Newgard to coach USA weightlifting team
Marquette, Mich. — Northern Michigan University Olympic Training Site weightlifting coach Vance Newgard has been named head coach for USA Weightlifting’s University World men’s team. Newgard’s NMU squad earned 14 medals at the National University Championship in September, including one athlete earning a national champion title.
“Having a university champion is the top criteria they use when selecting coaches for world teams,” said Newgard. “Our success at the University Championships, including two athletes qualifying for the World University Team, really shows the progress we are making at NMU.”
Joining Newgard will be NMU senior Andrew Vrabel and junior Paul Woelmer. Both athletes have experience competing at the international level.
Vrabel, of Highland, Ind., is a two-time university champion (2012, 2014) and will be competing in the 77-kilogram division. Vrabel traveled to Penang, Malaysia, in 2011 to participate at the Junior World Championships.
Woelmer, of Bloomington, Ind., placed second at the University Championships in the 85-kg division. In July, he placed 11th at the Junior World Championships in Kazan, Russia. He also participated at the Pan American Championships this year, finishing fourth.
The competition takes place Dec. 5–8, in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
(Information Courtesy of NMU-OTS)