Town of Babylon Supervisor Rich Schaffer recently joined with Deputy Supervisor Tony Martinez and Town Clerk Carol Quirk to recognize the remarkable achievements of Steven Gassert, a 16-year old from Deer Park who holds over 30 national records in powerlifting. Gassert, who has Down syndrome, has overcome a number of obstacles and worked extremely hard to become the champion that he is today.
The Deer Park teen recently competed at the North American Regional Powerlifting Championships in St. Croix, winning the gold medal for the 130 lbs. Sub-Jr. division and breaking two world records in the process. Last weekend, Steven competed at the USA Powerlifting Bench Press National Championships in Aurora, Colorado, where he again won a gold medal while setting a new personal-best record with a 270 lb. bench press. In addition to the bench press, Steven competes in squat and deadlift competitions where he holds personal-bests of 336 and 358 lbs., respectively. Steven’s family notes that his brother Robert Gassert, who coaches and trains Steven at Pro Fit Gym in Deer Park, has been instrumental in Steven’s success.
Steven was joined by family, friends, teachers and classmates at Babylon Town Hall, where he received an official proclamation declaring September 12th, 2016 as Steven Gassert Day in the Town of Babylon. Supervisor Schaffer and Town officials commended Steven on all that he has overcome and achieved and wished him continued success with his powerlifting endeavors.
Pictured from left to right are Deputy Supervisor Martinez, grandparents James and Nancy Tortorice, family friend and former Babylon Councilwoman Francine Brown, Clerk Quirk, Deer Park Schools Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Personnel Services James Cummings, Steven Gassert, parents Lisa and Steven Gassert, teacher Maria Devitt, and Supervisor Schaffer.