Local lifters win 24 Ontario Winter Games Medals

Members of the Norsemen and Valkyries weightlifting teams took part in the Ontario Winter Games, held over the weekend in Collingwood. Other communities entering weightlifters included: Sarnia, St. Thomas, Toronto, Belleville, Ottawa, and Collingwood.

Despite the widespread representation, local lifters made up the bulk of the roster and took the majority of the medals. Indeed, members of the Norsemen squad won 13 medals, while the Valkyries took a total of 11.

In the male competition the Norsemen won six of the nine weight classes contested. Gold medal winners included : Reid Martel at 40 kilos and under, Jarret Cauchy at 46, Dominic Coote at 56, Theo Liritzis at 69, Trevor Brown at 94, and A.J. Wendover in the +105 class. Trevor Brown was the star of the show, managing to hoist 115 kilos in the snatch and 145 in the clean and jerk.

Local male silver medalists were: Tyler Miller in the 46 kilo division, Andrew Bell in the 56s, Chad Mathieu in the 69s, Morgan Brown in the 77s and Jarred Larmand in the 94s. Bronze medals went to Michael Willis and Jonathan Wilkinson in the 46 and 69 classes respectively.

In a fashion similar to the Norsemen, the Valkyries dominated the women’s portion of the contest, taking five of the seven gold medals awarded. Gold medals went to: Pascale Poulin at 44 kilos, Amanda Mitchell at 53, Courtney Simkins at 58, Samantha Scully at 63, and Stavrula Liritzis at 69 kilos.

Silver medalists were: Devyn Crocker in the 44s, Jillian Callahan in the 63s and Alicia Houghton in the 69 kilo class. Bronze medals went to Diane Begin at 44, Celyne Begin at 53 and Abby Callahan at 63.

One of the highlights of the day was the 104 kilo total registered by 14 year old Amanda Mitchell. By virtue of this performance, the Silver Birches’ student became the youngest female ever to reach the qualifying standard for the Ontario Seniors. Mitchell weighed only 51.6 kilos on Saturday and managed a 60 kilo clean and jerk.

The Norsemen and Valkyries next see action at the Ontario Seniors, slated for Variety Village in Scarborough on March 25. North Bay is hoping to defend the team championship it won in 2005.

Submitted to BayToday.ca