Kelsey Trombly Raises the Bar in Downriver Powerlifting
Choosing to dedicate time, energy, and focus to a sport like powerlifting comes with its own set of challenges. For female competitors, those challenges can feel even greater. But when Huron Township resident Kelsey Trombly made the decision in 2023 to step into the world of competitive powerlifting, she knew exactly what she was signing up for.
Kelsey’s journey into the sport wasn’t just a spur-of-the-moment decision—it was in her DNA. Her father achieved a world record bench press when he competed as a powerlifter so naturally, she grew up hearing about the sport. Encouragement from both her brother and boyfriend pushed her further toward a full commitment to competitive powerlifting.
It’s not an obvious path for a former volleyball standout from Huron High School, who even played a season at Schoolcraft College before shifting her focus entirely to a male-dominated sport like powerlifting. With little mainstream visibility, limited funding opportunities, or widespread recognition, getting fully into the sport had its own set of obstacles, particularly for a young woman. Powerlifting’s social biases and stereotypes can add even more hurdles to overcome.
A female lifter gravitating to powerlifting and actively proving their strength in a sport traditionally dominated by men is a stand out accomplishment. Powerlifting has seen a noticeable rise in female participation in the U.S., though women still represent a small fraction of competitors. For Kelsey, thriving in this environment meant staying focused on her strength, honing her skills, and maintain focus to prove herself in this physically demanding sport.
Excelling in any athletic endeavor comes down to three key traits: dedication, consistent training, and persistence. Kelsey embraced all three, making an immediate mark in her first year of competition. She quickly gained recognition by setting state records in squat, bench, and deadlift while securing first-place finishes in her first three meets. In just over two years of competing in the sport, Kelsey has made astonishing progress, winning 6 National and 8 State titles.
Her commitment to training is evident, not just in her performance but in the way she approaches powerlifting’s simplest yet most demanding objective—moving maximum weight in a single rep. In addition to working as a personal trainer, Kelsey trains at Raise the Bar (RTB) in Lincoln Park, learning from fellow lifters and refining her technique to compete at the highest levels.
Kelsey’s ambitions match her relentless drive. After achieving state and national records in all three lifts during a “Best in Meet” performance last year, she’s now laser-focused on taking things further. Her goal? Earning world record-holder status in the squat, bench, and deadlift for the 75kg/165lbs Juniors (20-23) Division at the World Powerlifting Congress (WPC) 2025 APF/AAPF Nationals, set for June 12-15 in Royal Oak.
