Topic: News: Stefan Moser Set to Defend Schoolage Title

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Stefan Moser set to Defend His Schoolage Title
By Buddy Hughes
 
Stefan Moser is a different kind of dual-threat athlete. Along with being the No. 1 ranked weightlifter in the 13 and under ranks, Moser also delivers on the stage as an actor.
 
Last year, Moser starred as Pharaoh in the Beaufort Performing Arts, Inc., Musical Theatre Summer Camp's production of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat."

"I may not be too good at it, but I really like to act," Moser said.

This year, Moser will get to perform in the Camp's production of "The King and I." But before he steps on the stage again, he'll go to Detroit to perform in a different venue as he defends his National School Age Weightlifting Championship.

In his first year at the National School Age Championships in 2004, Moser finished second. Last year, Moser wasn't expecting to win but did. This year, he's set his goals higher.

"This year, I plan to break records," Moser said. "I know that I'm probably going to win. I haven't heard of any competition."

Moser discovered weightlifting when he was looking for a sport that involved less running. With the help of his mother, he found his way onto Team Beaufort, a local weightlifting squad.

"When I was in fourth grade, I was really lazy," Moser said. "I did a few sports, but I never really liked a lot of running. My mom was looking in the paper and she saw where Team Beaufort had won a big national competition. She looked in there and found my coach's number and asked me if I wanted to do it."

Not wanting to spend his spring playing baseball, Moser decided to give weightlifting a chance.

"I thought it might be fun," Moser said. "I didn't think there would be running involved."

That brought him to Team Beaufort coach Ray Jones, who attributed Moser's success to his work habits.

"He was just a big, soft kid who didn't want to do any kind of athletics," Jones said. "He started coming in and training and he just really took off with it. He's got a good attitude, a very coachable kid who enjoys hanging with the other kids."

Moser shifts into an extra gear when it comes to competing, displaying a focus that has impressed his coach.

"When it's time to go to a meet, he just turns that switch on and becomes highly competitive," Jones said.

Jones is not the only one to see how Moser has improved since he joined Team Beaufort.

Moser himself has noticed a difference not just physically, but in other aspects of life.

"I know I've gotten stronger," Moser said. "I've got more confidence in myself. I've grown a lot as a person. I'm getting some better grades than I used to."

Outside of weightlifting, the only other sport Moser enjoys is playing football with his friends, and said that playing organized football would be a possibility down the road.

Jones said the kind of training that Moser is getting will be beneficial if he does decide to play football or another sport.

"Olympic-style weightlifting is not the norm when you're talking about anyone training with weights," Jones said. "It's not like trying to do powerlifting. It's doing an athletic movement where there's a lot of balance and flexibility. It's not just a strength sport, it's an athletic sport."

Another goal Moser could solidify with another win at the School Age Championships is a spot on the 2012 Olympic Developmental Squad. The squad is chosen from the top eight boys and top eight girls ages 13-17.

Those chosen will have a chance to train together at a camp at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., in August. Getting to train with the top lifters and different coaches is something Jones said would benefit Moser's development.

"All he hears is me talking in his ear all the time," Jones said. "He goes somewhere like that, he's going to hear other coaches telling him that he's got potential. It's a real positive thing."

The National School Age Championships begin Friday and run through Sunday.

Contact Buddy Hughes at 986-5533 or bhughes@beaufortgazette.com. To comment: beaufortgazette.com.

Photo by Bob Sofaly/Gazette: