<p align="center" class="style222" style="margin-top: 0;">Olympic Style Weightlifting in McGregor</p>
<p align="justify" class="style228">Buck Foerster, Fitness Center Supervisor; MN Hall of Fame Inductee for Weightlifting and Nationally Certified Weightlifting Coach since 1983 has been working with some high school students and adults as they train for Olympic Weightlifting.</p>
<p align="justify" class="style228" style="margin-bottom: 0;">McGregor High School Olympic Weightlifting Team </p>
<p align="justify" class="style228" style="margin-top: 0;">Paula Garrett and Dawn Foerster<br />
</p>
<p class="style228">Billy Staska (8th grade) and Joe Heagle (7th grade) represented McGregor in three high school competitions. Both qualified for the State High School Meet on March 9th. Billy placed 2nd in the 94 Kilo class and Joe took 3rd in the 50 Kilo class. Their performances also qualified them for the Youth Nationals.</p>
<p class="style228">In June, Staska and Heagle traveled to Missouri for the Youth Nationals. Billy won a bronze medal (3rd). Joe placed seventh, and won the Best Technique award in his division.</p>
<p class="style228">Also in June, Paula Garrett and Dawn Foerster traveled to Chicago for in the Pan American Masters Championships. They had to qualify for the meet in a previous competition. Dawn won a gold medal and set PanAm records (snatch, clean & jerk, total). She also attempted a World record Paula brought home a bronze medal, set PanAm records (clean & jerk, total), and set new State(MN) records (snatch, clean & jerk, total). </p>
<p class="style228">The competitive lifters continue to train for upcoming Open meets and the High School season.</p>
<p class="style228">There are approximately 10 other lifters at various levels of training, ranging in age from pre-teen to mid-60's.</p>
<p align="justify" class="style228">If interested in being a part of this program contact Buck in the fitness center or Lisa Kruse.</p>
<p align="justify" class="style199">The sport of weightlifting was one of the original modern Olympic sports in 1896, but forms of it existed for several thousand years before that. Today, athletes complete in two different lifts - the snatch and the clean & jerk. Each competitor gets three attempts in each lift. The best successful lift in each are added together to result in a lift total. Athletes complete in weight classes, and place is determined by the highest lift total.</p>
<p align="justify" class="style199">The snatch is the first lift that is performed. The athlete grips the bar with a wide hand position, then explosively heaves it up overhead in one swift motion. The athlete drops under the bar, catches and stabilizes it, and then stands up, while holding the weight in an overhead position </p>
<p align="justify" class="style199" style="margin-bottom: 0;">The clean & jerk is the second lift that is preformed. With this lift, the athlete pulls the bar up off of the floor, drops under it, and catches it at the shoulders, followed by a front squat into a standing position. From here, the lifters dips down, and explosively drives the weight up overhead, catching it with the arms fully extended. The athlete finishes the lift in a standing position, with the weight remaining in the overhead position. </p>
<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">Because these lifts are done so explosively, they are the best way to develop muscle power and fast-twitch muscle fibers. They are exercises that use the entire body, and are done in a sport-specific way. If you are an athlete who participates in any sport, the snatch and clean & jerk are the two best lifts that you can do. By participating in the sport of weightlifting, you will also be helping to improve your performance in your other sports as well.</p>
<p align="center" class="style11" style="margin-top: 0;"><span class="style250"><strong>Saturday, March 22</strong></span><strong></strong></p>
<p align="left" class="style249" style="margin-bottom: 0;">Anabel Marotz, 1st. place - 48kg. wt. class </p>
<p align="left" class="style249" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0;">Anabel had a tough battle with a young girl from Rochester, MN. Anabel won by a 3 kilo margin.<br />
<p align="left" class="style11" style="margin-top: 0;"><span class="style249">Auston had to compete against some very accomplished athletes. Auston taking 3rd place in this divison is very impressive.</span><br />
</p>
<p align="center" class="style11" style="margin-bottom: 0;"><strong><span class="style250">2014 Minnesota School State Weightlifting Championships</span></strong></p>
<p align="center" class="style11" style="margin-top: 0;"><span class="style250"><strong>Saturday, March 8 at Lakeville High School</strong></span><strong></strong></p>
<p align="left" class="style11" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0;">Joe Heagle started the day off. Unfortunately he has been going through a growing spurt since qualifying for the event in teh 56 kg. class. As of 1 1/2 weeeks out from the contest Joe was 9 lbs over the weight class limit. Joe worked really hard at eating right and spent time and a lot of aerobic exercise to get to his event weight. The day of the event Joe came up a little short still weighing 2/10 of a kilo over. "My hat goes off to Joe for a great effort" states Coach Foerster. Joe decided to lift as an extra lifter anyway, but the weight loss took too much out of him and he had to withdraw from the competition.</p>
<p align="left" class="style11" style="margin-top: 0;">Trevor and Billy lifted in the same weight class and really put on a show battling it out for second place. Billy ended up on top by snatching 85 kgs to Trevor's 80 kgs. Trevor had one lift left and tried a new personal record of 112 kg. to overtake Billy. Trevor got the lift overhead, but couldn't hold on and dropped it. Billy ended up in 2nd Place, Trevor took 3rd Place. Great job boys!</p>
<p align="center" class="style237" style="margin-bottom: 0;">Students grade 7 and up may use the fitness center; but 7th & 8th graders must be accompanied by an adult. (supervisor does not count) </p>
<p align="center" class="style237" style="margin-top: 0;">Children under 7th grade are not allowed in the fitness center.</p>
<p align="center" class="style237" style="margin-top: 0;">No fee for those participating in at least one sport during the school year and have paid their athletic fee.</p>
<p align="justify" class="style190"><em>Healthways is a leading national provider of integrated preventive health services, guiding people to make positive changes to their health and reduce their risk of disability and disease. </em></p>
<p align="left" class="style190"><em>Qualifying SilverSneakers® Program Members will receive a complimentary membership to McGregor Community Fitness Center as well as attendance in any SilverSneakers® Fitness Classes. (see fitness center classes)</em></p>
<p align="justify" class="style190"><em>UCare for Seniors</em> member who belongs to a participating health club can receive a reduction of up to $20 in their health club membership fees each month. To qualify, just bring your UCare ID card to McGregor Community Fitness Center and complete a health club participation form. You pay $30/single membership fee for the first two months and the third month and thereafter you pay only $15 towards your membership. </p>
<p align="center" class="LgBodyBold style155"> BluePrint for Health® Fitness Discounts from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota</p>
<p align="center" class="style11"><span class="style12" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0;; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold;">Get an attitude. Get he</span><span class="style12"><strong>althy. Get credit.</strong></span></p>
<p align="justify" class="style190">Here's a great incentive for getting in shape. If you're an eligible Blue Cross member you can get a $20 credit toward your McGregor Community Fitness Center membership fee if you exercise twelve times or more permonth. Up to two eligible members per household can take advantage of the program, so get started today!</p>
<p align="justify" class="style190" style="margin-bottom: 0;">Need to know if you qualify?? <a href="mailto:www.bluecrossmn.com">www.bluecrossmn.com</a></p>
<p align="justify" class="style190" style="margin-top: 0;">Eligible Blue Cross Blue Shield members should receive an ID card with a fitness symbol verifying eligibility. </p>
<p align="justify" class="style30 style58 style58 style208" style="margin-top: 0;">Frequent Fitness<span style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0;; font-weight:bold;;">®</span> by Health Partners</p>
<p align="justify" class="style190" style="margin-bottom: 0;">For more information on Health Partners incentive program availabile at McGregor Community Fitness Center click on link below:</p>