Owens, Dunn collect Gold at Jr Pan Ams, FISU America Games

Avery Owens (right, with Coach Cara Heads Slaughter) secures gold medal sweep at Junior Pan Ams in Lima, Peru

It was a very busy October with three CHFP Weightlifting athletes competing internationally at the Junior Pan American Championships in Lima Peru and at the FISU America Games in Merida, Mexico.

Avery Owens and Sarah Uschmann represented Team USA at the Junior Pan Ams which were held on Cctober 18-23. At her final international competition as a Junior athlete, Avery Owens became a two-time Junior Pan American Champion in a oustanding 5/6 performance. Avery produced a 98 kg snatch and personal best 128 kg clean and jerk for a PR total of 226 kg. Avery's best lifts and total secured a GOLD medal sweep.

Scoreboard: 95-×98-98/121-124‐128*/226*

* = personal best

Avery has had a remarkable Youth and Junior career at international meets highlighted by Silver and Bronze medal totals at the Junior World Championships; 2X Junior Pan American Champion; and Youth Pan American Champion. To date, Avery has accumulated 22 medals in international competition: 10 GOLD, 4 SILVER, 8 BRONZE

Sarah Uschmann produced a remarkable, resilient performance in her second Team USA appearance at the Junior Pan American Championships. Despite unusual technical issues with the scoring system during the early portion of her session (in what was otherwise an outstanding competition by the host nation), followed by discomfort in her shoulder during her opening snatch attempt, Sarah displayed tremendous grit and determination to produce a solid performance.

After a successful retry at 97 kg on her second attempt, Sarah heeded the sound advice of the medical team and passed on her third attempt. In the clean and jerk, Sarah matched her personal best at 118 kg, a tremendous effort considering the clear discomfort she was experiencing with her shoulder. With her 215 kg total, Sarah improved on the 210 kg total she lifted at the rescheduled 2020 Jr Pan Ams.

Scoreboard: ×97-97-XX (5th)/113-118-×122 (7th)/215 (7th)

Sarah Uschmann (left) with Coach Cara (right) at Jr Pan Ams

Hannah Dunn enjoyed an absolutely outstanding performance at the FISU America Games in Mérida, Mexico. Hannah represented Team USA and her university Lenoir Rhyne University at this multi-sport event with university athletes from nations in the Americas and in the Caribbean.

Hannah successfully completeted all six of her attempts with best lifts of 71 kg in the snatch and 93 kg in the clean and jerk. Hannah's 164 kg secured GOLD in the 55 kg class and the title of America Games CHAMPION! Hannah put in the work in the gym and in the classroom to earn this tremendous honor.

Scoreboard: 66-69-71/85-89-93/164