CONCORD, N.H. - The New England College weightlifting club competed in their first meet this past weekend at the Grappone Conference Center located in nearby Concord, New Hampshire. The two-day event was hosted by Pawsitive Barbell Club with the women competing on Saturday followed by the men on Sunday.
Sophomore Peyton Holmes (Hooksett, N.H.), who competed in the Junior 53kg division, successfully lifted two of her three snatch attempts with her heaviest being 45kg/99lbs. In the clean and jerks, Holmes went three for three, hitting a 53kg/116lbs attempt which gave her a 98kg/215lbs total. This mark was enough for her to qualify for the Virus Weightlifting Series to be held in Fort Worth, Texas later this year. Peyton also secured 2nd place in the junior division in the meet.
Junior Kacey McClay (Hopewell Junction, N.Y.), who competed in the 63kg class, also had a successful meet. Kacey went three for three in her snatches, her heaviest being a 45kg/99lbs attempt. Kacey went into the clean and jerks with a lot of momentum that gave her two personal bests. McClay went out for her first attempt at 52kg/114lbs and easily made the lift. Kacey then jumped 8kg for her second lift to attempt a personal record. With 60kg/132lbs on the bar, Kacey went out for her second attempt. She cleaned it with ease but slightly pushed the bar forward on the jerk and missed it, but on Kacey's third attempt, she made a personal record look easy. Kacey finished with a personal record total of 105kg/231lbs, just 6kg shy of the Virus Weightlifting Series.
The men's team competed on the second day with graduate Zac Lacasse competing in the 79kg class to start off the day. Zac made his first two snatch attempts with 80kg/176lbs and then 84kg/185lbs. His second attempt tied his personal record. Lacasse then attempted a huge third attempt at 88kg/194lbs, but it was a little too heavy. Zac opened the clean and jerks with an 89kg/195lbs attempt and easily made it. He jumped 13kg for his second attempt to try a personal record clean and jerk. At 102kg/225lbs Zac received a loud applause from the crowd upon making his personal record attempt. With one attempt left, Zac was sitting 10kg under the qualifying total for the Virus Weightlifting Series. Lacasse went into the back room, hit a clean at 108kg/237lbs and then made his way back to the competition platform to attempt 112kg/246lbs. Zac pulled the bar high enough but just was not able to catch the clean. At the finish, Zac tied his record snatch, hit a new record clean and jerk, and hit a new record total at 186kg/409lbs.
Graduate Cam Hebert, competing in the 88kg class, was the last competitor from NEC. Cam opened the snatches with an easy make at 84kg/185lbs. His second attempt, at 89kg/195lbs, was pulled so fast off the floor that he missed the attemp. Showing a lot of power, Cam jumped to 91kg/200lbs for his third and final snatch attempt. The bar moved with enough speed for a make but was pushed slightly forward. Moving on with an 84kg/185lbs snatch, Cam needed a personal record clean and jerk if he would qualify for Virus Weightlifting Series. Hebert opened the clean and jerks with a 111kg/245lbs attempt. The bar was overpulled, and he missed it forward. Still showing a lot of power, Cam made some technical adjustments and jumped to 116kg/255lbs for his second attempt. Cam caught the clean, stood it up with a grind, and then hit a massive jerk to tie his personal record clean and jerk. With one attempt left, Cam needed 121kg/266lbs to qualify. He gave it a valiant attempt as he caught the clean and needed a few seconds to stand with it. Drawing a huge breath, he attempted the jerk but pushed it forward. Cam finished the day with a 200kg/440lbs total.
The NEC weightlifting club finished their meet with one athlete qualifying for the Virus Weightlifting Series and the whole team successfully lifting 16 out of 24 (66.6%) attempts. The club has plans to move toward registration with USAW and growing their roster. Stay tuned for future competitions.
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