Saturday, the Lenoir-Rhyne Weightlifting Team held the inaugural Lenoir-Rhyne University Regional Weightlifting Championships, and had an incredible time. The event was host to eight Current and Former Team USA Athletes, by far the most in the University Circuit. LR qualified ten for the Senior American Open Championships to be held in Denver, CO. Some of the highlights are as follows:
 
-Team Captain (announced at the conclusion of the meet) Liz Becker(64kg Class)- qualified for the Senior American Open Snatching a lifetime PR of 81kg/178lb and Clean & Jerking 92kg/202lb for a lifetime PR Total of 173kg.
 
-Team USA's own Hannah Dunn(55kg Class), competed fresh off the plane from competing for Team USA in Mexico at the Junior Pan American Championships. She took some token lifts to win the 55kg class of a 63kg/138lb Snatch, and an 83kg/182lb Clean & Jerk.
 
-Harley Creech(87kg Class)- hit a Competition PR Snatch of 77kg and she made lift of the day hitting a lifetime PR Clean & Jerk of 107kg/235lb.  Lifetime PR Total of 184kg.
 
-Kaylee Coughlin(71kg Class)- another one of our amazing Freshman Class. 73kg/160lb Snatch, 94kg/205lb Clean & Jerk, and Total of 167kg.
 
-Mallory Garza (59kg Class) another Team USA Athlete having fun, hitting some lifts, and representing her school. Snatch 73kg/160lb and Clean & Jerk of 100kg/220lb for a nice 173kg Total. 
 
-Kaziah(55kg Class) another one of a strong rookie class. She hit a 66kg/145lb Snatch and a 84kg/185lb Clean & Jerk for a Total of 150kg Total. 
 
-Ruby Shepard(81kg Class) competed unattached, but she will be another addition to the Freshman Class next semester. She hit a 10kg meet PR Total of 150kg. 
 
Riley Breske(67kg class) led the way for the men with a meet PR Total of 230kg electrifying the room when he hit his lifetime PR Clean & Jerk of 133kg/292lb.
 
Ryan Grimsland (67kg Class)took his last heavy day before leaving to compete for Team USA tomorrow in Ecuador for the Senior Pan American Championships where he will battle the strongest 67kg Men on this side of the world. He Snatch 131kg/288lb and Clean & Jerked 160kg/352lb for an easy 291kg.
 
Tynan O'Connor (73kg) had a rough day bombing out in the Snatch. However, coach Travis Mash has full faith that this young man will come back from this meet and crush it. He has battled back from a back injury he sustained before arriving a Lenoir-Rhyne just three months ago hitting PR weights in training. He simply needs a little more time to solidify those numbers to gain consistency. Tynan is going to do great things.
 
Joseph Neel (81kg) also a former Team USA Competitor had a great meet with a PR Total of 244kg via a Snatch of 115kg/253lb and a Clean & Jerk of 134kg/295lb. 
 
Matt Wininger (81kg) also a former Team USA athlete hit a nice 105kg/231lb Snatch and 143kg/315lb Clean & Jerk. He trained through this meet hitting some powers. 
 
Conner Popielarz (89kg) had a great meet coming off of being sick with the flu and quarantined at home. Snatch 120kg/264lb and a PR Clean & Jerk of 162kg/356lb. This young man is going to be amazing! Future Team USA.
 
Hunter Orloff (89kg) Snatched a very easy 105kg/231lb and Clean & Jerked 125kg/275lb. This young man is capable of so much more with a lot of athleticism to work with. I look forward to helping him utilize it. 
 
William "Avery" Dayvault (96kg Class) in his first Weightlifting Meet hit a nice 65kg/143lb Snatch and 75kg/165lb Clean & Jerk. More importantly, Avery is a member of the National Guard and Army Veteran having served four years in the Army during multiple deployments. That means more than any of these performances in my opinion. 
 
Tank Lunsford (96kg) Crushed it with a lifetime PR Snatch of 120kg/264lb and 150kg/330lb PR Clean & Jerk for a monster PR total of 270kg qualifying him for the University Nationals. Tank is a SuperTotal Athlete meaning he competes in both weightlifting and powerlifting. I see him being a real threat at University Nationals in Powerlifting. 
 
Tre Luttrell (96kg) injured from his starting wide receiver position on the LRU football team was able to come out and get qualified for University Nationals with easy lifts of 95kg/209lb Snatch and a solid 136kg/300lb Clean & Push Jerk. Not bad for someone about to get knee surgery.  
 
Morgan McCullough (102kg) also took it easy as he preps for the Junior Pan American Games the most prestigious Junior Meet of the Year. Snatching 130kg/286lb and Clean & Jerking 175kg/385lb for a Total of 305kg. The most chill 300+ total you are going to see. 
 
Team Captain Dean Scicchitano (102kg) hitting a PR Total of 295kg and qualified for the American Open via a beautiful 120kg Snatch and PR Clean & Jerk of 175kg/385lb for a clutch make to hit the qualifying total of his final lift. Congratulations Captain!
 
Trip Johnston (109kg) hit an easy 80kg Meet PR Snatch of 80kg/176lb and a PR Clean & Jerk of 110kg/242lb. Trip started weightlifting last year after walking away from football. This young man has overcome a lot of mobility issues to improve immensely in his new sport. I am proud of his perseverance. 
 
J.C. Greiner (109+kg) is a world class powerlifter that decided to take weightlifting for a spin. He Snatched 81kg/178lb and Clean & Jerked 111kg/244lb for his first and last Weightlifting Total of 192kg. I am impressed that someone with his amazing amount of musculature could learn to move so well in such a short time. However, he is destined to be one of the best powerlifters in the world, so I understand his decision. 
 
Coach Mash had this to say following the competition. "I saw glimpses of greatness from a team much more solid than last year's National Championship Team. We have several members who will soon be joining the ranks of Team USA. We have a few that will be battling for the 2024 Olympics, so this is going to be exciting to watch for next few years. I also want to especially thank Coach Sean Rigsby for planning, organizing, and running this awesome meet. He's been a great addition to our team."