[NEWS]


USA WEIGHTLIFTING AND THE USOC WORKING TOGETHER


By: Adam Andrasko, Manager, Training Sites and Community Partnerships, U.S. Olympic Committee


USA Weightlifting has benefited from its U.S. Olympic Train- ing Site and Community Olympic Development Program (CODP) partners. East Tennessee State University (ETSU) is an official Olympic Training Site of the United States Olympic Committee, while Moorestown Weightlifting Club is an offi- cial CODP. Each organization has contributed


to


USA Weightlift- ing’s success by


providing


access to facili- ties and equip- ment that help train junior and senior national team athletes while develop- ing a sustain- able pipeline.


ETSU, located in Johnson City, Tenn., hosts several Team USA athletes, including Shelbie Serpan and Megan Poole, who train daily at the U.S. Olympic Training Site. U.S. devel- opment and Junior National Team athletes also train at this site, including Madison Shallcross, Hope Stockel, Jimmy McIntyre, Hunter (Clemson) Forte, Megan Murphy, Drew Altobell and Alexis LiCalici. While several of these ath- letes are still in the developmental stages, there are some seasoned competitors. Forte competed in the 2013 Ju- nior Pan Am Championships; LiCalici participated in the 2013 and 2012 Junior World Championships; Stockel competed in the 2012 Youth World Championships; and


Serpan competed in the 2012 and the 2013 Pan Am Champi- onships and has just been selected for the World Champion- ships later this year in Poland.


In 2012, ETSU hosted four competitions sanctioned by USA Weightlifting, including the Last Chance Handle Barbell Open and the Stoneage Invitational, with each competition featuring approximately 30 participants. The third competi- tion was the Handle Barbell Open, which showcased more than 80 participants. The fourth meet of the year saw ETSU host the National University Championships with the World and Pan American Championship Qualifier. The site provides year-round programs and services, including sports science, sports medicine and the expertise of Dr. Mike Stone and his wife, two-time Olympian Meg Stone. ETSU also offers 10 full scholarships that are dedicated specifically to weightlifting athletes. These scholarships cover all the cost of school in- cluding fees, tuition, room, board and books.


Moorestown Weightlifting Club, located in Moorestown, N.J., has also contributed to the development of promising young athletes. The club trained 55 CODP athletes in 2012. Among those 55 athletes, 24 participated in a National com- petition,


including three who won National titles: Rizelyx


Rivera, Darren Barnes and Darrel Barnes. Rivera set an American record at the 2011 World Championships. Barnes set three Junior American records and a Senior American re- cord within his weight class. His twin brother, Darrel, also set a Junior American record in his respective weight class.


In addition to developing champion athletes, Moorestown hosted six Youth development meets, which averaged 77 participants. The CODP also hosted the Gold Cup Challenge, the East Coast Gold Championship and the 2013 National Masters Championship.


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