Drake began his career in strength sports at the age of 10, using strength training to improve his athletic performance for football and track and field. After graduating from Northmont High School, he went on to attend University of St. Francis where he played football. It was here he was guided into the sport of weightlifting by a professor who had a great appreciation and love for the sport.
Since Drake’s first weightlifting meet in 2015 he has earned multiple national medals and competed internationally for Team USA twice. Drake’s personal experience competing at a high level makes him a valuable resource to those looking to take their weightlifting career to the next level.
-3x Ohio Weightlifting Athlete of the Year
-2017 Summer Universiade Team USA Member
-2019 Las Vegas International Open Team USA Member
-American Open Finals and National Championship Medalist
-4x Ohio Weightlifting State Champion
-Ohio Weightlifting State Record Holder
Drake Thompson, Head Coach USAW-L2
Jake started his athletic career in third grade playing football. After high school he made the decision to lose weight and lost a total of 115 pounds. After high school, Jake went to Wilmington College to play football and study Exercise Science with a focus in sports performance and a minor in coaching.
Jake found weightlifting in late 2020 by watching Clarence Kennedy videos on YouTube and by watching his friend get coached by the one and only Candace Gorby. Jake has competed in a handful of meets including local and some national meets. Jake plans on becoming a better athlete in the sport and becoming a better coach as well.
Outside of the athletic world, Jake likes to play videos games, watch football, listen to music, travel, and hangout with friends and family . His favorite football teams are the Wilmington College Quakers, The Ohio Stare Buckeyes, and The Cincinnati Bengals. Jake likes to listen to mainly rap, but likes to switch it up every once in a while.
Jake Quinn, Youth Coach USAW-L2
Candace originally found her love of weightlifting through CrossFit after going to her first box in Northern Kentucky in 2013. After competing locally in CrossFit, powerlifting, and strongman, she participated in her first weightlifting meet in 2015 and has since competed over 20 times both locally and nationally. She began coaching the sport in 2018 and has assisted multiple athletes in achieving state and national medals, as well as lead two men’s teams and the Clean Slate Weightlifting Women’s team to State Champion titles.
After graduating from Wilmington College with a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training, Candace worked as a Certified Athletic Trainer in Dayton, OH for 8 years, both in high school and clinical settings. With her background in Sports Medicine and personal experience in the sport, she has a unique perspective to share with fellow weightlifters and athletes.
-2019 & 2024 Ohio Weightlifting Coach of the Year
-5x Ohio Weightlifting State Champion
-Ohio Weightlifting State Record Holder
-2021-2025 Ohio WSO President, Current Ohio WSO Athlete Representative
-2020 American Open Finals Medalist
Candace Gorby, Owner/Head Coach BS Athletic Training, USAW National Coach, USAW National Referee
Bryan's passion for Weightlifting began in 2014 during a CrossFit class involving the snatch. Having no clue what he was doing, Bryan was eager to learn. He quickly joined a Weightlifting club and was hooked ever since. Bryan has competed in a plethora of Weightlifting competitions, most notably a national level competition called The Arnold. Not only did this fuel his passion for the sport and movement, it also brought a desire to coach and give back to a sport that has given him so much. Having received his USA Weightlifting certification in 2016. Bryan has been coaching ever since.
Outside of Weightlifting, Bryan is a Doctor of Physical Therapy. Part of what fueled him to pursue advanced education was his coaching career. Members and athletes would experience occasional aches and pains for which he had no answer. This did not sit well with him, so he decided to advance his knowledge to better live out his personal mission of empowering others to better care for themselves through movement. Three years and a Doctoral degree later, Bryan can honestly say he has gotten what he was looking for and more. Bryan's experience and education brings a unique perspective to the Clean Slate Weightlifting team.
Additional fun facts: Bryan likes to hike, travel, and spend quality time with family and friends. He enjoys craft beer with good company and a good cup of coffee every morning. He is a big fan of South Park and Rick and Morty and may or may not quote from either show a little too much.
Bryan looks forward to helping you achieve your goals!
Bryan Opaskar, Assistant Coach DPT, USAW-L2
Growing up in Colombia, Guillermo always admired both the strength, power, and precision displayed by Olympic weightlifting athletes, and in 2022, after primarily doing CrossFit for more than 11 years he decided to make the jump. Since then, he has competed and medaled in several meets, to include the 2023 National American Open Series 1 at The Arnold.
Ever since joining the military in 2005, Guillermo has been passionate about human performance and health and wellness. In addition to his involvement in fitness research with the Air Force Research Laboratories, Guillermo has served as the Unit Fitness Program Manager and Physical Training Leader in multiple military units, setting fitness programs and helping over 300 military members achieve their fitness goals.
Currently, Guillermo is a Ph.D Student at the Air Force Institute of Technology, researching materials for microelectronics. His analytical personality and attention to detail make him a great complement to the staff at Clean Slate Weightlifting.
