More than 130 athletes took the platform at the fourth annual Miller Wellness Center Classic Saturday.

For the second year in a row, the meet was shared with the Special Olympics of South Dakota, who hosted their state powerlifting meet on two of the platforms. Nearly 90 Special Olympic athletes lifted alongside college students and community members.

Jacob Heidenrich is the fitness and aquatics coordinator at the Miller Wellness Center. His mission behind the meet has always been to make it more approachable for everyone.

“We are trying to make the sport of powerlifting accessible to college students,” Heidenrich said. “Usually powerlifting comes with a big registration fee, there are rules and regulations such as wearing a singlet, that can make it difficult for college students. We take away a lot of that to try and expose college students to the sport and make it fun.”

Last year, the meet drew 52 competitors. This year’s turnout was similar, before counting Special Olympic Athletes. This year the meet featured athletes ranging from 16 to over 50 years of age.

There is a large amount of preparation that goes into hosting a meet of this size, Heidenrich said. He has spent the last six months slowly getting everything into place. His goal is to create an event that athletes look forward to each year and keep coming back for.

“They have found something at the Wellness Center that they enjoy and look forward to every year,” Heidenrich said. “We want to show off how great our facility is and make it a great experience for the athletes and spectators.”

Part of that preparation involved bringing in community sponsors. Local businesses including The Cove, GNC, Kool Beans and more set up booths throughout the facility. They offered samples, merchandise and support for both athletes and spectators to enjoy.

Competitors received a free t-shirt, medals for all podium finishers and a chance to win raffle prizes such as an Echo Dot and AirPods.

The meet drew several families to the platform. Three sets of parents and children competed side by side. One mother-daughter duo placed first and second in their division. Grace Schwan, a junior at SDSU, competed in the event for the third year in a row, alongside her mother, Angie.

“I really like the atmosphere,” Grace said. “I think involving Special Olympics is really cool.”

Angie Schwan agreed, saying the community is what brought her to compete.

The supportive environment is what Heidenrich hopes the event continues to foster.

“Strength is for everyone, and this sport can be for anyone,” Heidenrich said. “Anyone can compete. It is a really supportive environment for something that so many of us do, which is lifting weights.”