Caledonia teen weight lifters compete at National Championships in Michigan
Three athletes from Caledonia competed in the 2012 USA Weightlifting National Championships. (L-R) Madisyn Heaney, Lydia DeMorett, Coach Ernie Hodges, Trece Frank, and Coach Eddie Hodges. Submitted photo
America’s top young weight lifters competed at the 2012 National Youth Championships in Dearborn, Michigan this past weekend. From the over 200 competitors Caledonia fielded a team of three young women. Madisyn Heaney, Lydia DeMorett, and Trece Frank, were accompanied by their coaches, Ernie and Eddie Hodges, as well as family members.
On the first day of competition, June 22, Madisyn Heaney, daughter of Jeff and Traci Heaney, competed in the 13 and under, 44 kg weight class. Although she was lifting at the national competition for the first time, Heaney placed fourth with a 70 kg total. She snatched 30 kg and successfully lifted 40 kg in the clean and jerk for this total. This was a personal best for Heaney.
On the second day of competition, Lydia DeMorett, daughter of Paul and Pam DeMorett, competed in the 14-15 yr, 58 kg weight class. She registered a personal best, lifting a combined total of 86 kg. She snatched 36 kg and had a good lift of 50 kg in the clean and jerk. DeMorett also placed fourth at the competition in her class. About her experience DeMorett said, “It was really fun to meet kids from all over the United States and compete with them.”
Trece Frank, daughter of Nick and Janet Frank, who was participating in the national competition for the second time, lifted a total of 130 kg. She snatched 60 kg and lifted 70 kg in the clean and jerk. With this total she placed first in her division and received a medal. “After trying for first last year and getting second, it felt especially great and all my hard work has paid off,” said Trece. “I know I couldn’t have come this far without the volunteered time my coaches put into me either.”
The National Youth Championships are sponsored by USA Weightlifting whose mission is to enable United States athletes to achieve sustained competitive excellence in Olympic competition and to promote and grow the sport of weightlifting in the United States.
