Only 7 percent of high school athletes will play a sport in college. It’s a stat that signifies just how difficult it is to make it to the next level.

Forest Hills Northern senior baseball player Sam Justice knew how tough it would be to get there, so he put in the work both on the field and in the gym at PowerStrength. 

After a lot of dedication and determination, he signed to play at Westminster College in Missouri starting next year. He is one of nearly 70 PowerStrength athletes in the class of 2024 that are playing a sport in college.

“It’s always been a goal,” Sam said about playing college baseball. “I never was 100% set on it, but then a lot of things fell into place with college, and that’s where I ended up and I’m really excited about it.” 

The transition from high school to college athletics can be difficult for the strongest of athletes, but with more than 3 years of training at PowerStrength under his belt, Sam is qualified for the challenge.

“It’s prepared me immensely,” Sam said about PowerStrength. “When I toured Westminster the coach told me that a lot of kids he talks to are putting on weight and putting on muscle and when he saw me he said that wouldn’t be an issue. I think that played a lot into getting the opportunity to play there.” 

STARTING EARLY

Sam started at PowerStrength at a young age, it was his first strength training experience of any kind and thanks to the atmosphere, he was instantly enamored with it.

He played travel baseball for Sluggers Sports Academy and participated in the team training at PowerStrength, a partnership that is now 5 years in and more successful than ever. It allowed him to set the foundation for future success from both an athletic and life skills standpoint.

“I think I fell in love with mostly the coaches and the kind of environment that it built,” Sam said. “I started with a group of my teammates so that made the transition a little bit easier. But as I kept going, I think just the constant support from the coaches or the other athletes that you’re going with, I think that’s what really kind of tied me in and made me continue to go.”

Sam learned how to be coachable, how to take criticism, how to get some wins and come back stronger the next day, and his confidence skyrocketed. Ready to move the needle even further, Sam signed up to be part of PowerStrength’s High School Athlete Training program and continued to flourish.

“I’ve seen some huge results, I’ve gotten a lot stronger, bigger, more confident, better leader,” Sam said. “This is a lot more focused, a lot more intense. I have more fun here than anywhere else.”

“I just think that there’s always such a good vibe and a good relationship,” Sam said. “At this point now I have a really good relationship with every single trainer and most of the kids so I can always go there expecting to be able to talk sports or just to talk about anything and have a smile on my face the whole time.”

PROPELLED BY PREMIER

Training consistently is paramount in building stronger, faster and more confident athletes. With Sam making it happen year after year, his progress was off the charts.

“I think I can just constantly make strides,” he said. “I think one year, my first time going to PowerStrength I was kind of just getting introduced. And then maybe I’m getting a little bit more experienced and then this offseason is kind of where I took the biggest step in the Premier (Advanced Training) program. I’m just getting more and more used to the lifts and the environment that’ll help you succeed.” 

Premier is the most advanced training program that PowerStrength offers, it is designed for those athletes that are serious about reaching another level. It is an invitation-only program and Sam earned his spot in the group.

He nailed it, seeing serious gains from the 3-month program setting himself up for a big spring on the baseball field.  Sam got bigger adding 10 pounds to his frame, faster as he dropped his fully-electric 10-yard sprint time by half-a-step, and more explosive.

“I was a little scared going into it,” he said. “But I don’t think there’s a better program around honestly, the bond that all of us kind of made throughout the entire winter. I think that’s something that you’re not gonna see anywhere else. I’ve had a great start to the season and I owe a lot of that to Premier.” 

FINISHING STRONG

Sam’s time in high school is fleeting. He and his FHN teammates are about to begin the single elimination postseason tournament. While he is excited about what lies ahead, the focus remains on ending his school career on a positive note.

“Definitely want to make a run in the playoffs,” Sam said. “We have a great group of guys so that’s definitely a huge goal. I just want to help the team as much as I can, put all this hard work to the test.”

No matter when his high school season does end, Sam plans to continue to use PowerStrength to get even more prepared prior to stepping on campus in the fall. 

He also expects to back each at PowerStrength during breaks from school as part of the College Training Program.

“This is a place that just means so much to me, and the results show for themselves,” Sam said.

GET STARTED AT POWERSTRENGTH 

5th-12th grade athletes of all sports and abilities can sign-up at PowerStrength at any time throughout the year – while spots remain. PowerStrength has 4 facilities in West Michigan – Alpine, Kentwood, Jenison, and Plainfield. 

Multiple training sessions are offered throughout the day and into the evening during the summer, specific training times vary by location. 

Visit https://powerstrengthpro.com/athletes to learn more or click below to schedule your assessment and get started.