The sounds of metal crashing on metal and heavy breathing rattled around the room. Leigh Russell lifted the heavy weight, breaking a record in the process.

Lewis-Palmer sophomore Leigh Russell broke several weightlifting records in Ranger Power. Ranger Power is a strenuous physical activity class which focuses on increasing the strength and explosiveness of athletes.

“I broke the record for cleans, deads, benching and militaries. It makes me feel accomplished and allows me to set new goals for myself,” Russell said.

Cleans involve squatting down, grabbing the weight lifting bar and standing up. Deads focus on squatting down with the bar and then standing up before dropping the bar.

“Benching involves lying down, then extending your arms to your chest and up while holding the bar,” Russell said. “Militaries are leaning against someone while sitting on a bench and extending your arms up.”

Russell is a swimmer who joined Ranger Power to get ready for the upcoming girls season. Last season she was primarily a backstroke and freestyle sprinter.

“It feels good to know that I keep improving,” Russell said, “but at the same time I don’t feel completely accomplished knowing that there is always still more I can do.”

Russell believes that if she continues to work hard, she may be able to increase the amount of weight she lifts even further.