Ray Hamilton Classic

Nick Roberts was the star of the show on Saturday as he made an attempt to be the first ever Norsemen club member to clean and jerk in excess of 400 pounds.

On the female side of the contest Kayla Turner and Courtney Simkins showed why they are the two top ranked junior females in the province, both won their weight divisions in convincing fashion.

Roberts, a native of Newfoundland, has been in North Bay since the early summer and has chosen to stay with the Norsemen/Valkyries Club as he takes a run at making the 2008 Olympic team. On Saturday, he started the competition by registering a snatch lift of 135 kilos. His first clean and jerk was an easy 170 kilos (374 lbs) and then jumped right to 177 kilos (390). Since this second lift was done in a strong fashion, he decided to give 182 kilos (400 lbs) a try. On the day that weight got the better of him. Roberts weighed-in at a mere 87.3 kilos, or 190 lbs. He plans to compete in two weeks at the Ontario Open in the 85 kilo class.

Three other North Bay Norsemen had record breaking days. Andrew Uyeda won the 62 kilo class with personal bests of 75 in the snatch and 95 in the clean and jerk for a 170 total. Runner up in the same weight division was Jarret Cauchy with a 147 lb total –via 65 and 82. Cauchy’s lifts and total were all personal bests. Later on, David Staniszewski, put up 90 kilos in the snatch and 113 kilos in the clean and jerk to top his old marks and win the 85 kilo class.

The first three female classes were won by out of town lifters from Rouyn-Noranda's Hercules Club and the Ottawa Canuck Athletic Club. The next three belonged to the Valkyries. Courtney Simkins, the youngest ever Ontario Senior champion, was the winner at 58 kilos with lifts of 57 in the snatch and 66 in the clean and jerk for a 123 kilo total. Meanwhile Kayla Turner topped the 63 kg division with a 130 total. Rebecca Kain of the Valkyries was the winner in the 69 kilo class. Kain snatched 42 and clean and jerked 50.

At the conclusion of the contest, special awards were given out by coach Ray Hamilton. The best novices (first time competitors) were Jake Staples of North Bay and Zoe Levesque of Rouyn. The most improved lifters from the 2006 edition of the Ray Hamilton Classic were David Staniszewski and Courtney Simkins.

Submitted to BayToday.ca