Topic: News: Andrew Crowley: A Man On A Mission

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

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Andrew Crowley: A Man On A Mission
By Jason Gabak

AUBURN - Andrew Crowley is no stranger to the Empire State Games.

The 18-year-old will be making his second appearance in the games weightlifting in the snatch and the clean jerk.

Crowley was a little disappointed with his performance last year, but that has inspired him this year.

“I took second to last,” Crowley said. “But it has made me work a lot harder this year, and I think I'm going to do a lot better.”

Crowley, whose father Jim will be coaching this year's Central team, was an active weightlifter as Crowley was growing up, which in many ways was an inspiration to Crowley.

“He competed a lot,” Crowley said. “He'd go places like Syracuse and I'd go and watch him. He got me started lifting when I was 13 or 14. After he got done competing and retired, that is when we really got into it more seriously and we've been doing it ever since.”

While Jim was an active competitor, he never made the games and is proud to see his son achieve a success he never did.

“I never really had a shot,” Jim said. “I never once even qualified. I'm really tremendously proud of him. He has a great deal of talent and ability to do well.”

Jim believes last year's experience at the games may have been a blessing in disguise.

“He learned how to compete,” Jim said. “He learned what it is like to face some really strong competition in the big time. Since then he has spent more time training and more time working on his technique and has really been learning the skills of the sport.”

Crowley and his father have been working together to improve on Crowley's natural strength and abilities.

“He coaches me a lot,” Crowley said. “We'll work on squats and other lifts that really help with Olympic-style lifts, like at the games. Right now to get stronger is my biggest focus.”

And all that work has been paying off. Crowley said that in the snatch he has been putting up 100K (about 225 pounds) and 130K (about 275 pounds) in the clean.

“That puts me about the middle of the pack nationally and for my age,” Crowley said. “But it is pretty good and it keeps me focused on getting stronger and always working on my technique.”

Crowley hopes to make all that effort manifest in a medal.

“I want to do my best,” he said. “But I'd like to at least medal. I think that is my biggest goal in the competition.”

But at the same time Crowley does have his sights set on bigger goals. The Empire Games allow competitors to qualify for National competition, something Crowley very much wants to be a part of.

“I'm a little anxious,” Crowley said. “There is kind of a lot of pressure. If you qualify you can go on to the American Open Nationals and that is one of the biggest meets in the sport and I'd love to be able to go there.”

But right now it is one meet and one step at a time, but Jim very much believes that Andrew can go as far as he wants.

“We hope to see a medal this year,” Jim said. “And I think he can. He has all the talent and potential and desire he needs. He can do anything he chooses to in this sport.”