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The Croswell-Lexington freshman easily took first in his weight class at several meets this season before sailing to a state title, and most recently, a top finish at a national competition.

Fairchild capped a strong season the weekend of March 30, taking third place in the 123 pound weight class of the 9th and 10th grade division at the USA Powerlifting High School Tournament in Alexandria, Louisiana.

"He has been blowing away his competition in everything he has been doing this season," said Cros-Lex Powerlifting Coach Mike Holes. "I was really proud to see him come out on top."

Fairchild qualified for the national meet by lifting the minimum weight of 680 pounds in front of tournament directors. The following day he entered the tournament, lifting a combined total weight of 754 pounds in the bench press, squat, and dead lift.

Holes says he was impressed by the freshman's presence against steep competition.

At Michigan meets, lifters are separated into two categories, those lifting with equipment and those without. At the National contest, all lifters were lumped in one category, which left Fairchild competing against athletes with bench press shirts, squat suits, wrist wraps, and knee wraps. He was the only one in his category not using equipment.

"He went down there with just a pair of long socks, a T-shirt, and some tennis shoes, and he took third," his coach praised.

Fairchild is relatively new to powerlifting, finding the sport by accident earlier this year.

As a member of the freshman basketball team, he spent several days a week lifting weights with Holes. Holes recognized his talent and suggested that he try competing with the school's two-year old powerlifting team.

Though his only previous experience was lifting during football season and with Middle School Wrestling Coach Joe Lilly, he took to the sport right away.

He took first place at meets in Peck and Vassar, before taking the state title and breaking a state record in his weight class, with a total lift of 770 pounds.

"He is a naturally strong kid," Holes said. "All we did was make sure his form was correct."

Fairchild, who also runs track for Cros-Lex, hopes to return to powerlifting next year. His goal? To take the national title and break the state squat record.

As for Holes, he hopes Fairchild's success will generate interest in the powerlifting team.

"We definitely got excitement building in the right direction," he said.