Three-peat for weightlifting champs

The CSUS Weightlifting Club has been tearing up the competition, clearing out everyone in its path.

For the third straight year, the club has captured the national title at this year's National Collegiate Weightlifting Championships held in Shreveport, La.

With over 24 top schools entered in this year's competition, the CSUS team was able to fend off an array of talented teams from across the country.

In addition to the team victory, individual honors were given to Brett Kelley who received a silver medal in the 85kg class and Greg Johnson, who received a well-respected silver medal for his efforts in the 105kg class. Rookie lifter John Molfino posted new personal records and finished a solid fourth in his weight class.

For those unfamiliar with the sport of weightlifting, each competitor is allowed a total of three attempts at both the snatch lift and clean and jerk. The best lift for each is combined for their total.

Justin Carvalho also won a medal for the Hornets.

"He was definitely a bright spot in our quest for the championship," said head coach Bill Kutzer.

Carvalho secured a gold medal in the heavyweight class to the surprise of his competitors who train at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo.

His performance typified the successful season of the weightlifting club. Carvalho, a Division One All-American in the hammer throw, started Olympic lifting three years ago in order to increase his throwing distance.

Much of this training took place in Eugene, Ore. at the Olympic Lifting Club, where he received guidance from former Olympians.

"My first competition was a good experience so I decided to pursue the sport of weight- lifting," said Carvalho.

Kelley got his start in body building and decided to try his hand at weightlifting to repair a blown-out shoulder that he was told would never fully heal. Now, according to Carvalho, Kelley's shoulder is 100 percent better and he is stronger than ever. He will compete in the American Open Championships with Carvalho in Orlando, Fla.

Part of the winning combination has been the guidance of Coach Kutzer himself.

"He is the smartest guy when it comes to weight training, and he is willing to take suggestions and adapt to new techniques," said Carvalho.

Kutzer is also complementary towards his athletes as well.

"These guys have worked really hard and this team has come a long way," he said.

The club humbly began in a small room in the fieldhouse in 1989. With the growing success of the program, the club has since moved to a new weight room designed by Coach Kutzer in Solano Hall.

The room is unique in design because it enables other athletes to train in the facility and allows weightlifters to train on Olympic lifts.

"The sport is very dynamic and very technical. It requires a lot of athleticism and flexibility," said Kutzer. "It's the best way train the entire body."

Others are taking note. Harry Theodor, the strength coach for several of the sports teams on campus, has incorporated weightlifting into his training programs. The results have been very successful.

Another proud addition to the winning tradition has been the strong showing of the women's team represented by Kathy Bowling, Nadine Nouchi, Erin Doyle, and Kathy Stammerjohan. At the Nationals, Bowling took home a gold medal in just her first national competition, while Nouchi placed an impressive second, earning her a silver medal. Strong showings by by Doyle and Stammerjohan, show signs that the women's team had come to play.

Next up for the team is the American Open Championships and the team looks to be well represented in almost all of the weight classes. Withtheir string of success, it's safe to say that they'll turn a few heads.