Topic: News: Three Wichitans compete at 2007 American Open, Hillard takes third

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

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Three Wichitans compete at 2007 American Open, Hillard takes third

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Three Wichitans qualified and competed in the 2007 American Open Weightlifting Championships Nov. 30-Dec. 2, with Dylan Hillard winning a bronze medal.

Joining Hillard, a sophomore at Rider, in the competition was Wichita Falls High sophomore Samantha Nichols and Rider senior Caleb Ward.

Hillard's third-place finish in the 56 kilogram weight class came with lifts of 69 kilograms in the snatch and 92 kilograms in the clean and jerk for a 161 kilogram total. Hillard was also one of only eight lifters in the entire meet that had a 6-for-6 day with successful lifts in all six attempts.

Nichols was seventh in the 69 kilogram class with lifts of 66 kilograms in the snatch and 75 kilograms in the clean and jerk for a 141 kilogram total.

Ward was ninth in the 105+ kilogram weight class with lifts of 136 kilograms in the snatch and 165 kilograms in the clean and jerk for a 301kilogram total. Ward is also the school age American record holder for his class.

The American Open is the oldest open Olympic-style weightlifting meet in the United States.