Weightlifters converge on Bloomington

This weekend, IU has the distinction of hosting the Midwest Weightlifting Club's regional competition at the University Gym from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. \nThe event is one of the many tournaments the regional sports club sponsors. May 8, St. Joseph's will host another competition, similar to the one here in Bloomington, which is a team qualifier for athletes to earn a spot at this year's Summer Olympics in Athens. In all, over 150 weightlifters from 35 clubs and 80 colleges and universities in the U.S. will participate. The Snatch and the Clean and Jerk lifts will be used at the competition over the weekend. The competitors will participate in 15 different weight classes ranging from 48 kilograms (106 pounds) to 105 kilograms (231 pounds). \nSenior J.D Dunbar was on the IU track and field team for three years before deciding to pick up weightlifting. Since lifting weights is an integral part of training for track, Dunbar decided to take up weightlifting full time this fall. This weekend will mark his first-ever professional competition. \n"This is my first real meet," Dunbar said. "I am not really sure what to expect, but it should be fun." \nSophomore Caitlin Lawes joined weightlifting five years ago at the suggestion of a friend who felt it would help her at softball. Since Lawes was a catcher, weightlifting would provide a means for improving her leg strength and endurance. \nWhen asked what type of training methods she and the rest of her teammates regularly endured in order to get ready to compete, Lawes responded she and the rest of her team, which was coached by Geoff Eliason, would work out regularly and eat healthy foods. \n"What you have to avoid is french fries and potato chips," Lawes joked. \nLawes and the rest of her teammates work out six days a week for at least two hours a day and use both protein shakes and vitamin supplements in order to stay fit. The training methods implemented by Eliason and the rest of his crew are regular, as he has his team lift weights and run sprints in order to gain endurance and work capacity. Lawes and the rest of her team have had the workout schedules planned for a while now. \nOut in the cold air of Colorado, Bloomington native Giff Reed has been training since the eighth grade to become the best weightlifter he can be. Having trained at the prestigious Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., Reed hopes this weekend will provide a good tune-up for his test to become one of only three American weightlifters in the Olympics. \n"This will be a good warm-up for the Olympic trials since they are so close," Reed said. \nThe IU tournament is one of the many tournaments Reed in which will participate this year, as he regularly participates in six to eight events a year ,competing all over the U.S. as well as the Czech Republic and Greece. \nA return to Greece might not be out of the question if everything goes as planned. Reed prays to God that through hard work and determination he can make it that far. \n"Most of my determination and inspiration comes from God," he said. \nAlthough the best weightlifters in the country are not attending this weekend because of a fear of an injury, fun and good-hearted competition should still ensue. \n"It's the first of its kind (at IU), and its good to be home with friends here. I encourage everyone come out," Lawes said.\nFor more information about USA weightlifting, visit www.usaweightlifting.org.