Topic: News,Photos,&Videos: Maegan Snodgrass in the Spotlight

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

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Doing the Heavy Lifting: Maegan Snodgrass Won the National Junior Title
By Jared Wilhelmse
Edited and corrected by Chris LeRoux
Video Courtesy of The Weightlifting Exchange
 
To be one of the top competitors in your sport is a great accomplishment, but to do it at 17 years old is almost unheard of.

But for Maegan Snodgrass, of South Jordan, this is life. Snodgrass is a senior at Bingham High School and also one of the top competitors in the 63-kilo (139-pound) weightlifting weight class.

Discovered by her gymnastics coach, Snodgrass has only been lifting for three years.

But already, she's made a mark in her sport.

In March, Snodgrass traveled to Orlando, Fla., for the National Junior Weightlifting Championships. Snodgrass made all six of her attempts to finish with a lifted total of 76 kilos (168 pounds) in the snatch, and 86 kilos (190 pounds) in the clean and jerk, to win the championship.

"I love winning," Snodgrass said. "I just want to win all the time."

In late April, Snodgrass represented the United States at the Junior Pan American Championship in Columbia, Calif. She took fifth in that competition.

"There was a lot of competition," Snodgrass said. "I did the best I could; it was a good experience."

Even though Snodgrass has only been competing for three years, she lifts as much or more as many experienced lifters. When she was first discovered, she was lifting as much as competitors years older.

Under the direction of her coach Kim Goss, Snodgrass has become the best lifter in her weight class for the Juniors (20 and under).

"You really have to be a good athlete to do this sport," Goss said. "A year ago she was the best 16-year old, and now she is the best under 20."

Not only does Snodgrass excel in weightlifting, she is also a level 10 gymnast. She has been doing gymnastics for most of her life, and that's how she started lifting weights.

The day-to-day routine of a two-sport athlete is challenging. Snodgrass works out almost six hours a day, six days a week. She works on her gymnastics and then works on her weightlifting routine.

Snodgrass hopes to compete in both sports while at college.

"The most unique thing about her is that she has reached a high level in two sports," Goss said.

Sometimes, she gets fatigued mentally and physically because of all the training.

"When I get the point that I am just worn down I have to take a break for a while," Snodgrass said.

Snodgrass has been preparing long and hard for the 17-and-under Junior World Championship. She recently returned, bringing back with her from Colorado the under-17 junior world championship and a record in the snatch at 78 kilos.

The school-age American record in the snatch was 77.5 kilos (171-pounds).

Snodgrass is looking to compete in college, and she is also preparing to make a run in hopes of making the USA Olympic team. Snodgrass has qualified to attend the Olympic Training Center.

"She has all the physical tools and is mentally tough to make the Olympic team," Goss said.
   
Tough Stuff
   
In March, Maegan Snodgrass won the National Junior Weightlifting Championships.
   
Discovered by her gymnastics coach, Snodgrass has been lifting weights competitively for three years.

Maegan Snodgrass@06 USA National Jr Weightlifting Champs