Bingham's Justin Sorensen is not a typical kicker.
The BYU-bound senior shook off an ankle injury to compete in Thursday's High School State Power Lifting championships at Bingham High School. Not only did he compete, he set a new state record in his weight division for the power clean lift as he hoisted 345 pounds.
"I didn't really plan on competing today," said Sorensen, who was one of three prep athletes who set a state record in the power lifting competition. "I hurt my ankle about five weeks ago running, and I had to go put a brace on today."
Sorensen said he opted to lift, despite his coach Dave Peck's advice not to compete, because he wanted to fulfill one last high school dream.
"It was my dream to get 365 at this meet," he said. "You only get one shot. I love this."
Sorensen said he's not sure why more kickers aren't interested in lifting weights.
"Kickers have so much more free time," he said with a grin. "I don't know why it's so weird."
Peck said he believes Sorensen's unique because he didn't really want to specialize in kicking. His freshman and sophomore year he played fullback and line backer.
"I could see he had the abilities to kick at a high level," Peck said. "If he'd continued to play fullback or linebacker, he would not be the same kicker we're seeing today."
Provo High athletes set the other two records at the competition. Junior Michelle Glasgow, who weighs 130 pounds, set a new record in the power clean lifting 185 pounds. Sophomore nose guard Likio Pope (242 pounds) set a record in bench press, lifting 365 pounds.
Glasgow, who competes nationally in power lifting, said competing against a gymnasium full of football players was intimidating at first.
"It was scary," she said. "Usually when I compete there are the same number of women as there are men."
She shook off the nerves and easily broke the state record in front of a loud crowd of high school coaches and football players who were all impressed with both her strength and her form.
"Once I lifted, then I wasn't so scared," said Glasgow amid congratulations from fellow lifters. "I workout in the same weight room as the football players, and coach Pope just asked me if I wanted to come, just for fun."
And though there were only two other girls to compete against, Glasgow, like most of the lifters, was just trying to compete against herself.
"I am trying to be competitive," she said. "I always try to win."
E-mail: adonaldson@desnews.com