News

Metropolitan Elite’s Men’s Team Places Third at the National Championships

 

March 2, 2008 – Columbus Ohio.

The Men’s Team of the Metropolitan Elite Weightlifting Team received the 3^rd place trophy at the National Weightlifting Championships, held in Columbus, OH this past weekend.

Metro Elite fielded a total of 6 lifters at the USAW National Championships. The sole female competitor was Ericka Dice. Lifting in the 69 kg. bodyweight category,  Ericka placed 5^th overall, by snatching 76 kg. and making 96 kg. in the Clean & Jerk. This was Ericka’s first National competition in the 69 kg. category.

Men’s Team

The Men’s Team consisted of 5 out of the maximum 8 lifters permitted and only teams with the full compliment of 8 lifters bested the Met Elite team. The team members were Peter Musa (69 kg. bodyweight category), David Boffa (77 kg.), Frank Murray (85), Chad Becker (94) and Matt Rue (105+).

 Peter Musa, a phenomenal 15 year old, snatched 106 kg., narrowly missing 110 kg. He made a personal record 132 kg. in the Clean & Jerk, to total 238 kg. and earn a 4^th place spot in the competition. Peter was coming off a gold medal performance at the National Schoolage Championships last summer (where he was named the outstanding male lifter for all bodyweights). His 4^th place finish against older competitors clearly indicates that he will be a threat to lifters of all ages as he matures.

 David Boffa, last year named the outstanding male athlete of the year in the Metropolitan area, was fighting back from injuries and other setbacks that hampered his preparation for this competition. After snatching 115 kg., he had the misfortune of being unable to complete any of his C&J attempts.  However, Dave is healthy again and expects to regain and surpass his former best condition in the months to come.

 Frank Murray, who earned a silver medal at the Junior Nationals only 3 weeks ago, was competing in his first National competition against competitors of all ages. He snatched 125 kg. and made 158 kg. in the C&J. Those lifts gave him a 283 kg. total, which earned him a 5^th place finish over many more experienced competitors. Frankie’s progress of late has been explosive and he intends to earn a medal at next year’s Nationals.

Chad Becker only qualified for the National Championships 7 weeks earlier, making his best total to date. Yet he arrived at the Nationals in even better condition. He was successful with 145 kg. personal record snatch and then made his first attempt with 165 kg. in the C&J. He cleaned 173 kg. twice but could not complete the jerk. With Chad’s natural abilities supported by consistent training, he will be a man to be reckoned with in the coming year.

 Matt Rue made a very impressive return to the Nationals platform after a year in which some injuries and the challenge of starting a new career had hampered his training. Matt really poured it on in training after an outstanding performance and the recent FDU open. At the Nationals, after snatching 155 kg. and making a C&J with 190 kg. on his opening attempts, only a couple of near misses kept Matt from earning a silver or gold medal at this competition. With dedicated training in the coming year, he will be ready to make personal records.

 

MET ELITE JUNIORS WIN MEDALS AT NATIONAL JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS

February 10 - Chattanooga, TN.

Two lifters from the Metro Elite Weightlifting Club took silver medals at the the recent National Junior Weightlifting Championships in Chattanooga, TN.

Lifting in the 69 kg. bodyweight category, Peter Musa compiled a total 230 kg. to earn his silver medal. Last year, Peter was named outstanding male lifter overall at the National Schoolage Championships. He has made a fantastic transition into the more challenging junior ranks.

Lifting in the 85 kg. category, Frank Murray compiled a total of 283 kg. , his highest total ever in National competition, to earn a silver medal. His total represented an improvement of more than 50 kg. over his performance at the same competition last year - a phenomenal increase.

Both of these exciting young athletes will be competing at the Senior National Championship on February 29 in Columbus, OH.