Youth Athletes collect medals and set personal bests at National Youth Championships

CHFP Weightlifting traveled to Anaheim, California with five Youth athletes to compete at the USA Weightlifting National Youth Championships held on June 28-30. The talented youth squad arrived prepped and ready to shoot for competition PRs, compete for positions on the podium, and vie for selection to Team USA that will compete at the Youth Pan American Championships in Ecuador.

First up was 14 year old Grace Edwards. Competing the Under15/59 kg class, Grace made good on 4/6 attempts, combining a best snatch of 50 kg with a PR clean and jerk at 70 kg to increase her personal best total 7 kgs to 120 kg.

Grace Edwards sets a competition personal best in the clean and jerk with 70 kg.

In the Under15/64 kg class, Bella Rivera went 3/3 in the snatch with a best lift of 70 kg. After a successful opening attempt at 83 kg, Bella missed on hard-fought PR attempts at 88 kg and 91 kg as she vied for Gold. When the dust settled, Bella came away with Silver in the snatch, Bronze in the clean and jerk and Silver for the total.

Bella Rivera brings home two Silvers and a Bronze

On the final day of the championships, had three athletes competing the 16-17 age group. Morgan Bramble delivered an outstanding PR performance in her final youth championships appearance. Competing in a world-class 55 kg session, Morgan put up LIFETIME personal bests in the snatch [68 kg] and the clean and jerk [85 kg] for a PR total of 153 kg and a 5th place finish.

Morgan Bramble PR clean and jerk at 85 kg.

16 year old Natalie Andrews also competed in a very deep and talented 71 kg class. Natty put up a personal best snatch of 78 kg and a 91 kg clean and jerk for a PR total at 169 kg and a 5th place finish.

Natalie Andrews increased her personal best in the snatch to 78 kg.

Our final athlete was Avery Owens in the 76 kg class. Avery arrived prepared to battle for medals and selection to Team USA that will at compete at the Youth Pan American Championships in Ecuador. Avery combined a best snatch of 83 kg with a best clean and jerk of 104 kg for a 187 total for a sweep of Silver medals and a likely selection to the Team USA Youth Pan Ams squad.

Avery Owens earned a Silver medal sweep

Overall, a strong performance from this group. Grace, Morgan and Natty picked up 8 competition PRs while Bella and AVery collected 5 Silver medals and 1 Bronze medal. And equally, or perhaps more, important, they're an awesome group of kids who are eager to support of each other and and a privilege to coach.