The gym fell silent as Nicholas Scanlin stepped onto the platform, chalk dust swirling in the air, and hundreds of eyes fixed on the freshman from Bryan High School.
He adjusted his stance, gripped the bar, and waited—his mind focused, his heart steady. The official called the command. Nicholas lifted. Cheers exploded from the crowd as the weight rose—60 kilograms, a personal best in the deadlift, and good enough for fourth place at the Special Olympics State powerlifting competition.
But for Nicholas, the numbers were not the real victory. Born with Down syndrome, he had already overcome so much just to get to this moment. And now, in front of a packed gym full of strangers, coaches, and friends who had become family, he showed them all what strength really looks like.
“Nick is an outgoing, friendly, and active guy,” Nick’s mom, Elizabeth Scanlin, said. “He may seem shy in new social situations, but once he is comfortable in whatever situation or activity he is doing, his true personality comes out.”
Nicholas had wanted to lift weights for years. Elizabeth said he was always quick to flex and show off what he was building, and he has also found a home on the baseball team.
“Nick has always been a pretty strong kid; I am sure the guys on the baseball team have figured that out by now,” Elizabeth Scanlin said. “Now he has an outlet for building more strength and competing while building up that strength.”
His training began not with weights, but with the basics: commands, form, and technique. Once he mastered those, the weight slowly increased. Today, Nick’s personal records stand at 60 kilograms in deadlift, 35 kilograms in bench press, and a combined total of 95 kilograms—good enough for third in the push/pull combo at state.
“Hundreds of people in a gym watching only him lift can be intimidating for anyone,” Elizabeth Scanlin said. “He was not embarrassed that everyone was watching—this was a big deal, especially since I mentioned previously that he can be shy in new situations.”
Nick’s parents were not even sure he would step onto the platform.
“Would he even compete? Would he run back to the bleachers?” Elizabeth said. “No. He rocked his lifts with an entire gym cheering him on.”
That moment was a testament not just to Nicholas’s courage, but to the village rallying behind him—family, friends, and coaches alike. Among those cheering the loudest is powerlifting coach Greg Smith, who has played a key role in guiding Nick through every challenge and triumph.
“Nicholas brings a number of unique strengths to his training as well as our team,” Smith said. “Determination, persistence, positive attitude, resilience, work ethic, discipline, and pure joy.”
Those qualities not only elevate the team but also shape Nicholas’s personal growth as an athlete and beyond.
“Powerlifting can be tough, and facing physical and mental obstacles in training or competition teaches resilience,” Smith said. “Overcoming such challenges can build Nicholas’ belief in his ability to tackle problems in other aspects of his life.”
Nick’s powerlifting journey is not just about overcoming immediate challenges; it is about building a mindset for the future. His resilience is forged through consistent effort and dedication to his training process.
“Even as a newcomer, Nicholas seemed to understand the importance of consistency—with the help of his family, of course,” Smith said. “He regularly showed up, committed to our workout plan, and pushed through the tough days.”
That commitment has not gone unnoticed. Nicholas’s dedication and work ethic have created a ripple effect with teammates, who see him as more than just a fellow athlete; they see him as a source of motivation.
“He inspires me to play harder, give 100% effort, and try my best,” sophomore Grayson Krammer said. “He comes to practice every day during the period, sometimes after school, and even to the games. And he cheers us on while we’re playing.”
Nick’s consistent presence and enthusiasm bring a positive and uplifting environment to the team.
“It brings our spirits up and raises our morale,” Grayson said. “He’s such an inspiration. He makes the team fun—like we have more fun with him whenever he’s around.”
Nicholas regularly trains alongside the team, bringing the same enthusiasm and encouragement to the dugout that he shows in powerlifting. Baseball coach Justin Garcia says his presence makes a real difference.
“Nicholas brings a lot of energy to the dugout, and the kids love him,” Garcia said. “They say he has an aura, so they want him around.”
Nick’s impact extends beyond just his personality. He shows dedication through his actions and words.
“Before the year started, me and about six players went and watched Nick playing the real game with his Crusaders team,” Garcia said. “That’s something we still talk about today.”
The experience of watching Nick and the memories made strong bonds among the team members. This camaraderie extends beyond the field, where he has developed some very meaningful friendships.
“Working out with the Viking baseball team has helped him develop relationships with guys that he might not have encountered during the course of a normal day at school,” Elizabeth Scanlin said. “It has allowed him to create friendships, especially for someone with special needs.”
The friendships Nick has formed through baseball are just one part of his passion for sports. In fact, he is an avid sports enthusiast with a wide range of interests.
“Besides baseball and powerlifting, I love basketball and track and field,” Nick said. “I want to work for a Texas A&M Aggies sports team after high school.”
Nick’s ambition fuels his dedication to physical fitness and strength training. He recognizes that improving his physical condition is essential for achieving his goals.
“I want to get good and strong,” Nick said. “I love hanging out with my friends and their families when I work out.”
This blend of individual ambition and collective support laid the groundwork for the amount of recognition he receives from Greg Smith.
“His experience has set the stage for him to continue pushing forward, aiming higher, and inspiring others along the way,” Smith said. “This achievement is a clear reflection of Nicholas’ hard work and a preview of the many accomplishments he is likely to achieve in the future.”
As Nicholas closes out a milestone season, his journey is far from over. With each lift, he is not only proving his strength, he’s building momentum for what comes next.
“I want to get stronger and better,” he said. “I was excited to go. I knew I would have fun.”
