Kathy Redcher-Bowling, a Sac State student athlete, tied for third place at the United States National Olympic Weightlifting Championships on April 21 at Louisiana State Universtiy. Bowling competes on Team Sacramento at Sac State.

Bowling finished 10kg over her mark last year in the same competition. Her third place finish this year was for the clean and jerk, the snatch, and an overall total. Her clean and jerk lift was 95kg. She lifted 72.5kg in the snatch for a total of 167.5kg.

“I was pleased with my performance there; I have only been lifting for four years and some of the other girls have lifted for a lot longer,” Bowling said.

Bowling and Team Sacramento lift year round in this club sport at Sac State. They have competitions both at Sac State and on other campuses. After the US Championships there are the World Trials which Bowling is aiming to compete in.

“You have to be close to the 90% mark to even compete in the World Trials and right now I am at about 85%,” Bowling said. “My goal is to make it to the Olympic Trials in 2004.”

Olympic weightlifting in the US is not as popular as it is in countries such as Bulgaria, Germany, Russia, and China.

These countries typically are very strong when it comes to the world and Olympic championships.

Sac State hosted a competition last weekend at which Bowling continued her success by winning her weight-class and being named the outstanding female at the event.

For more information on the team and sport of weightlifting, contact Team Sacramento coach Dr. Bill Kutzer.