In their first year of competitive weightlifting Cotter seniors Mary Schwend and Beth Parlin qualified for the State competition held in Lakeville on Saturday, March 12.

Scwhend placed fourth in her division and Parlin placed 5th in a different weight class.

The tournament structure is broken up by gender and then two lifts: snatch and clean and jerk.

“I was hoping to take second place in the 50kg snatch and in the 70 kg clean and jerk, ” Schwend said.

Mary Schwend completes a lift at State competition.

” Our families were there to watch and support us, which was nice,” said Parlin.

Despite not placing as highly as they’d hoped in the State level competition, both girls plan to continue lifting and mentioned how their commitment to the sport has led to a greater interest in fitness and nutrition.

Schwend and Parlin are coached by Jason Bongaard, who runs the weight programs for Cotter’s sports teams. Both girls appreciate his enthusiasm and motivation he gives them in their daily workouts.

Other members of the weight lifting team include Alexa Hesch, Andy Tofstad, and Jacob French.

Winners at the State level will go on to compete at the USAW National Youth Championships, in Austin, Texas, June 23-26.

Beth Parlin demonstrating proper technique in the clean and jerk competition.

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Parlin completing a similar lift at a previous competition.

http://mnweightlifting.org/  full results listed on this State site