News-Press selects athletes who stand out before based on a combination of coach reports and school nominations and our coverage submitted to Sports@news-press.com. These athletes are voted every Monday at News-press.com and as our readers, you vote for the person you think you did it the best. Winners of the News-Press Athlete of the Week poll sponsored by Elevate Home Services will receive a BSN Sports T-shirt and a USA Today High School Sports Awards tote bag. To better understand the winners, the News Press will have a Q&A session with each athlete.
January 27th News Press Athlete of the Week sponsored by the winner of FEB’s Elevate Home Services. One was Bishop Lainey Hooper, a weightlifter for Verot Girls, with a 53% vote. The senior won regional championships in traditional and Olympic lifting in the 129 pound weight class. She traditionally had a lift of 290 pounds and 270 pounds at the Olympics to win nominations.
Question: How did you start weightlifting?
Hooper: So I’m always naturally just as strong. In my freshman year, I saw them offering it here at Verot and I just wanted to try it and ended up loving it.
How was it to see the program grow as a freshman?
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Hooper: It’s great to see the program grow. So we ended up winning regional titles in the traditional category from runner-up in my freshman year. And my third year, our program was completely revamped. And you know, the form was really emphasized and everyone decided to come along with strength training and do their best work.
What advice would you give to new students who want to be weightlifting or become high school athletes?
Hooper: My advice is if you show up every day, be consistent, put everything in and are willing to put the work in, you’ll get the results you want.
If you weren’t weightlifting, what other sports would you play?
Hooper: Maybe track, I’m wrestling, so I’m not sure.
How did you get into wrestling?
Hooper: I started my second year. They should wrestling because the weightlifting girls seemed strong. And I was, ok, I think I’ll give it a try.
What do you think you’ll be doing in the future?
Hooper: I want to go to school for wrestling, but I’d like to continue to lift weights in the future, hopefully compete and continue from there.
