Pair of strongmen ready for Texas

On March 23, two Penn State students will travel to Fort Hood, Texas, to compete with some of the strongest men in the country. Junior Steve Mann and sophomore Erik Steiner will test their strength at the USA Collegiate Nationals of Powerlifting.

Mann and Steiner are among the top drug-free powerlifters in the world. Mann holds the American record in the squat at 661 pounds. He was also the 1995 Teenage World Drug-Free Champion.

Steiner has been the Pennsylvania State Champion in the teenage division for the last three years and is among the favorites at nationals.

The strongmen are seeking recognition for a sport few know of. Powerlifting is comprised of three events: the squat, bench press and dead lift. The best lift in each event is combined to determine the winner.

Powerlifting is slowly growing in popularity. Among the 53 countries involved competitively, the United States ranks in the top five. Mann and Steiner aspire to one day compete in the Olympics. For the past three years, the International Organization of Powerlifting has been talking with the Olympic Committee in the hope of qualifying for the 2004 Olympics.

Earning respect and recognition has been a long struggle for powerlifters. For years the sport has been linked to drug use. Many lifters on the professional level still use performance-enhancing drugs. The drug-free lifters are out to change this reputation. Lifters are required to take tests before each competition. They are also subject to mandatory testing any time of the year.

"Last year between the months of January and May I took five drug tests," Mann said.

If a lifter fails to attend a test, he is automatically suspended from competition for three years.

Lifters also deal with the expenses that come with each event. The sport, not recognized by the NCAA, lacks sponsorship. Luckily, for Mann and Steiner, the Penn State Activities Council agreed to fund the trip to nationals.

Lifters are not allowed to accept cash prizes. If they did they would be disqualified from Olympic competition.

"You must enjoy it to be involved," Steiner said. "No fame, no fortune."

The strongmen have been competing since high school. They train three times a week in the East Halls Gym and are willing to talk to anyone seriously interested in powerlifting.

At nationals, Mann will compete in the 220-pound weight class, while Steiner will test the 198-pound weight class.

"I expect to win," Mann said.

If he does win, he could compete for the World Jr. Championships this fall in Budapest, Hungary.