Blog
Lyla Vogt’s Three-Year Climb to All-American
Lyla Vogt was still a young athlete when she first walked into PowerStrength a little over three years ago. She wasn’t chasing a specific title or accolade — she just wanted to be better.
Three years, countless testing days, and one full commitment to lacrosse later, she’s earned All-Conference, All-State, and All-American honors — and she’s committed to continue her career at Lincoln Memorial University in Tennessee once her senior season at Rockford wraps up.
THE START
“I’d say I just wanted to come to PowerStrength because I wanted to be a better athlete. Stronger. Faster. All the above — gain that edge over other athletes,” Lyla said. “And I think the gym is where that starts.”
As a younger athlete, walking into a gym alone can feel intimidating.
PowerStrength’s built-in structure — expert trainers, a group of athletes working toward the same goals — made that first step easier.
“Being in a place where you have trainers, and you have other athletes with you, I think that’s just more welcoming, and it’s easier to get started coming to the gym.”
GROWTH THAT NEVER PEAKS
Three years in, growth is still the headline.
“I’ve gained so much from coming to PowerStrength. Each time we test, I see so much growth. And I think that’s just the biggest part — that I keep growing, and there’s no peak here,” she said. “They push you so hard that it’s so good for me. I need that to grow.”
When she started, Lyla split her time between lacrosse and field hockey. Last Summer, an important time for recruiting, she made the call to go all in on lacrosse.
FASTER TO THE BALL, HARDER TO BEAT
The gains show up in the moments that decide games.
“I’m definitely faster each time I go to run the ball up the field, go to get a ground ball. I’m always beating my competitors there, and I think that’s the biggest part — that’s kind of where it all starts. You’ve got to get to the ball first in order to keep possession.”
Defensively, the difference is just as clear.
“My one-v-ones have become so much better, just because I’m so much stronger and I can hold them out for longer.”
THE HONORS TO PROVE IT
As a Sophomore, Lyla earned All-State honors. This year, she was All-Conference, All-State, and All-American.
“I think all the honors I got this year have just been so great to see. And I think the gym has been the biggest part of that. You can be good at your sport by catching and throwing, whatever it is. But being faster than everyone else, being stronger than everyone else, and having that edge over people — that’s coming from the gym.”
THE COACHES AND THE CULTURE
Over three years, Lyla has trained under the watchful eye of PowerStrength’s certified coaches, who push her.
“It’s been great to get to know them, and they get to know me. You kind of see how they work, and they push you in different ways. To have different ones train you each session is kind of great to see.”
The environment sticks with her as much as the workouts.
“It’s just a great environment. They’re also nice, so kind. It’s always great coming in — I’m always excited to come in.”
THE MENTAL EDGE
The strength gains built something less visible, too.
“I’ve been so much more confident coming into PowerStrength. You see all these athletes that are so much better than you, at a higher level, all ages — you get so much of that, and it gains you so much confidence.”
That confidence followed her to prospect camps and, eventually, to the recruiting table.
“I’ve gone in there being more confident because I know I can hold my own with other athletes… I think that’s just a lot of confidence, and I’ve gained so much discipline — knowing I need to be in here three times a week, whatever it is.”
TRAINING THROUGH EVERY SEASON
Even in-season, Lyla keeps coming back.
“I have the in-season package. I train about once every other week, give or take, in-season here.”
Staying consistent, even at a reduced volume, protects everything she’s built.
“Definitely getting in here during season, you just continue growing, and you don’t lose any of those benefits you’ve already gained.”
THE NEXT CHAPTER: LMU
This Spring, Lyla committed to play lacrosse at Lincoln Memorial University, a Division II school about an hour north of Knoxville, Tennessee.
“I visited there and I just kind of fell in love. All the coaching staff was really amazing, and then the team culture — I did an overnight, and they were also great to me.”
Academics played a major role, too. Lyla plans to attend medical school, and LMU’s campus includes its own med school.
“They have an amazing pre-med program, and I think that’s a big part in my decision as well… I was looking at many colleges of all different levels — D1, high D2, mid-level D2. I want to make an impact coming in my freshman year. I don’t want to sit the bench for all four years.”
She also credits PowerStrength with previewing what’s ahead.
“Training with other athletes — it’s kind of going into college, you’ll have your team lifts and things like that. PowerStrength has shown me what that would kind of look like, and it’ll make that transition easier.”
ADVICE TO THE NEXT ATHLETE
Asked what she’d tell an athlete considering PowerStrength, Lyla didn’t hesitate.
“I’d tell them to join. Even if it’s for a month or two, I think it’s a great introduction to the gym. They train you, and you learn how to actually train properly in the gym. It’s a great culture and environment to get better with others.”
Asked to finish the sentence “PowerStrength is,” she landed on this:
“PowerStrength is more than a gym. I think it’s a place where you can learn to grow as a person and grow as a player as well, and I think it’s a great place to do all of those things.”
WANT TO SEE BIG RESULTS?
3rd–12th grade athletes of all sports and ability levels can sign up at PowerStrength at any time throughout the year while spots remain. Choose the PowerStrength location most convenient for you — Alpine, Kentwood, Jenison, Plainfield, Holland, or Byron Center.
Visit powerstrengthpro.com/athlete/contact/ to learn more or click below to schedule your assessment and get started.