Weight lifting gives Poland’s Josh Pomerleau a big lift in field events.
MECHANIC FALLS – “Sculpted” is how one of his coaches describes him.

“Explosive,” says another.

To Josh Pomerleau, accolades are nice, but success on the field is much more important, and both have come after months of hard work.

“Last year I started hitting the gym all the time,” Pomerleau said. “I am working on the Bigger, Faster, Stronger’ program, and that has helped me improve so much in all of the sports.”

As spring approaches, Pomerleau’s focus has turned from the hardwood floor, where he was a point guard for the Poland Regional High School basketball team, to outdoor track.

Standing 5-feet-8-inches and weighing in at about 155 pounds, most would figure Pomerleau for a sprinter, or maybe a distance runner. He does those, competing in the 100-meter dash and in the long jump, but what sets him apart is other events: the shot put and the javelin.

“Those sports are much more about technique for me,” Pomerleau said. “It’s about getting an explosion from the legs. Most of the other throwers are much bigger than I am, and they rely more on strength from the arms. My strength comes from my legs.”

And much of that strength comes from working hard in the gym.

“He made a big commitment from last spring right through now and into next fall,” coach Rick Kramer said. “He’s improved his bench press from 145 to 210 in less than a year and his power clean has gone up more than 100 pounds.”

“When I was playing soccer, I didn’t have much time to come in after school with all of the practices and games last fall,” Pomerleau said. “So I started to come into the gym at school at 6:00 a.m. to get my workouts in.”

During basketball season, Pomerleau immediately noticed a difference. He was able to touch the rim easily, and his rebounding had improved. Now, with the snow gone, the weight room work has already started to pay off.

“He’s like Mighty Mouse out there when you see him work,” Kramer said. “Last year his best throw in the javelin was at 136 at the conference meet. His first throw this year in practice was 150.”

“When you look at him, you don’t think shot put,” coach Mark Soehren said. “He’s not a big kid at all, but he works hard.”

“My size is a disadvantage,” Pomerleau said, “but strength makes up for it.”
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