Haston Receives Coaching Certification

“You got to have respect in all these sports.” That was the sentiment shared by the YMCA’s new coach with the Special Olympics Athletes, Lucas Haston. A long-time powerlifter, Lucas has reached a new milestone in his journey: sharing his skills with others.

Lucas Haston has been with the Y for years, and on January 17, he received his coaching certification. Working alongside kids with similar stories to his own, he hopes to bring the same inspiration to Special Olympics that inspired him.

Lucas started powerlifting back with the Y years ago, and he felt it really inspired him. When asked about his motivation to become a coach, Lucas said, “I think it’s because I got attached to all these other kids. I just like to help them, you know, do what I did. Makes me feel glad I can help some of these athletes. Help them with what I went through. Help them open up.”

The newly certified coach also knows how hard it is starting out for those athletes. He said, “I know how hard it can be, when I started out. So, when I help, it’s me helping them the same way I got help starting out.”

The Y’s Fitness Director, Nina Weston, has seen Lucas through this journey and could not be prouder. She shared part of Lucas’s story, as he got comfortable teaching the others in Special Olympics, and how the two of them worked hard to get him certified.

As part of his responsibilities as a coach, Lucas helps the other athletes in their training. Whether it be visually showing them the motions for the workout, in the case of those who need more direct assistance, guide their hands directly. If one of the athletes needs help with running, Lucas is always right beside them on that track running.

“I’d want to thank Miss Nina, of course,” said Lucas. “And I want to thank my dad. He coaches as well. He showed me some things as a coach and taught me how watch and learn from him and go off that.”

Lucas’s father, Adam Haston, was one of the first coaches to assist with the program, and Weston said it has been a joy watching Special Olympics and coaching bring son and father together more and more.

Reflecting on his journey up to this point and what the YMCA means to him, Lucas said, “Me powerlifting and coaching now, over the years, I always thought it was commitment. You got to have commitment, and courage, you have to be kind, and then loyalty. You got to have respect in all these sports.”

The YMCA could not be prouder of their newest coach, and Lucas Haston will continue working hard on the sport he loves, with the athletes he now coaches.