Pierce Northcott has his eyes set on breaking records at the upcoming 2025 Special Olympics BC Summer Games.

By Tommy Osborne

Special Olympics

Northern B.C. powerlifter has eyes set on breaking records

May 7, 2025 | 10:29 AM

PRINCE GEORGE – One Northern B.C. Special Olympics power lifter has his eyes set on breaking records at the upcoming 2025 Special Olympics BC Summer Games. Pierce Northcott, hailing from Mackenzie, says he is locked in for this upcoming July, as he hopes to punch a ticket to the national games.

“I focus on the weight lifting and that’s all. I keep everything in the now, and don’t worry about anything else,” Northcott said, on how he’s preparing for the provincial games.

“We were looking in the record books for Special Olympics, and we’re thinking he might set a record at the games,” said Northcott’s coach, Bryce Surgenor.

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Surgenor says Northcott’s dedication over the last two years has been unbelievable, as he went from lifting just one plate to now lifting as much as 420 pounds.

“I have to be careful what I say. If I jokingly tell him to do a million pushups, he’d probably try. He does everything word for word. He’s the best, most coachable athlete you could ever meet,” Surgenor said.

“I always work out, whatever my coach wants me to do, I do it. He wants me to have a break before my competition, I do it. Anything he wants me to do, I do it for him,” Northcott said.

Northcott is one of several athletes that will be competing in the upcoming provincial games, and while Surgenor is optimistic about his chances to break records and make it to nationals, Northcott isn’t the only one power lifter who has seen success in the Special Olympics power lifting program. It’s a rapid rise for a sport that was on hiatus since covid, but has seen a strong rival thanks to the coaching efforts of Surgenor in Mackenzie and Connor McLaughlin in Prince George.

“It’s one of my favorite things I do every week. The athletes are pretty great, they’re some of the best people I know,” McLaughlin said.

“I don’t think I’ll ever stop,” added Surgenor.

The athletes are certainly locked in for the provincial games coming up this July, but they add they’re also really excited for the opportunity not only to compete, but reunite with some friends from across the province.

“I feel pretty happy, and I like all my teammates. I love my coaches, and they’re so friendly, and I want to do good in the games,” said power lifter Lief Skuggedal.

“It’s exciting to get to meet new people,” added fellow power lifter Diana Bramble.

Power lifting is one of many sports that will take place during the 2025 Special Olympics BC Summer Games, which will be hosted in Prince George from July 10-12.

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