Menlo College

James Woodley - U23 71kg National Champion 

James Woodley, a senior from Danville, CA, proved once again why he's among the nation's elite at the USA Weightlifting National Championships hosted in Colorado Springs, CO. Competing with the poise and grit that have defined his career, Woodley went 5-for-6, going 3-for-3 in the snatch and recovering brilliantly in the clean and jerk after a narrow miss. He easily handled 103kg and 105kg snatches before his grand finale at 107kg, to earn Gold in the snatch. He started at 125kg as the heaviest lifter and got all white lights to open clean and jerks. A big jump to 129kg was a tough push and Woodley barely missed his second lift. His final lift, a clutch, all-or-nothing, redemption 129kg clean and jerk, secured a 236kg total, three Gold medals, and his third career top-three national finish. The lift, called by Coach Doherty "one of the most courageous lifts I have ever seen," showcased Woodley's nerves of steel and earned him All-American honors and the title of National Champion.