Athlete of the Week: 10 questions with Francis Karp, New Trier powerlifting

Francis Karp is a recent New Trier graduate who participated in powerlifting and football (offensive lineman). He recently helped New Trier powerlifting to a state championship.

1. What is your routined before a lift?

The main thing for most of my lifts is the warmup. I do a different mobility routine before every exercise. For squats, I’m working on my hips and Achilles. For bench, I work on activating my back and shoulders. And I just went into all of them with the same mentality: Whatever is on that bar, just do it.

2. When did you first get into powerlifting?

I got into it right after freshman year of football. I was one of the biggest guys out there but by far one of the weakest guys. … I saw that and said, ‘So now I know I need to get strong.’ I got into the weight room and around football met coach (Jim) Davis, who said to me — and he says it to a lot of people — ‘You don’t know it yet but you’re going to be a powerlifter.’ And I knew older guys who did it and were strong and good football players. So I tried it.

3. Which is your favorite exercise?

I think squat has always been my favorite. My legs are my best feature. I always felt proud of the fact that I had strong legs. I thought that was kind of cool. I do the most weight on squat and feel the most confident.

4. What is something about powerlifting people might misunderstand?

It’s not a bunch of meathead people just running up to the bar, taking smelling salts and caffeine. It’s more about camaraderie and patience and working with those around you for the collective goal of everyone getting better. … It’s trusting what you’re putting into it and not taking any shortcuts.

5. What are you doing next year?

I’m going to Michigan State to study kinesiology. I’m not doing any sports, but I’m definitely still interested in strength and conditioning a lot and want to do what coach Davis does and be a strength and conditioning coach for high school or collegiate team.

6. What is your dream job?

If I could do anything (strength and conditioning coach), but I also love music and movies. So I guess I could be a director or a famous musician. I play the bass a little bit, just for fun, noodling around and learning new songs.

7. What is your favorite thing to do with your free time?

I like hanging out with buddies, watching movies, going out to eat a lot. I started golfing this summer, with my brothers (youngest of four boys) and dad.

8. If you’re in Walgreens with a couple bucks, what are you buying?

Gardetto’s, they have bags of those hard salty (rye) chips, and then a lemonade Brisk Iced Tea.

9. What is something people don’t know about you?

I have a very long full name. My full name is John Francis Seymour Xavier Sullivan Karp.

10. What are your takeaways from being a student-athlete at New Trier?

I loved it. It taught me so many valuable lessons. I met so many great people through it — coaches, teammates, team managers. People I will keep in touch with my whole life. … It’s a great place to be a student-athlete with so many opportunities and so many great minds to help you get better at whatever you want to get better at.

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