The weight room of the Casanova Center was louder than usual for a spring Saturday as two Oregon athletes and 22 of the state’s most competitive weightlifters took part in the 15th annual Weightlifting Classic.
Oregon’s strength and conditioning coach Jim Radcliffe and members of the football program hosted the meet, at which participants did clean and jerk lifts.
The biggest lifter of the day was Oregon’s Jon Pope. The senior strong safety won the men’s 105-kg title as the lone entry with a
total of 611.78 pounds (277.5 kg). The Oregon state champion lifted a personal-best 341 pounds (154.67 kg) in the jerk press and came close to raising 352 pounds (159.66 kg) in his final attempt. It was the only unsuccessful try for the Selma native.
“It’s nice taking first, but it sucks not having anyone to go against,” he said. “I PR’d in both lifts, so I’m happy,” referring to his personal records.
Pope said the workout program he follows during football season keeps him in ideal shape for competitive lifting.
“The candle sorta burns at both ends, if you know what I mean,” Pope said.
Radcliffe saw nothing but good things of Pope at the Classic.
“He went 5 for 6. You gotta be happy with that,” Radcliffe said. “Jon opened up with lifts that he ended last year with.” Kyle Flanders took first in the 94-kg class as an unattached entry. He narrowly missed lifting a personal best 308 pounds in the jerk but settled at 292 pounds (132.45 kg). His total of 529.11 pounds (240 kg) was second-best among men at the tournament behind Pope.
In women’s action, Erin Doyle won the 75-kg and over divisions. Her aggregate weight of 202.5 pounds (91.85 kg) was the fourth-highest and best among females. She finished ahead of IronWorks’ Lori Alford (100 lbs., 45.36 kg) and Lola Fritz (92.5 lbs., 41.96 kg).
IronWorks women swept the podium in the 69-kg class. Jessica Goe was the winner at 270.07 pounds (122.5 kg).
Leslie Greene and Sarah Bertram of Heavy Athletics placed first in the 58 and 63-kg divisions, respectively.
Pope’s classmate Nicole Garbin of the Oregon soccer team also competed Saturday, making her debut in competitive lifting. She was the unopposed winner of the women’s 75-kg division with top marks of 110 pounds in the snatch and 159.5 pounds (72.35 kg) in the jerk.
Radcliffe said this year’s Classic lived up to its advertising as one of the state’s premiere competitions.
“I could not be more pleased with how it went,” he said. “I think it went very efficiently. As usual, it drew very qualified lifters and was very positive overall.”
The field featured a wide range of both age and experience – from 13-year-old Jeff Toreson to 57-year-old Chris Hansen.
As Radcliffe’s nephew, Toreson is no stranger to the sport in which he has already claimed a state title for the men’s 56-kg weight class. Toreson ended Saturday with a combined weight of 181.88 pounds (82.5 kg).
“I did all right,” he said. “I tied most of my PRs and felt pretty good.”
Radcliffe introduced his nephew to the sport, which is one of many in his young repertoire.
“He’s tough,” Radcliffe said. “He’s an up-and-coming athlete.”
His elder counterpart, Hansen, is in his sixth year of lifting. The 1973 Oregon alumnus has graced the platform since 1999 and works out four days a week. He enjoys the Classic because it brings out a strong camaraderie between the athletes.
“We always show up for this,” he said. “I’m an old geezer, so even if I look bad, who gives a fuck? The competition was great this year … I love how we cheer each other on. There’s no other gym like this.”
In between lifts, Hansen shared many hugs and chalky handshakes with his peers. He was one of nine athletes representing IronWorks, a gym based in Creswell.
Hansen tied for first in the 85-kg division with a total of 418.88 pounds (190 kg), but was awarded second behind Rob Bowman of Willamette High School because of Hansen’s weight advantage.
Bowman surpassed his body weight in both lifts.
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