Atherton, CA -- With the fall semester winding down, Menlo Weightlifting prepares to enter a new and exciting era under the leadership of newly named head coach Liz Leahy. Leahy will be joined by her new assistant Kevin Doherty to form a highly experienced, motivated and energetic new coaching tandem here at Menlo!

Coach Leahy, is a dedicated Sports Performance Coach with certifications as a CSCS (Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist) and USAW-L1 (USA Weightlifting Level 1), who hails from San Jose, CA. Graduating in 2018 from UCSB with a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Liz furthered her education by completing a Masters in Sport and Exercise Science at the University of Essex in 2020. Within the Menlo College Sports Performance department, Liz primarily works with the Men's Volleyball and Softball teams outside of her responsibilities with the Weightlifting program. With Leahy supervising the teams conditioning and lifting regimen, Menlo Men's Volleyball had their best season ever during 2022 which included a win at the NAIA National Tournament, 16 wins, two NAIA All-Americans and the sixth overall ranking in the country. As an athlete, Leahy is known for her competitive spirit ingrained from her days as a beach volleyball player. Leahy expanded her athletic pursuits by delving into Olympic weightlifting in 2020. Presently, she actively competes and coaches in this discipline, aspiring to qualify for Nationals.

Alongside coach Leahy, new assistant coach Kevin Doherty is renowned in the weightlifting community. Doherty started ALHS's Olympic Weightlifting Program in 2003 with the intention of training off- season football players.  He has since grown the program into a roster of 250 athletes that compete locally, nationally and internationally from age groups as young as seven years old to 75 year old seniors. ALHS has since been a part of the National Youth Championship Team 25 times. Under Doherty's leadership his program has successfully ran the 2013 Junior Nationals and 2014 Pan American Trials in the Bay Area and have run over 50 contests at ALHS for students in afterschool programs. Away from competition the members of ALHS have also shined. Doherty's weightlifters have 100% college acceptance on top of athletic awards and accolades. Some of Doherty's top accomplishments include:

• 2018 USA Weightlifting Women's Coach of the Year

• 2016 Olympic Coach; Women's Weightlifting

• Coaching seven Senior World Championships (2019, 2018,2017,2015, 2014,2013, and 2011)

• Coaching the Youth and Junior World Championships team from 2009-2019 including ALHS students

• Awarded the 2009 Youth Development Coach of the Year award by the US Olympic Committee

With a decorated staff coming onboard, Menlo Weightlifting will begin an exciting new era of training and competition. With Liz Leahy and Kevin Doherty at the helm the entire program will be in good hands!