Chappaqua, Mount Kisco Athletes Qualify for Youth Nationals in Olympics Weightlifting

Two northern Westchester athletes have qualified for the Youth Nationals in Olympic Weightlifting, trainers at Athletes Warehouse in Pleasantville, NY have announced.

“Olympic Weightlifting, though it may look intimidating and dangerous, has mounting evidence supporting its safety and applicability to sport. It requires such attention to detail, technique, and a kinematic sequencing (total body sequencing) that will translate better to sport specific movements than most every other strength exercise available,” said Athletes Warehouse General Manager Nicholas Serio.

Serio said Ryan Kozersky, 16, a Mount Kisco native and varsity baseball player at Fox Lane High School, qualified for the Youth Nationals in Olympic Weightlifting with a 81kg (178.5 lbs.) snatch and a 101kg (222.6 lbs.) clean and jerk for a 182kg (401.2 lbs.) total.

Kozersky began Olympic Weightlifting just 10 months prior and is hopeful to continue his success with eyes on Junior Nationals for next year.

Mack Lauder, 16 a Chappaqua native and varsity baseball player at Horace Greeley High School, qualified for the Youth Nationals in Olympic Weightlifting with a 60kg (132.7 lbs.) snatch and a 92kg (202.8 lbs.) clean and jerk for a 152kg (335.1 lbs.) total.

Lauder began Olympic Weightlifting just 8 months prior to qualifying.

Youth Nationals is held in Minnesota (at the Mall of America) from June 25th - 29th. In order to qualify Ryan who is in the 85kg weight class needed a qualifying total of 176kg (388 lbs.) and Mack who was in the 69kg weight class needed a qualifying total of 152kg (335.1).

PHOTO: from left: Cassie Reilly-Boccia (coach), Mack Lauder, Ryan Kozersky, Elliot Pickens (teammate), Nick Serio (coach), Joe Beckert (coach)/contributed