Jacobs graduate flexes his way to Estonia
Andy Cabindol has put the flex in Jacobs High School’s Flex PE program.
The 2022 graduate, now entering his junior year at New York University, will compete at the FISU University World Championships in powerlifting, July 23-27 in Tartu, Estonia.
“It’s kind of like the Olympics, but it’s for collegiate athletes,” said Cabindol, 20. He’s in Boston this summer, in an internship position with Force Factor, an exercise nutrient supplement company. Naturally.
“It’s actually funny, because I didn’t do any sports at Jacobs,” Cabindol said.
He did take the District 300 Flex PE course. Instead of taking gym classes at school he received a heart monitor that tracked his physical exertion for 30 minutes a day in an outside activity, in addition to other class requirements.
Cabindol chose to take that heart monitor and his muscles first to a health club and then to a powerlifting gym, Warhouse Barbell in Huntley. His first powerlifting competition was in May 2022.
“I think it’s really cool seeing your stats go up,” he said.
“The thing about powerlifting, the work that you put toward powerlifting is really not that exciting. You have to be in the gym for like two hours five days a week. It gets pretty hectic during the school year especially during finals season,” said Cabindol, whose college major is interactive media arts.
He said he has found a balance, and in his freshman year at NYU he also found a coach, Nicholas Lin, and a gym — JDI Barbell in Tribeca.
Cabindol and Lin in March went to the Powerlifting America University Nationals in Reno, Nevada, a qualifier to this month’s FISU competition.
Cabindol lifted the same total weight as his chief competitor in the three disciplines — squat, bench press and deadlift — but finished second in his 66-kilogram weight class because he was .15 kilograms heavier.
Both advanced to the world competition, where behind a Frenchman they’re seeded second and third at 66 kilograms, or 145.5 pounds.
Cabindol has several reasons for optimism in Estonia. To reach his weight class for the University Nationals he had to cut about 14 pounds in a month, which reduced his power. He’s since maintained that weight while he’s gotten stronger.
In Reno he benched 147.5 kilograms, about 325 pounds. His prior best was 308 pounds, and Cabindol said the FISU record at his weight class is 319.7 pounds.
“I have never lifted that much before so when I actually did it, it was like a shock to me,” he said.
Cabindol is leaving Boston for Estonia on July 20, and he’ll have a fan with him, his mother, Belinda.
“I’ve never really traveled for powerlifting. Going to nationals in March was the first time. But now, going outside of the country for powerlifting it’s, like, crazy to me,” Cabindol said.
“I’m not going to lie — I’m hoping to win.”
Flag’s at full staff
On Feb. 14 at a Halas Hall news conference, the Illinois High School Association officially announced girls flag football as a sanctioned sport starting this August.
That day, IHSA assistant executive director Tracie Henry, the administrator for girls flag football, said the number of officials for flag football stood at around 45.
On July 3, in a release by the IHSA’s Matt Troha regarding the annual IHSA Officials Conference July 12-13 in Normal, he noted more than 500 people have signed up to serve as flag football officials.
Twice as nice
A pair of Benet girls volleyball players, both juniors, got their college plans squared away early.
On June 25, Redwings coach Brad Baker announced that 6-foot-5 middle blocker Lynney Tarnow committed to Wisconsin.
Baker, who led Benet to the 2023 Class 4A championship against Mother McAuley, equated committing to Wisconsin for women’s volleyball to a football player committing to Georgia.
On Monday, Baker said setter Ellie Stiernagle committed to Northwestern. Stiernagle supplied 36 assists and 4 digs in that three-set championship loss to Mother McAuley.
Both girls have a lengthy resume of accomplishments and honors. Tarnow is the No. 1 player on Prep Dig’s list of Illinois players in the Class of 2026; Stiernagle is No. 4.
St. Charles North outside hitter Haley Burgdorf is Prep Dig’s No. 3 in Illinois’ junior class. Its top four Illinois seniors are Abby Vander Wal (Timothy Christian), Addison Horner (St. Francis), Aniya Warren (Benet) and Hannah Kenny (Willowbrook). All the seniors have committed to Division I programs.
As for Tarnow and Stiernagle, “obviously both are really excited about their future,” Baker said.
doberhelman@dailyherald.com