Topic: News, Picture & Video: Erin Merrill Comes Up Big!

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

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Erin Merrill Comes Up Big in National Competition

Competing in two national competitions during the last two weeks, 15-year-old Erin Merrill took third place in the National Schoolage Championships and became the second alternate for the U.S. Pan-American Team. Merrill, of Pomerene, competed in the Pan-Am Qualifier this weekend in Colorado Springs, where he lifted enough to be ranked 10th overall for all weight classes in the 15 years and under category, and became a second alternate to the U.S. Pan-American Team.

Merrill's dad, J.T., said USA Weightlifting (USAW) is the national governing body for Olympic weightlifting in the U.S.

There are more than 200 events held throughout the country where weightlifters can compete in hopes of qualifying for the national level events. USAW sanctions five national championships in all age groups, giving athletes a chance to see how they fare against competitors across the country. Top competitors are selected by USAW to compete in all major international events, such as the Olympic games, world junior and senior championships and Pan American Games.

On July 15, Merrill competed in the Schoolage Nationals in Detroit where he took third place. Last year, Merrill took first in the competition, winning by two pounds. This year he lost by that much.

Merrill said it was tough to lose by such a small amount, but it happens.

"I could have lifted that two pounds, but in my second attempt I almost missed, so we went lighter on the third lift," he said. Competing in the 62-kilo (136.4 pounds) weight class division, Merrill did receive special recognition in Detroit for going 6 for 6 on lifts, meaning he didn't miss any.

Merrill, who trains with his dad, said he specializes in Olympic-style lifting, known as the snatch and the clean and jerk.

In March, the teen also competed in the 2006 National Junior Championships in Florida. He took seventh place in the competition for lifters younger than 20.

In January, Merrill took fourth place in the 2006 Peaks Classic Weightlifting Championships in Flagstaff.

"I do enjoy competing at the national level because I get to travel all over and see different places, and by training three and five times a week, I am getting stronger," Merrill said.

Merrill said he first got into weightlifting when he was 12. He trained for a short period with Clay Judd, known for his own weightlifting abilities and for sharing his knowledge with area athletes.

Merrill said he plans to continue weightlifting even after high school.

"I want to compete as much as I can and someday go to the Olympics," he said. "I think the competitions are fun because there are so many people from all over the country and all of them are good. I used to be nervous, but I got over that, and now I just like it."

Merrill's mom, Kelly, said she is especially proud of her son for placing in all of these major competitions.

"Many of the national competitions have people from big cities, with big clubs and expensive trainers. It's nice that he's from a small town without all that and does as well as he does."

Merrill will be attending Benson High School as a freshman this fall.

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