Keystone State Games: Powerlifting event delivers

KINGSTON — New to powerlifting but with only one competition under her belt, York County resident Dawn Byrd saw a Facebook post about the Pennsylvania Senior Games.

“They didn’t have powerlifting at the Senior Games, so I signed up for the Keystone Games,” said Byrd, 63, who won a bronze medal in Saturday’s powerlifting competition at the Keystone State Games.

Held at Dream Athletics on Division Street in Kingston, the competition consisted of bench press and deadlift. Byrd posted a 95-pound bench press and an outstanding 200-pound deadlift.

Not a bad indicator for a woman who took up sports less than a year ago.

Byrd said she was looking for a way to get back in shape, and as a former bodybuilder, she turned to powerlifting to help her regain some of that fitness, turning it into a fun new competitive drive.

Staying in Danville to care for her ailing father, Bird headed north to Kingston to check out the Keystone Games and left with a bronze medal in her debut event — and a new Dream Athletics shirt to represent the gym in southern Pennsylvania. .

After Saturday’s performance, Bird said she has two events coming up in the near future — one in West Chester and one in Lancaster, both a little closer to home for her.

When she gets to those meets, Byrd will be able to show off her Keystone State Games gear hanging around her neck as she looks to add more medals to her bag.

“I always knew I was strong,” she said.