Heldt Places Fifth in Weightlifting at Pan American Games

<?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic ? Former Huskrer track athlete Doreen Heldt (Lisco, Neb.) wrapped up Nebraska's participation in the Pan American Games Friday, as she placed fifth in the 75 kg women's weightlifting competition. Heldt, who competed in track from 1995 to 1999, finished competition with a combined lifted weight of 202.5 kg to finish just out of medal contention. A two-time National Senior Champion medalist, Heldt placed second in the 2000 Olympic Trials in the event. <?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

 

Wanda Rijo of the Dominican Republic dominated the 75 kg women's field, including a games record clean and jerk of 130 kg, in winning the gold medal. Rijo finished with a combined lifted weight of 237.5 kg. Koppel's combined lifted weight was 225 kg. Raquel Lopez of Venezuela captured the bronze medal with a combined lifted weight of 222.5 kg.

 

In all, a total of six current and former Husker athletes competed at the Pan American Games, combining for six medals (one gold and five silvers), including a gold medal performance by Shannon Pluhowsky in the women's bowling event.

 

Women's 75 kg results

Place. Name (Country) - snatch/clean and jerk = total (kg)

1. Wanda Rijo (DOM) - 107.5/130 = 237.5

2. Nora Koppel (ARG) - 102.5/122.5 = 225

3. Raquel Lopez (VEN) - 102.5/120 = 222.5

4. Cara Heads (USA) - 97.5/115 = 212.5

5. Doreen Heldt (USA) - 95/107.5 = 202.5

6. Susana Calderon (ESA) - 85/110 = 195