2016 USA Weightlifting Nationals & Olympic Trials

ICYMI: Men's Pan Ams Trials Contenders Are Ready

ICYMI: Men's Pan Ams Trials Contenders Are Ready

This is it. The men's Pan Ams trials are this weekend at USA Weightlifting Nationals. We know who's got a shot at making the team and who's looking to lift

May 5, 2016 by Armen Hammer
ICYMI: Men's Pan Ams Trials Contenders Are Ready
This is it. The men's Pan Ams trials are this weekend at USA Weightlifting Nationals. We know who's got a shot at making the team and who's looking to lift big and earn their way onto the team. This weekend we see who can show up and earn a chance to be the United States' next male Olympian. Is the current Pan Ams team ready to defend their spots?

Alex Lee (77) hits 2 cleans + 2 jerks at 170kg


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Lee had a hat trick at the 2015 World Championships, setting every American Record in his weight class including a 176kg clean & jerk. He's very likely going to break that this weekend.

Kendrick Farris (94) front squats 240kg for a double


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Kendrick Farris is looking to earn his third trip to the Olympics and a big performance this weekend will be key to giving him that opportunity.

Colin Burns (94) barely misses snatching 175kg


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Colin Burns is competing to keep his spot on the Pan Ams team and if he can smash the American Record snatch this weekend, he's going to go a long way towards cementing his spot.

James Tatum (85) with a routine 135kg snatch and 164kg clean & jerk


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Currently the top ranked 85 in the US, James Tatum will be facing competition from Anthony Pomponio and Nathan Damron for a spot on the team.

Caine Wilkes (105+) overhead squats 200kg for 5


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The best super heavyweight in the US right now, Wilkes is comfortably on the team. A big performance from him will keep him there.

Travis Cooper (77) with an easy 175kg clean & jerk


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Cooper with a fast, easy lift just one kilo under the current American Record.

Anthony Pomponio (85) with a solid 180kg clean & jerk


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Pomp's spot on the team is pretty solid, but the higher his total is at Trials the better position he's in to actually make it to Pan Ams.

Leo Hernandez (77) crushing a 182kg clean & jerk


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Wes Kitts (105) goes 170kg/205kg in training this week


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Kitts exploded onto the weightlifting scene a short time ago and has become a powerhouse since then. 

CJ Cummings (69) is feeling good 


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The youngest and smallest of the current Pan Am team members, Cummings is feeling good going into Trials.