He’s only 15 years old, but Michael Solt has already lifted himself onto the podium for several major powerlifting medal ceremonies.

In mid-April, Solt captured a bronze medal at the Powerlifting America High School Nationals held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, an event that featured 450 participants.

The Jim Thorpe freshman lifted a total of 1,135 pounds combined between the squat, bench press and deadlift events.

“I competed against ninth- and 10th-graders in the 205-pound weight class,” Solt said.

Each lifter cycles through three attempts at each lift, with the highest successful lifts counted toward their final total.

The events are judged, and a foul results in a disqualification for that specific lift. Fouls can be called for several reasons, including failure to observe the chief referee’s signals to start or finish a lift, double bouncing at the bottom of a lift, or improper body positioning throughout the attempt.

“Fouls happen to every lifter at one time or another,” Solt said. “You just have to accept it and not let it bother your mind before your next lift.”

Solt’s bronze medal at nationals follows his gold-medal performances at the Pennsylvania state championships. He won gold in the squat, bench and deadlift events two years ago as a seventh grader competing at 182 pounds, and again last year in the 205-pound division.

Powerlifting, one of the oldest international athletic events, has grown in popularity since the formation of the International Powerlifting Federation in 1972. The United States currently ranks fourth in the world in athlete participation.

“I really got a passion for the sport when I was in seventh grade after my uncle introduced me to powerlifting,” Solt said. “Only three months after I started, I won the state event for my age group at Parkland High School.”

Jim Thorpe coach John McGowan, who has coached lifters for 40 years, sees unlimited potential in Solt’s ever-improving abilities.

“I’ve been coaching for a long time, and Michael is already one of the best lifters I’ve ever had,” McGowan said. “He’s ahead of schedule for his age group. The normal range for the squat lift at his age is around 300 pounds, and Michael is doing about 430. In the deadlift, he’s already surpassing the typical mark by lifting 460 pounds.”

Solt’s parents, Melissa and Michael, have quickly learned about the sport and appreciate their son’s passion for powerlifting.

“As a former dancer, that used to be my passion, so I understand Michael’s love for lifting,” Melissa said. “Of course, as his mother, I can’t help but get nervous every time he lifts, especially during the bench press. It’s important that he has good spotters.”

Michael admits he feels some butterflies at competitions — but they don’t last long.

“Once I get through my first lift, I’m completely calm the rest of the way,” he said.

His father’s confidence comes from seeing his son’s commitment.

“He trains without having to be told,” his father said. “He stays in good shape by doing calisthenics, running, playing football and participating in track. He keeps his body flexible by maintaining that kind of diversity.”

At such a young age, Solt has both short- and long-term goals.

“I want to win the state tournament again, win nationals, and eventually make the junior Olympic team,” he said.

Despite his rigorous training and competition schedule, Solt also shines in the classroom, earning his name on the Principal’s List at Jim Thorpe for outstanding academic achievement.

Not only is he the only local student to win both state and national medals, he also competes on a team of 40 members from Jim Thorpe — the only high school powerlifting team in the area.

This Saturday and Sunday, Solt will defend his state title against lifters from across Pennsylvania. The event will be held at Jim Thorpe High School.