Lift-athon raises nearly $10,000 for OPHS football

JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers WELCOME TO THE GUN SHOW- Oak Park High senior Jeremy Kral puts up 185 pounds during Monday night's Lift-athon. To raise money for better equipment and gear, the Oak Park High football team held a Liftathon in the school's gym on Monday night.

According to head coach Dick Billingsley, the squad raised nearly $10,000 during the weightlifting fundraiser. With other fundraisers on the horizon, Billingsley expects the program to raise an additional $6,000 to $16,000 by the first week of twoa-day practices in early August.

Lifting the most weight on the night was senior Seth Kaplan, who benched 185 pounds 19 times. Senior Trevor Goehring power cleaned 185 pounds 20 times.

Each athlete attained sponsorships for weight lifted per round. Some also collected flat donations ranging from $250 to $300.

"It was a great night," Billingsley said. "Not only was it a chance for us to raise money, it was an opportunity for parents to sign up for various volunteer activities, such as the chain gang, snack shack and working the scoreboard."

Billingsley said the event would not have been possible without the help of assistant coaches Dennis Stephenson and Terry Shorten, along with parents Ann Goehring, Beth Benton and Lisa Phillips. - Thomas Gase