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2002 POWERLIFTING NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS RESULTS: SQUAT: 275lbs. BENCH: 271lbs. DEADLIFT: 336lbs. TOTAL: 882lbs. 5TH PLACE 132lb WEIGHT CLASS 1ST PLACE 132lb WEIGHT CLASS BENCH PRESS MEET DESCRIPTION: Sometimes it’s not the result but the battle along the way that counts. This unfortunately was the take home message from this years, 2002 Women’s Powerlifting National Championships. It all began the night before the competition. Jen’s weight was good, in fact we all went out and had dinner. Jen even got to eat as well. She then hit the hay early to get some rest for the next days competition. About 4 hours later, I apparently got food poisoning. From 11 o’clock until around 4 in the morning, I had it coming out of both ends. I’m sure listening to me in the bathroom all night interrupted Jen’s sleep. The only good thing was that although Jen had gone out to eat with us, she hadn’t eaten the same meal as me. The competition was shaping up to be one of the best Women’s Nationals ever. Jen, the reigning Bench Press World Champion, and last year’s runner-up at Powerlifting Nationals was a big underdog. Including last year’s champion, there were 4 women in the 132 lb weight class that had won a National title. The warm-ups went great. Although, Jen was still recovering from a broken ankle, less than 6 months earlier, her squat was back to last years level. She had just set the Bench Press World Record 2 months earlier and has always been a good deadlifter. In addition, making weight for this meet was no trouble. All this combined, she felt, was going to give her an outside chance at the title. Jennifer opened conservatively in the squat with 275lb., but stated she was starting to feel a little drained. After missing a 300lb. squat twice, she stated that it felt like all her energy was gone. In the break before the bench press it became apparent where it had went. After Jen’s first couple trips to the bathroom it was now evident that what I had was not food poisoning but a stomach flu that Jen had now caught. If she felt as miserable as I did, which it looked like she did, it was amazing she could stand let alone lift. It was about an every 15 minute process and according to some of Jen’s play-by-play it was definitely both ends, so to speak. Jen struggled through the bench and only hoisted 271lbs., which was well below her world record but still the best bench in her weight class. It was no mystery to anyone back stage why she was struggling. After every attempt, Jen would have to run to the bathroom. I asked her once if she just wanted to pull-out of the meet. I know now never to ask that again. Jen stated in no uncertain terms, “People came to see me lift, they expect me to finish, and that is what I am going to do.” Then after a short pause and a glare came, “I don’t quit.” The struggles continued in the deadlift. Jen didn’t wear any equipment for the deadlift fearing that she wouldn’t be able to get it off in time to hit the bathroom, which she had now done around ten times. She even was timed out of her second round deadlift attempt because she was in the bathroom. It was now down to the last lift of the day. She had done a 275lb. deadlift on her first attempt. I asked what she wanted for her last attempt. I told her she was in 7th place and a 336 would get her 5th place behind the 4 other National champs. It was a 60lb. jump, but she said, “lets give it a try.” With a classic yell and a big pull it was indeed, 5th place. What you find out when you watch a World Class athlete up close is that it is not just talent that gets them there. Most of their success comes from their desire, dedication, and willingness to compete under all conditions. Being a great athlete isn’t about winning, it is about getting there, no matter what.
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Special Thanks to Richard Weed and Carol Latta Chromosome Donors
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