Merritt Island Fitness Club Youth Powerlifting Team Scores Huge Victory at World Championship – Space Coast Daily

Merritt Island Fitness Club’s Youth Powerlifting Team competed against 400 contestants from 12 countries

You can assist the Merritt Island Fitness Club’s Youth Powerlifting Team with a donation as they prepare for the 2025 World Championships. Call 321-302-9960 or email fitnessclubpowerlifting@gmail.com to become a sponsor!

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – They may look like regular teenagers, but you may want to keep from ever irritating the members of Merritt Island Fitness Club’s Youth Powerlifting Team because these kids could probably lift you over their heads if they so wished.

Nine team members lifted their way to five first places, plus second and third spots, in their weight and age classes at the recent 100% Raw World Powerlifting Championship in Virginia Beach, where they competed against 400 contestants from 12 countries.

The Competition is the top event of the 100% Raw Powerlifting Federation, established in 1999 to highlight powerlifters competing with no special “support” equipment.

They are the premier drug-free organization of its kind in the world, with more than 8,000 lifters in its worldwide membership. All meets are urinalysis drug-tested, ensuring that athletes are 100 percent drug-free. 100% Raw Powerlifting events have become some of the most successful and popular drug-free sporting events outside the Olympics.

Fitness Club’s team’s performance also earned them first place in the Team Championship at the World Powerlifting Championship. Most teens in the 15 to 17-year-old bracket can routinely deadlift and squat more than 300 or even 400 pounds, and some have surpassed the 500-pound mark.

Seventeen-year-old River Dennis, for example, weighs only 130 pounds, but this son of a NASA scientist deadlifted 407 pounds at the championship and accomplished a squat of 253 pounds and a bench press of 214.5 pounds.

“I’ve got some of the strongest kids,” said team founder and trainer Frank Buzzo, with well-deserved pride, for Buzzo has been instrumental in honing these young athlete’s skills.

The “elder” of the team, 20-year-old McKenzie Davis, is also the sole girl in the group and a formidable contender, deadlifting 346.5 pounds, squatting 280.5 pounds, and doing 148.5 pounds on the bench.

“She’s the toughest of them all, and she can probably deadlift 375 pounds, but she’s also such a sweetheart,” Buzzo said.

McKenzie is also extremely dedicated and exemplary in her can-do attitude. A nursing student at the University of Central Florida, she holds two jobs during the week and works at the Fitness Club in Merritt Island on the weekends. The first time Buzzo saw her working out three years ago, he knew she had the talent and drive to succeed.

In addition to McKenzie and River, team members include Jarrett Smith(385.5-lb. squats, 187 bench and 440 deadlift), Ethan Underwood(264 squats, 225 bench and 313.5 deadlift), Caleb Hoats(225.5 squats), 275 deadlift), Jack Mosier(346.5 squat, 187 bench and 374 deadlift), Devin Schlaske(346.5 squats, 203.5 bench and 401.5 deadlift, Lucas Pollock(484 squat, 275 bench and 511.5 deadlift), and Drayton Bereit(324.5 squat and 374 for deadlift).

Team members train several days a week under Buzzo’s tutelage. Buzzo, a former world champion powerlifter, launched the team to pay back the love and support he has received from everyone at the Fitness Club.

“Big Frank,” for years a familiar figure at the Fitness Club, had an extremely close call in 2022 when the then 71-year-old athlete was doing a round of 425-pound repetitions at the gym, and the reps proved too much for someone his age.

He went into cardiac arrest, collapsing on the gym floor, not breathing, and without a pulse.

Fortunately, Fitness Club owner Lou Manley had automated external defibrillators, or AEDs, available at the facility, and all his staff are trained in CPR and basic life support. Team member Manny Shaw immediately connected Frank with one of the defibrillators as Frank’s buddy, Erik Johnson, helped.

Retired firefighter and practicing nurse Dana Allen happened to be exercising at the Club that day and provided additional assistance during precious seconds that kept Buzzo alive. Thanks to them, Buzzo was again conscious and breathing by the time the emergency team from the Sheriff’s Office and EMS arrived.

The gym was packed that day, yet when Frank went into cardiac arrest, the more than 100 members exercising reacted in unison by going on their knees to pray for him.
A few weeks later, Buzzo was back at the club. His lifting days may be over, but he was ready to help the next generation of weightlifters.

“We never had this kind of program before Frank,” Manley said. “Unless he is out of town, you will see him at the gym helping the kids.”

Not only does Buzzo share amply of his time, but he is also generous with his treasure. Nine thousand dollars of the $12,000 needed for the team to compete in Virginia Beach were from Buzzo’s own wallet. Hopefully, more community support is in store, particularly since the Youth Powerlifting Team has met all the requirements as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, so donations to the organization are now tax-deductible.

“We accept donations to allow these youths to be able to compete nationally,” Buzzo said. “One hundred percent of the proceeds are used for entry fees, hotels, travel expenses, equipment and meals.”

A lot of opportunities lie ahead for the team next year, including the state and national high school championships and, again, the 100% Raw World Championship, which is slated for the end of 2025 in Dubai. Buzzo admits he can’t afford to send the team to Dubai with his own money, but he is going to do anything he can to help them get there.

“We wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Buzzo said.

He is planning several golf tournaments to raise funds for the trip. As the local community gets to know the potential of these young athletes, Buzzo is certain Brevard’s well-known generosity will step in to help.

Buzzo’s dedication to the Youth Powerlifting Team is awe-inspiring. He spends probably a full-time job’s worth of hours each week helping them or orchestrating their next event. If he is out of town, there is a good chance he is with the team at their many competitions.

“I have the pleasure of working with a great group of kids that are dedicated to being the best that they can be and I am very proud of them,” he said.

To become a sponsor for the Youth Powerlifting Team, contact fitnessclubpowerlifting@gmail.com, where details are available on donations via bank app. Tax-deductible donations via check can be mailed to Fitness Club Youth Powerlifting Program, 2760 Pine Lily Lane, Cocoa, Florida 32926.