setting the bar for other kids that will compete in the future.”

Gracie is the lone woman lifting in the 52-kg group, and she says she hopes to influence other young women who are thinking about starting to powerlift.

“I had some troubles at school before I started to lift,” says Gracie, who has gained a lot of confidence since she started to lift at Iron and Elegance outside of Falher, and trained by coach Colby Laflamme.

“I also have asthma and lifting teaches you how to breathe properly. Now I can participate in more sports, sing, and do so many other things,” she adds.

Impressively, Gracie has personal bests that would rival many much older women, with a deadlift of 147.3 lbs, bench press of 70 lbs, and a squat capability of 110 lbs. This has all been accomplished in two short years of focusing on powerlifting.

Paterson started lifting three years ago, with her first meet in 2023 called Grit in Edmonton. Her powerlifting abilities are nothing short of amazing, with her deadlift personal best 232 lbs, squat 205 lbs and bench press 90 lbs.

She hopes people will choose to start lifting because she feels what you gain from the sport is incomparable.

“Get into it because it’s so fun,” she says.

“Everyone in the gym is so happy – well – maybe not when they’re doing their lifts, but when you leave you feel so great,” she adds.

“It helps with endurance and abilities in other sports too, it’s helped me throw harder in baseball, snowboard better because of stronger legs. It’s a good foundation for every sport.”

Right now, to train for Nationals, Paterson is training two days per week but leading up to the competition she will be trying to add one extra day to her schedule.

She also says it’s important to eat well and get lots of sleep.

Gracie says she also adds on a lot of home workouts, with squat drives being her absolute favourite exercise. She says she is lucky to have a gym setup at her home that allows her to stay active lifting.

The girls could also use some cheering from home, with their lifts taking place on Monday, Feb. 24. Gracie will compete in Platform 1, with a total of eight lifters taking the stage in both the Youth and Special Olympics categories. Their lifts start at 9 a.m.

Paterson will be hitting the stage on Platform 1 at 1 p.m. on the same day. She’s the first lifter in that flight of competitors, with a total of 21 lifters in the Sub-Junior Classic Women category. To qualify, the girls must compete one good lift in every category.

Lexi says the sport will be live streamed on the CPU website www. cpunationals.com.

“I’m hoping to qualify for World’s 2025 in Germany,” says Gracie about her goals in the sport.

“I’d also like to go to Junior Olympics or even Olympics one day,” she adds.

“I think going to World’s would be super-cool,” says Paterson of her goals.

“I will keep competing and try to compete at a higher level as I go,” she adds.

The ladies say they really like the pre-competition snacks, noting that they get Starbucks for a caffeine jolt, pancakes with their coach, doughnuts, salt and vinegar chips and Fuzzy Peaches among their favourites to give them a little pre-lift energy.

Paterson explains the cost of going to Nationals in Moose Jaw will be approximately $3,500 for fuel, hotel accommodations, team jackets, food, and other expenses. She says they will soon have a Cisco fundraiser that people can help support their endeavours through.

If you’d like to donate monetary contributions to the girls’ efforts, you can also please send etransfers to gracedanipower@gmail.com. Please put in the memo of the transfer which girl you are supporting with your contribution.