CHFP Athletes Set American Records at American Open Finals

Pictured (l-r) Elise, Caron, Avery Owens, Steve Yanda, Ambrea Watts, Onzy Elam and Head Coach Cara heads Slaughter

The CHFP Weightlifting Team brought the 2019 competition year to a close with record-setting performances at the American Open Finals. The 2019 AO Finals event was held on December 6-8 at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City. We traveled with 5 athletes including Youth and Masters, all who qualified by hitting the AOF total and without the AO Series exemption.

First up to compete on Saturday was Steve Yanda. Steve [73 kg] matched his personal best in the snatch with a best lift of 105 kg and finished with a best clean and jerk of 134 kg for a 239 kg total.Steve's scoreboard: x102-102-105/134-x137-x137/239

Elise Caron [64 kg] enjoyed a solid 5/6 performance combining a best snatch of 77 kg with a best lift of 96 kg in the clean and jerk to finish with a 173 kg total.

Elise's scoreboard: 74-x77-77/91-94-96/173

Onzy Elam II competed in the prime time evening session on Saturday night. Onzy [89 kg] got it going early with two really good‐looking snatches at 134 kg and matching his personal best at 137 kg. Unfortunately, Onzy [89 kg] couldn't get a clean and jerk on the board missing hard-fought attempts at 160 kg and 165 kg. Onzy's scoreboard: x134-134-137/x160-x165-x165/0

Owens with 116 kg Youth American record in the clean and jerk.

On the final day of competition, Youth-age athlete Avery Owens and Masters-age athlete Ambrea Watts delivered stunning, record-setting performances. Avery [81 kg] went a perfect 6 for 6 in her final competition as a youth-age lifter, Avery [81 kg] lifted 2 PRs in the snatch with a best lift of 89 kg. In the clean and jerk, she produced two more personal bests including a Youth American record at 116 kg. Avery's 205 kg total exceeded the Youth American record standard in the 16-17, 81 kg class by 3 kg! Avery's outstanding performance earned her a spot on the Team USA squad that will compete at the 2020 Junior World Championships in Bucharest, Romania.

Avery's scoreboard: 84-87*‐89*/110-113*-116*/205*

Watts on her way to a 110 kg Masters American record in the clean and jerk.

Later in the day, Ambrea Watts followed with a similarly spectacular, record-breaking, 6 for 6 performance. In the snatch, Ambrea [+87 kg] finished with a personal best at 81 kg. In the clean and jerk, Ambrea broke the Masters American record twice- 106 kg on her 2nd attempt, and 110 kg on her 3rd. Ambrea's 191 kg total exceeded the Masters American record total by 5 kg! Ambrea's scoreboard: 75-78-81*/102-106-110/191*

Team highlights at the 2019 American Open Finals.