First off, a big thanks to the organizing committee in Salt Lake City and USAW for pulling off a great feat with the presentation and operation of the 2014 US Nationals. Kudos to all that made this all work and with 400+ lifters, that is no small feat in three days!
The layout and set-up was nothing but first class at the competition and while there were some issues with the two platform meet running side by side, this is normal and expected in a competition of this sheer size and scope.
The hotel was conveniently set-up right across the street for us and had an ample supply of food and drink within walking distance. Included was an excellent workout facility at the local Crossfit box, Brickwall. Thanks, for allowing us access to train before and after the competition!
Now as someone said, onto the show.
We had 4 lifters competing at this year’s Nationals and with Drew Dillon and I as coaches, thought we had an opportunity to make a good showing with our athletes and their abilities. See results here.
Chelsea Kyle, 58kg:
First up was Chelsea Kyle, a veteran lifter in the 58kg class. She warmed up well, smoked her opener, but unfortunately was in a holding pattern between her 2nd and 3rd snatches with a long wait on both and missed both these lifts.
Communicating on warm-ups and warm-ups in-between long waits is important and while we had a good game plan, I think the long wait on both didn’t help us achieve our goals.
In the clean & jerk, the same thing happened between the two last lifts, but Chelsea is a gamer and fought hard on the last lift and made a success with 85kg. While her placement could have been better, more attempts made and weighing closer to the weight class limit will serve her well in the future.
Arielle Lippman, 63kg:
Next up was Arielle Lippman. Arielle set two PR’s, one in the snatch and one for overall total in the 63kg weight class, but I suspect that with more seasoning, she can be a force in this weight class.
She came back on her last attempt and made a nice PR with 79kg in the snatch that she had previously missed and I think that serves us well in the future. Overall, Arielle finished in the top 10 and has not been with us long and I for one am convinced that she hasn’t touched the surface of her talent.
Cam Davidson, 94kg:
On the 2nd day, Cam Davidson, our 94kg lifter competed. Cam has been battling some injuries, but as he rounded into Nationals, had a solid day a month before in Pittsburgh at a competition.
Cam had one of those days with incredibly long wait times between his lifts and on top of it, missed his opener on the snatch, which put him back on his heels so to speak, trying to make up ground on the other competitors. Cam has the ability to hit a 300kg total and it wouldn’t surprise me to see this sometime in the near future based on his abilities.
Holley Mangold, 75+kg:
Our last lifter and on the last day of the competition produced our first National Champion and her first National Championship, when Holley E. Mangold made a 5/6 total and number one on both lifts and total to secure not only 1st place, but also tentatively, a placement at Worlds later this year in Kazakhstan.
Holley sandwiched 3 nice snatches, with the last one being the best at 104kg with a winner at 130kg in the clean & jerk for the winning total, although she was pushed by junior, Marissa Klingseis.
Holley is now on track to perform well for later this year and hopefully closer to American Records down the road. Congratulations to Holley from myself and the club on a nice well deserved victory.
PS:
As a side note, the 94kg class was one to watch with five guys snatching 150kg or more. It was interesting to see the winner of this class, Colin Burns, end up the champion despite not hitting the most weight on either of the two lifts when compared to the others. Sometimes strategy and hard work and a bit of luck can play into a win. Nice job Colin.
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