Inaugural PNW WSO Regional Championships a success!
The inaugural Pacific Northwest Weightlifting State Organization regional championships took place this past weekend October 1 & 2 2022 at Peter Stott Center at Portland State University, Portland, Oregon.
Our goal was to host a regional level weightlifting event - echoing a national level event - that supported our PNW WSO mission to foster the sport of USAW olympic style weightlifting and its diverse & inclusive community in the PNW. The goal was to create safe spaces and opportunities to participate for athletes from Alaska, Oregon and Washington.
250 athletes ranging from 10 years old to 73 years young all brought their best to participate and throw down. We worked exclusively with BIPoC vendors and support crew, awarded 20+ scholarships to those based on need and welcomed everyone as long as they were willing to scream their hearts out to cheer each other on.
3 days of setting up and running the event with each day being 14 hours long, a volunteer crew and a gracious host facility - we did it!
We still have a lot of work to do and lessons learned to make next year even better but wanted to give some shout outs to some key stake holders and volunteers.
Joe Beck Meet Director, Lauren Hatmaker Technical Director, Mira Gracia Competition Secretary, Brandi Miller Event Brand Coordinator, Scott Fabian amazing host facility and support, our PNW WSO Board for all the pre planning meetings, Jenny Schumacher and Eric Winter for coming out to complete our T.O. roles and working 48 hours non stop, Nicole Sahlin T.O. room support, Will Johnson Event Photography / Video, Danny from Onyx Straps for all the behind the scenes work, athlete prizes and rad gear, Jen Beck for jumping in to run our t-shirt sales, our complete compliment of LWC referees that reffed, marshaled, conducted weigh ins and got all the odds and ends done, our tireless loaders who moved countless kilos this weekend, the crew from the Volunteers of America men’s residential center -the organization provides impactful, outcomes-based programs designed to help improve the lives of children, families, and seniors, Anthony Ballas for supporting us some rad warm up platforms and lastly PR Lifting for the awesome competition equipment.
Simple thank you are not enough but we wanted you to know how much we appreciate the support!
Because this was the first ever event each person in a unique age division and weight class with the highest snatch, CJ and total set a PNW WSO record. This is where it all begins and history is made!
Final results are available in USAW BARS.
As for team and best lifter winner awards in each category, they are as follows.
Team Awards:
Best youth team: Kiowa Weightlifting (custom award plaque TBD)
Best junior team: Kiowa Weightlifting (custom award plaque TBD)
Best senior team: Alpha Barbell (custom award plaque TBD)
Best masters team: Eastside Barbell (custom award plaque TBD)
Best overall by NRS % (M/F combined)
Meaghan Strey (0.938%): $800
Matthew Montgomery (0.839%) $400
Chelsea Nicholas (0.831%) $200 (please contact Lauren Hatmaker for award)
Best lifter by NRS %
Junior:
Female: Meaghan Strey (0.938%) $200
Male: Kaison Uehara (0.741%) $200 (please contact Lauren Hatmaker for award)
Senior/Open:
Female: Chelsea Nicholas (0.831%) $200 (please contact Lauren Hatmaker for award)
Male: Matthew Montgomery (0.839%) $200
Youth:
Female: Natalie Hatch (0.81%) $200
Male: Caleb Schliewe (0.762%) $200
Best overall masters (by SHMF)
Male:
Christopher Douglas (389.303): $175
Shane Sevcik (371.92): $125 (please contact Lauren Hatmaker for award)
Jason Dinius (341.142): $75
Female:
Holly Arrow (292.526): $175
Dori Wechsler (248.213): $125 (please contact Lauren Hatmaker for award)
Lindsey Knight (245.974): $75 (please contact Lauren Hatmaker for award)
CONGRATULATIONS to all of our athletes and THANK YOU AGAIN TO EVERYONE FOR SHOWING UP, SUPPORTING and BEING AN INTEGRAL PART OF OUR BELOVED WEIGHTLIFTING COMMUNITY!
-Mira