Holy smokes, its Christmas Eve and hopefully I will be done with this short synopsis before Santa comes down my non-existent chimney. This past year has had ups and downs and so much change it was hard to hold everything together but in the end the entire coaching staff in four locations pulled it off and supported all of our athletes. My first big thank you is to the coaches at Whitney, Crossfit West, and now Midtown Strength and Conditioning. Paul and Dave have 300 kids in the weight room up at Whitney, Daniel Jahangard has started a barbell club in Santa Cruz, and Karine and Eric are coaching two potential World Youth and Junior team members at Midtown. I also would like to thank the 7 coaches at Lincoln: Ben, Steve, Jenny, Collin, Jsymel, Larry and Mia who hold it down when I am not there. We have over 60 non-High School kids working out now after school!
We have so much to go over from 2015 leading to this upcoming year’s Olympic Trials; I must begin with the five athletes that are eligible currently for The Rio 2016 Olympics!
· David Garcia – David recovered from shoulder surgery to post a huge 376 kg total at the 2015 Arnold and made himself eligible for Rio by competing at the President’s Cup in Chechnya.
· Ian Wilson – Ian also recovered from an injury and is eligible for Rio as he competed in the President’s Cup in Chechnya.
· Donavan Ford – Donavan became the Senior National Champion in the 105 kg weight class and qualified for the World Championship roster in Houston but unfortunately had to withdraw due to injury. Donavan is eligible based on his participation at The 2014 President’s Cup.
· D’angelo Osorio – D’angelo took home bronze at both the 2015 National Championships and American Open in the 105 kg weight class. D’angelo consistently improved his total over the course of the year and is eligible for Rio based on his participation at the 2014 World Championship.
· Mary Peck – Mary posted a huge total at the Arnold which qualified for her the Grand Prix event in China and made her eligible for Rio.
I am looking forward to having all these wonderful athletes compete for a spot at the Olympics and couldn’t be prouder. This has been a 13-year process for some of these athletes and is proof that perseverance pays off.
The biggest events this year were the World Championships, Youth Worlds and Pan Ams, and the China and Russia Grand Prix’s internationally, the American Open in Reno, Youth, Junior, University and Senior Nationals nationally, and the PWA Championships, Golden West, Record Breakers and Spring Breakers meets locally. At all these meets, the coaches and athletes pushed themselves and represented the team and country well as both volunteers and athletes. There are so many highlights and records we cannot go over all of them individually but I wanted everyone to know that your effort has made all of these meets and trips this year worth it; our club keeps producing high level athletes, coaches and most importantly people!
I will point out that Seth Tom and Megan Seegert became Youth National Champions and set American Records in doing so, Erin Amos from the Olympic Training Affiliate went 6 for 6 at the Youth Worlds and became a National Champion. Kuinini Manumua along with Claire Mackey made it to the prestigious youth development camp at the Olympic Training Center after finishing first and second respectively at Youth Nationals.
Lastly, we had a lifter and coach finish top ten at both Senior Nationals and the American Open with some big personal records while also graduating from college. Jenny Lam graduated with a degree in early childhood education and is working full time at Genentech and in between working and graduating had personal records in the clean and jerk (95 kg) at Nationals and snatch (77 kg) at the American Open finishing 8th and 9th respectively. We love seeing our athletes succeed both on and off the platform as they become leaders in our community. Nothing could be more exiting!
I look forward to having your support and love in this upcoming Olympic Year.
Love and Respect,
Coach