2014 CPU National Preview: The Girls

This year is an exciting year for Canadian powerlifting.  At the CPU National Championships, March 31-April 5, we have the largest number of lifters ever to compete at this level, with over 300 athletes, representing 10 provinces.  In anticipation of this event, a couple well-respected lifters and coaches have posted about the “fight cards” within each class, trying to bring excitement to each category and analyzing potential outcomes.  However, those previous line-ups ignored a few prominent athletes, as well as some underdog stories that will, no doubt, shock the country.   So, here are my thoughts about the upcoming National Championships. 

Part One:  The Girls

AJ Facendi

Classic Divisions

The female classic 47k class will be a battle, not for any individual placings, but for who will set the National total record the highest.  Currently, the National total record is 220k, set by PEI’s Jill MacFarlane.  However, Jill will be facing off with three other athletes, both in Junior and Master Classes, who all have totaled above 220k in the past 12 months in local-level competitions.  Since National records cannot be broken at local meets, the race to the record books will be even more important on the National stage.   Look out for:  Crystal Grimsen (Open - 232.5k total), Odette Michaud (M2 - 242.5k total) and Pamela Anderson (Junior – 260k total). 

It’s amazing to see first-time powerlifters rival veterans of the sport.  This is particularly true in the female classic 52k class with Maria Htee and Steph Puddicome from Newfoundland.  Both of these girls competed for the first time in November.  Steph totaled 307.5k landing her 13th on the all-time ranking.  Maria totaled 322.5k placing her 10th on the all-time ranking.    Most athletes train a lifetime to crack the top 20, and these girls did it on their first go-around.   After following both of these girls’ training since November, I can certainly say that you don’t want to miss their flights.  In particular, Maria has recently squatted an easy 132k in training with the World Record only being 146k! 

Jessica Benedetto

One of the tightest battles for this year’s classic female athletes will be in the 57k class.  While Jessica Benedetto from Quebec is a clear favorite for the win, putting up a 375k total at the Arnold Sports Festival a month ago, there are seven other athletes in this flight who total between 300-315k.  This flight will all come down to smart attempt selection and whose coach runs the best numbers.  With shameful self-promotion, I can confidently say that Johanna Reichel from Alberta, who I’ve coached for the past year, will be in good hand.  She will be opening heavier than her previous personal bests, ya….

If you want some solid lifting from our Junior athletes, look no further than the female classic 63k class.  There are three girls who all have a shot at the top spot on the podium.  Both Kristen Elliot (292.5k total) from Newfoundland and Alicia Kingsland (287.5k total) from BC are traditionally 72k lifters, but have decided to come down a weight class to compete with Meara Mulholland (295k total), also from BC, who boasts the top total going into Nationals.  The placings in this class should come down to the final pull. 

Meara Mulholland

Another tight race will happen in the female classic 72k class, except this time it will be a battle of the “newbies”.  Many of these girls will be stepping onto the National platform for the first-time, but don’t let that “newbie” status dissuade you from expecting big numbers.  Eileen Du Plooy from Novia Scotia looks to be the favorite, competing for just over a year, and recently putting up a 380k total.  Seven other first-time National athletes in this class have totaled between 330-342.5k, so one failed third attempt can mean the difference between a medal and sitting on the sidelines.  Also noteworthy, the 72k class includes Dani Savoie from Alberta, who won a gold medal at the World Championships last year as a Junior athlete.  Now as an Open athlete, I’m excited to see how Dani’s career progresses and how she fends off these rookie athletes. 

Equipped Divisions

With more girls deciding to lift Classic this year, the equipped categories are far less deep, but that’s not to discredit their performances.  We have several World Class female athletes competing equipped. 

There are two girls to watch in the 57k class: Junior Savanah Porzuczek from Quebec and Sub-Junior Mikayla Lohse from Saskatchewan.  Savannah won a bronze medal at the 2013 Junior World Championships with a 430 total and 511 Wilks.  Most recently, she squatted 172.5k easily in training; not your average feat of strength.  Savanah’s younger counterpart, Mikayla, is not new to powerlifting either.  This will be her third National Championships and will likely put up a 300+k total, another extraordinary feat for someone that age.  In the 57k class we also have some incredible master lifters:  Julie Watkin and Carol Brady.  Both athletes who have previously medaled at a World Championships. 

Savannah Porzuczek

With no surprise, the tightest battle for the female equipped division will be in the 72k class, which includes:  Mary Ann Kaczor, Sarah Leighton, and Rhaea Stinn.  Each of these girls hold top 10 spots on the all-time Canadian rankings.  They are simply the best of the best, all competing internationally multiple times.  In this class we also have Master lifters Linda Rousseau and Lisa Nigh who have both previously competed on Team Canada at the World Championships.    

Avi’s Picks for Overall Female Winners:

Classic Powerlifting:  Maria Htee

Classic Bench Press: Breann Thiessen

Equipped Powerlifting:  Rhaea Stinn

Equipped Bench Press:  Dani Savoie

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