July 15, 2025
Meghan O'Toole
Lilly Cottingham '28 competes in national weightlifitng competition
For Lilly Cottingham '28, the satisfaction of weightlifting comes from surprising yourself with your own strength.
“It's not a competition against each other as much as it is a competition against yourself and pushing your own limits,” Cottingham said.
Last month, Cottingham competed at the USA Weightlifting 2025 National Championships in Colordao Springs, Colorado. Earlier this year, Cottingham placed second at the USA Weightlifting National University Championships in Columbus, Ohio. She entered as a student representing Lake Forest College with the support of Forester Athletics's Head Strength and Conditioning Coach Bill Lund.
“When I placed second in my weight class, I got a 99 total: a 43 kilogram snatch and a 56 kilogram clean and jerk, 6/6," Cottingham shared. “I do want to aim for 100 kilograms total, which should be coming up very soon, to get at least 45 snatch and 65 clean and jerk. I am pretty close, but every kilogram is a struggle.”
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It's not a competition against each other as much as it is a competition against yourself and pushing your own limits.
Lilly Cottingham '28
In high school at New Trier in Wilmette, IL, Cottingham was the coxswain for the rowing team, which inspired her to work on gaining strength and honing her athleticism. During strength and conditioning with the team, Cottingham's coach introduced her to weightlifting and powerlifting.
“I could feel stronger, my body felt a lot better and my numbers were going higher and higher with weights, but lifiting also turned into a community where I thrived. The people love to work out and support each other,” she said.
As an education and psychology double major, Cottingham's goals are clear to her: she aims to teach.
“I want to be a teacher, especially a special ed teacher, while also possibly coaching on the side,” she shared. “I was in the special ed community. I honestly have known that I want to be a special ed teacher since middle school.”
Cottingham's lifting ambitions don't stop at competing.
“I also got my USAW Level 1 Coaching Certificate, so I am looking forward to starting a new club at Lake Forest College to introduce more people into the weightlifting world,” she sais. “I am also interested in starting a Special Olympics weightlifting club.”
