Youth Athletes collect Medals and Personal Records at Youth Nationals
The 2018 USA Weightlifting National Youth Championships were held at the DeVos Performance Ha;; in Grand Rapids, MI. Over 700 athletes were registered from under 11 years of age to those who will turn 17 this year.
CHFP Weightlifting traveled with 5 athletes with several vying for positions on the medal podium. Natalie Andrews earned Bronze in the snatch with 64 kg and added 4 kg to her personal best in the clean and jerk with 81 kg for a 145 kg total to finish in 4th overall in the 63 kg/14-15 age group . Teammate Delaney Edom finished one place behind in 5th with best lifts of 59 kg and 73 kg for a 132 kg total.
Delaney Edom (l), Coach Cara Heads Slaughter, Natalie Andrews (r)
On Sunday, Morgan Bramble, competing in the 53 kg/16-17 age group, was a perfect 6 for 6 in her attempts and established personal bests in the snatch [61 kg], clean and jerk [80 kg] and total [141 kg]. The effort also earned a bronze medal in the snatch, and silver medals in the clean and jerk and for total.
Morgan Bramble (l) secures the Silver medal for the total.
This was the national-level event for Gus Ciardiello (77 kg/16-17) and he performed like a veteran. Gus was successful on 5 of 6 attempts and each of his attempts (including openers) were competition personal bests. Gus added 14 kg to his total with best lifts of 87 kg in the snatch and 110 kg in the clean and jerk.
Gus Ciardiello with a personal best 87 kg in the snatch event.
Just eight days from her bronze medal performance for Team USA at the Youth Pan Ams in Pal Colombia, Avery Owens (75 kg/16-17) put together another strong effort with best lifts of 75 kg in the snatch and 100 kg in the clean and jerk to earn bronze in the snatch, silver in the clean and jerk and bronze in the total.
Avery Owens (left) secures Silver in the clean and jerk.
Overall, the team delivered outstanding performances collecting 7 medals and 7 competition PRs. Medal count: 3 Silver, 4 Bronze
Video highlights of the best lifts, PRs, and medal-winning lifts by our youth squad at the USA Weightlifting National Youth Championships last weekend.
