Topic: News&Video:Team OBX Lifters Excel at Schoolage Nationals

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

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Team OBX Lifters Excel at USAW Schoolage Nationals
Edited and Corrected by Chris LeRoux

The OBX(R) Weightlifting Club (OBXWC) recently traveled to Detroit for the USA Weightlifting School Age National Championship held June 23 -25 in the Motor City.

After three days of intense competition that encompassed three age groups, seven weight classes, and 175 lifters of both genders, Team OBX came in second place overall, the 13-14 year old team took third place, while the 16-17 year old team captured the national championship.

"This was an incredible accomplishment," said coach Gene Flynn of Kill Devil Hills. "You just dont go to a major city like Detroit and win a national title, second and third place everyday. I am very proud of our lifters."

All lifters in the tournament had previously met a qualifying total that had been established by USA Weightlifters (USAW).

Although there is no limit to the number of lifters a team may have, only four designated lifters are allowed to score points for an age group team, and a maximum of eight lifters is permitted for the overall team score.

Seperate scores are kept for men and women.

In capturing the team title, OBXWC was paced by three individual national champions, one silver medalist, and two bronze medalists.

Kane Heller, Justin Forlano, and Jimmy Grier, all of Kill Devil Hills, took home first place honors.

Coach Chris Wilkes' son, Coard Wilkes, of Chesapeake, finished second, and J.D. Cunningham and Martha Henderson, both of Kill Devil Hills, were third place finishers.

Other team members were Steve Foriano, Taylor Lewis and Taylor Cahoon, all of Kill Devil Hills, Shane Brinn of Manteo and Cam Ulmer of Kitty Hawk.

After the competition, further honors came to OBX Lifters as both Grier and Wilkes were selected to the Sub-17, eight man Pan American Team, which will complete in the Pan-Am Championships in Ecuador later this year.

As part of their training for that event, both lifters will spend 12 days at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, with all expenses paid for by USA Weightlifting.

OBX lifters swing into action again Aug. 1-4 at Norcom High School in Hampton, for the National Junior Olympics, sponsored by the Amateur Athletic Union of the United States.

The club trains year round at the Kill Devil Hills Barbell Club.

For additional information, call Gene Flynn at 202-4839.

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