Falkville’s Mason Moore shines in powerlifting debut

Mason Moore, a senior at Falkville High School, has recently made a remarkable entry into the world of powerlifting. Known for his athletic prowess on the football and baseball fields, Moore was introduced to powerlifting through the school’s strength training program for football.

Moore’s strength coach, Tim Womack, who also serves as an assistant football coach at Falkville, recognized Mason’s potential early on. Despite weighing no more than 180 pounds, Moore stood out as one of the strongest athletes on the football team. Womack, a competitive powerlifter with more than 20 years of experience, holds certifications in strength and conditioning, powerlifting, and Olympic weightlifting.

“I started lifting in seventh grade when I was 13 for football, and I fell in love with lifting,” Moore said. “Then, in my ninthgrade year, Coach Womack came, and he gave me tips on how to get better at lifts. I used those tips, and it helped me get stronger. I enjoy lifting because it’s my escape place. I’m not the most athletic guy or the best at sports, but I do pretty well in lifting.” On Feb. 1, Moore competed in the USA Powerlifting Alabama State Championships held in Irondale. Entered in the Raw Teen 3 (18-19) and Open Divisions of the 182.5-pound weight class, he weighed in at 174 pounds. He showcased significant progress during a short training cycle, culminating in a stellar performance.

Mason squatted 424 pounds, bench pressed 242 pounds and deadlifted 402 pounds, achieving a total of 1,069 pounds. He won the Teen 3 Division and placed 2nd in the Open Division, becoming a state champion in his very first meet. To put this into perspective, Moore totaled more than six times his body weight.

This impressive total also qualified Moore for the USA Powerlifting High School Nationals on May 1 in Appleton, Wis., exceeding the qualifying total by 77 pounds. However, with baseball season ongoing, Moore is uncertain if he will compete at this meet. Nonetheless, he plans to continue powerlifting and aims to qualify for the Raw Nationals later this year, the largest and most prestigious competition with more than 1,000 entries.

“My future plan is to continue powerlifting,” he said. “I want to go to Wallace State to weld, while also training with Coach Womack to do more powerlifting meets.” Womack expressed his admiration for Moore’s dedication. “Mason’s commitment to his training and his passion for powerlifting have been truly inspiring. I knew he had the potential to excel in this sport, and he has proven himself to be a formidable competitor,” he said.

There is also interest from Blue Mountain Christian University in Mississippi, which has a powerlifting program and offers scholarships. The coach, who attended the meet, expressed interest in getting Moore on campus for a visit.

In addition to powerlifting, Womack incorporates Olympic weightlifting, consisting of the Clean & Jerk and Snatch, into the training program at Falkville. These lifts build overall power, speed, and explosiveness, creating strong athletes who can move quickly in space. Mason has excelled in these lifts as well, cleaning 245 pounds and performing a perfect snatch from the floor.

Womack believes that Mason’s weight training has greatly benefited him in football, baseball, and life. Before his senior season, Mason volunteered to play center at 175 pounds, recognizing a need on the offensive line. He not only held his own against larger opponents but also made Honorable Mention on two All-Area teams.

“Mason is the perfect example of what an athlete can achieve in our strength and conditioning program when they commit to learning and consistently doing the work,” Womack said. “It has been my pleasure working with and coaching Mason and helping him achieve success in everything he does. His powerlifting journey has just begun, and with his work ethic and desire, he will only get better and better.”