SPAR Weightlifting Team Successful at AAU Junior Olympics Competition

Shreveport, LA, August 13, 2012: The SPAR Weightlifting Team recently competed at the 2012 AAU Junior Olympic Games Weightlifting Competition inHouston,Texas. The weightlifters had an awesome showing at the event.  Coach Josh Redden and the SPAR Weightlifting Team should be congratulated for representing the City ofShreveport spectacularly at the event.   

The SPAR Weightlifting Team had 12 participants qualify for the national event, which included over 200 competitors in weightlifting from around the nation.  In addition to the individual successes, the SPAR Weightlifting Team won First Place Team for Boys 11 & Under, First Place Team for Boys 12 & 13, First Place Team for Girls 14 & 15 and First Place Team overall for Boys. 

The individual results, which amazingly saw 11 of the 12 participants metal (1^st, 2^nd or 3^rd), were as follows:

The SPAR weightlifting program’s emphasis is on middle school youth, boys and girls, ages 11-14.  Coach Josh Redden of the US Weightlifting Development Center at LSU Shreveport is the instructor.  Classes are held on Mondays – Fridays from 4:00 – 7:00pm atBilberryParkCommunity Center, located at1902 Alabama Street.  Saturday sessions are held from 9:30am – 12:30pm at the US Weightlifting Development Center at LSU Shreveport,One University Place. All new and novice weightlifters train from 6:00 – 7:00pm Mondays through Thursdays.  Participation in the program is free. 

SPAR seeks to increase the participation of youth in the program and encourages area youth to join.  The benefits of participation are many in improving performance in other sports.  Parents should contact Harold Williams, Center Manager at 318.673.5345 for more information on the program.