Scheppler continues rewriting state powerlifting record book

Marshfield native Mack Scheppler, fifth from left, is surrounded by his support staff after breaking two state records at a recent USA Powerlifting meet in Cudahy. Standing, from left, are Ben Wright, Matt Scheppler, Travis Lutz, Jenny Scheppler, Mack Scheppler, Kathy Scheppler, Becky Holland, Gracie Holland, and Carl Foemmel. Kneeling are Jenna Foemmel and Garret Holland. (Submitted photo)

This story is sponsored by: the Marshfield Chaparrals Baseball Club

By Paul Lecker
MarshfieldAreaSports.com

Mack Scheppler is continuing his assault on the state powerlifting record book.

Scheppler, a three-sport athlete at Marshfield High School before graduating in 2013, recently broke a pair of state records at the Sweet Applewood Open in Cudahy on July 22. The meet was sponsored by USA Powerlifting.

Scheppler, competing in the 145-pound/66 kilogram division, set the new Open Wisconsin and Junior Wisconsin state deadlift record with a lift of 500 pounds, topping the previous mark by 15 pounds.

Scheppler just started competitive powerlifting in 2016 and the meet in Cudahy was his second this year. He said he has a goal of competing at a national tournament in 2018. He won the Male Raw Open division at the Pure Fitness Spring Open in Mequon in April.

“I plan on competing in powerlifting as long as I physically can,” said Scheppler, who recently graduated from the Police Academy at Northcentral Technical College in Wausau and is trying to pursue a job as a police officer. “I plan on competing in Raw Nationals in Oct. 2018, in Spokane, Wash. I enjoy the sport of powerlifting because you are constantly seeing the results of your hard work and there is always room to improve. I can always get better with powerlifting, I can work toward a stronger squat or a stronger deadlift, ect.”

Scheppler now owns six state records in USAPL meets. In addition to the two set in July, he owns the Open Wisconsin deadlift and total lift, and the Junior Wisconsin deadlift (567.7 pounds) and total lift (1,207 pounds) records in the 163-pound division. Both were set in April 2016 at the Cudahy Open.

But it isn’t the pursuit of records that keeps Scheppler, 22, interested in the sport, it is the people.

“The main thing that keeps me in the sport is the people that I have met along the way,” Scheppler said. “(Chili native and national strongman champion) Carl Foemmel has always taken time to write up programs for me and help me in training. I want to spread the knowledge he has taught me to as many people as I can. That’s really what the sport is all about…learn, lift, and pass on.”