Topic: News: 3 Earn Roster Spots for International Competition

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

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3 Earn Roster Spots for International Competition

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. - Jeff Witmer, Emmy Vargas and Zach Schluender earned roster spots for international competition Sunday at the USA Weightlifting national championships.

The championships served as the primary qualifier for both the Pan-American Games and the world championships. The U.S. team will have four women and five men for the Pan-Am Games, and seven women and eight men for the world championships.

Vargas (165.2-pounds plus) bumped American record-holder Jackie Berube (127.8 pounds) from the Pan-Am roster. Berube put herself at risk on Friday night when she failed to score in the clean and jerk.

U.S. women's coach Dennis Snethen said the women's team could have been stronger with Berube.

"Yeah, we'd like to have Jackie," he said, "but if I could have anybody to replace Jackie, it'd be Emmy."

Witmer won the men's 207.2-pound national title and knocked Zach Krych (187.2 pounds) off the Pan-Am roster.

In the men's 231.2-pound plus division, Schluender claimed the eighth and final spot on the world championships roster with his silver-medal effort. Schluender took the spot away from Donald Shankle.

Men's coach Roger Nielsen said it was a good sign that Schluender and Witmer performed well with so much on the line.

"It brings a knowledge in my mind, a sense in my mind, that they are going to respond when they're in a competitive situation and they are going to be able to come through," Nielsen said. "If we need to move ahead of an individual to win a metal or score some huge points to help our overall team, it's nice to know that those guys have it in them."

Cheryl Haworth won her 10th consecutive national title Sunday at 165.2-pounds plus.

[Jim Hooper]

Win a "metal?"   Iron?  Nickel?  Zinc?  Which metal?