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'I’m still hungry for more’ By Kevin Opsahl Updated: Sep 09, 2022 06:23 PM A A North Medford High School graduate Baylie Ward sets six world records in powerlifting competition Baylie Ward set six world records for her age and weight class during the World Powerlifting Congress’ World Cup in Idaho Falls, Idaho, Sept. 1-3. [Andy Atkinson / Mail Tribune] Baylie Ward perfects her technique at Urban Fit in Medford. [Andy Atkinson / Mail Tribune] On an early Friday morning at Urban Fit in Medford, North Medford High School graduate Baylie Ward’s neck muscles bulged as she lifted more than 200 pounds. And that was just a warmup. “The feeling of heavy weight on your back is one of the greatest feelings in the world,” Ward said. “It makes me feel powerful. The heavier the weight, the stronger I feel.” The 19-year-old was back home from setting six world records for her age and weight class during the World Powerlifting Congress’ World Cup in Idaho Falls, Idaho, Sept. 1-3. Linda Higgins, a longtime promoter of the competition, was impressed. “She’s built for it,” Higgins said. “She’s physically strong and really just in awesome condition. I’ve seen very few girls as strong as she is that young.” For her division (18-19 years old) and weight class (132-148 pounds), Ward — who weighed in at 140 pounds — secured three world records: 182 pounds for bench press (previous record was 170.5 pounds); 332 pounds for deadlift (previous record was 330 pounds); and though she did not break a world record for her squat lift (she lifted 298 pounds), Ward broke division and weight class “total” world record, with 812 pounds. Ward was credited with six world records due to the fact that she broke records in the drug-tested version of these competitions, as well. Ward decided to sign up for both versions of the competition because she qualified, but she does not take any performance-enhancing supplements. “I 100% believe in keeping my body natural,” Ward said. Natural seems to be the way that Ward lets life take its course. A cheerleader and runner, Ward started lifting for recreation at 14 years old to become a better athlete. It was only at the encouragement of friends and family that she started to do it competitively. “I really started to think about it as a possibility. It was something I was so passionate about and really loved,” Ward said. When she finished off cheerleading at Brigham Young University, Ward committed to powerlifting. She signed up with the American Powerlifting Federation, which hosted several meets — and the rest is history. “I went from training like an athlete to training for pure strength and powerlifting techniques,” said Ward, who has competed in only three competitions since June. “It’s evolved into a lifestyle for me.” Doug Ward, her fitness buff father, worked out with Baylie in their home gym when she was younger. Though it was never done for competition, the elder Ward is not surprised by his daughter’s pursuits. “Baylie only has one speed — it’s either zero or 100 miles an hour,” Doug said. “So I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised when she decided to become a powerlifter or break world records, but it’s still pretty amazing she was able to accomplish that.” As a young woman who is getting ready to trade in the gym for an 18-month Chilean mission with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Ward is in the gym most days soaking up the positive energy she feels coming off of a world competition. “The gym has always been an outlet for me,” she said. “It’s just a place for me to come be in my element and feel like myself and do something for me.” After her mission, Ward plans to finish schooling at BYU and obtain a degree in exercise science. She hopes to become a trainer at a gym here at home and perhaps open one of her own someday. For now, the record-setting powerlifter still has that competitive spirit. “I’ll never be satisfied with the weights I push — even after this competition, after breaking the numbers I never thought I would even reach,” Ward said. “I’m still hungry for more, and I want to get stronger. I don’t plan on slowing down.” Reach reporter Kevin Opsahl at 541-776-4476 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @KevJourno.