Hunter Mellinger, a dedicated student-athlete and Senior at PVHS, recently etched his name into the record books by breaking two significant weightlifting records. A four-year football player who currently starts as both right tackle and defensive tackle, Hunter’s journey into weightlifting began during his freshman year as part of summer training. “Football was my introduction to weights,” Hunter explained, emphasizing how the sport necessitated strength, which drew him into the weight room.
Hunter’s inspiration to excel in weightlifting comes from a deeply personal place. “Probably younger me,” he shared. “I’ve always wanted to be one of the best to ever play football, and that goal has been in my mind since I was little.” This internal drive has fueled his relentless pursuit of excellence, pushing him to surpass limits and achieve his best.
“Hunter keeps both of those boys (himself and Matt Lopez) on track,” Coach Mike Colucci shared. “If anybody wants to cut a corner or take a rep off or take a workout off or not eat right, Hunter is on top of them.”
His training regimen is intense and methodical. He typically trains four to five days a week, with a focus on heavy pyramid sets for squats and meticulous, rep-focused clean movements. Hunter’s dedication and discipline paid off when he broke the school’s squat record with a lift of 545 pounds, surpassing the previous record by 10 pounds. Additionally, he broke the clean record, previously held by his best friend Elijah Begin, by lifting 320 pounds, five pounds more than the former record. Both records were broken at the end of the 2023-2024 school year.
Breaking these records was a moment of immense pride for Hunter. The weight room, where he feels most comfortable, became a place of celebration as his teammates and coaches cheered him on. “It was a real fun and intense environment,” Hunter recalled. “The only thing I did after I hit the lift was go straight to the record board and change that zero to a five.”
Hunter’s future goals are just as ambitious as his past achievements. He aims to squat 600 pounds before graduating and hopes to increase his clean to 340 pounds. Despite falling just short of the prestigious 1800-pound club, his current total of 1710 pounds places him in the 1500-pound club, a remarkable achievement in itself.
“Hunter has definitely made it part of his lifestyle,” Coach Colucci said. “He’s always trying to get in here and get extra work in. It’s just about staying steady with it.”
Beyond weightlifting, Hunter is also focused on his future in sports, whether in football or track and field. “I’d love to play football at the next level, but I’ve also got schools reaching out to me for shot put and discus,” he shared. His track and field coach, Coach Thongstisubskul, known as Coach T, has been a significant influence, motivating him to reach new heights. “Coach T has been the best human being probably to motivate me in chasing my goals as an athlete,” Hunter said, highlighting her support and guidance.
When asked about advice for future students aiming to break school records, Hunter emphasized the importance of balance and perseverance. “Always focus on being very balanced. Never give up on yourself. Always have confidence in yourself; be your number one fan.”
Hunter Mellinger’s story is one of determination, discipline, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. His achievements in weightlifting and football are a testament to his hard work and dedication, setting a high standard for those who follow in his footsteps.
