HAYWARD, Calif. – Menlo weightlifting returned to competition as a team for the first time since mid-September at the Don Wilson Golden West Invitational at the Iron Warehouse in Hayward. Of the ten Oaks that competed, seven set their competition personal record, while ones' return from injury qualified him for the American Open Finals.
 

That lifter, senior Dwayne Deang, came off a shoulder surgery to compete for the Oaks. In his return, he set three post-surgery personal records, with a 96kg snatch, a 130kg clean and jerk for a total of 223kg. 
 

Freshman Sebastian Aire also had a day to remember. The Vancouver, Wash., product went a near-perfect 5-for-6 on lifts with a 56kg snatch. He demolished his previous best in the clean and jerk, finishing 7kg higher than his prior record, with an 82kg clean and jerk to finish with 138kg total.
 

JT Martinez, a senior from San Jose, set his competition personal record in all three categories as well. In the snatch, Martinez' 59kg lift was 4kg over his previous high. In the clean and jerk, his 80kg lift was 5kg over his prior mark. Overall, Martinez' 139kg total blasted past his earlier high mark.
 

Sophomore Osvaldo Garcia Mendoza finished 4-of-6 on lifts, lifting 94kg in the snatch to top his prior high by 4kg. He also lifted 111kg in the clean and jerk for 205kg total.
 

Matching Martinez was fellow senior Orion Rios, whose 100kg snatch bested his best number by 2kg. His 130kg lift in the clean and jerk topped his earlier number by 4kg, and his 230kg total was a personal competition record by 7kg.
 

Freshman Damon Underwood Jr. shined at the Resilient Strength Open early in the season and continued his strong freshman campaign. He finished tied for the Menlo-high with a 114kg snatch while destroying his competition personal record in the clean and jerk. His 149kg mark was 9kg heavier than what he had completed in competition before, good for a 263kg total as Underwood Jr. finished 5-of-6.
 

The final Oak to set his personal best was Peanut Ambrosio, who set a competition personal record in both the snatch and the clean and jerk. His snatch, at 114kg, was 6kg over his personal competition best, while his 156kg in the clean and jerk was 12kg over his competition best and 1kg over his all-time best mark. Ambrosio lifted 270kg total, a full 20kg over his best mark, as he went 4-of-6.
 

Freshman Polanikulea Leong-Wilkinson, junior Kira Barad and freshman Max Smith also lifted for the Oaks. Leong-Wilkinson completed 5-of-6 lifts, Barad finished with 4-of-6 and Smith totaled at 124kg. 
 

The Oaks lift next as a team from December 3-7 in Pleasanton, Calif., at the Virus Weightlifting Finals.