Powerlifters Win Fifth Straight State Title

The Xaverian Powerlifting Team won its fifth consecutive State Championship and in the process set numerous state and school records. The deep and diverse team placed all 17 lifters in the top three places with 1 third place, 8 second places and 8 first place results.

Paul Freeman ’08 (above) won the title for best powerlifter overall in the championship competition and Best Lifter in the second session (heavyweights).



Doug Orsi ’08 (above) was named Best Lifter Session 1 (lightweights).

The team is led by powerlifting and varsity football coach Al Fornaro ’78 who has presided over the team since its inception in 1984. “This team is successful because these guys work flat-out hard-Period,” said Fornaro.

Below are the records achieved at the championship competition:

Xaverian Records

123 lbs. Class Senior: Doug Orsi ’08 squat 285, bench 225, deadlift 305, total 815 (body weight) BWT 120

148 lbs. Class Freshman: Nick McDaniels ’11 squat 245, deadlift 330, BWT 139

148 lbs. Class Senior: Ryan Quillard ’08 bench 205, BWT 147.5

198 lbs. Class Sophomore: Ryan Moore ’10 squat 450, bench 300, deadlift 550, total 1300 BWT 213

242 lbs. Class Senior: Paul Freeman ’08 squat 570, bench 340, deadlift 540, total 1450 BWT 236

State Records

Doug Orsi ’08 squat, bench, deadlift and total were all state records

Ryan Moore ’10 bench was a state record

Paul Freeman ’08 squat, bench, deadlift and total were all state records

Coach Fornaro would like to thank fellow Hawk alumni Mike Galante ’92, Jon Zadrozny ’96, Joe Walsh ’07, Steve Ritucci ’97 and Ed Minelli ’07 who helped at the meet. A special thank you goes to Jack Dustin ’10 for wrapping knees and assisting the lifters.