What began as a tool to improve his performance on the football field has become a record-setting endeavor for Beau Hershberger.

There are few kids in Roseville or Granite Bay that can say that they are stronger than Hershberger, who is currently actively involved with the Junior division all-star team from Maidu Little League.

The 14-year-old, who resides in Granite Bay, set a new state record in the bench-press when he repped 195.11 pounds. The record was for boys between the ages of 13-15, in the 148-pound weight group. He shattered the previous record held by Aric Evans, who lifted 192.9 pounds in 2008.

The event was part of the United States Powerlifting Federation, held on June 7 in Grass Valley.

Hershberger started lifting mainly to stay in shape for football until his father Greg looked up the state records and realized that Beau had the potential to match the weight.

“When I was there everyone was real nice,” Beau said. “When I went up there the adrenaline was just pumping. Everyone’s cheering for you. You get it down and you get it up and everyone is just crazy. It’s exciting.”

The competition was held in a gymnasium with an audience. There were three spotters, one on each side and one behind you. There were also three referees to make sure that the lift is done with proper form, to ensure that no competitor cheats.

Beau lifts three to four times a week for about an hour at a time. He does three exercises for each muscle region to maintain a balanced regimen.

“We go to the gym and I’ll say that we should stop and do something else,” Greg said, “but Beau keeps saying, ‘let’s do one more set. Let’s work harder’.”

Beau enters Granite Bay High School as a freshman in the fall, where he will play football and wrestle.