Q:Explain Olympic lifting like I have no idea what the sport is?
A: Olympic weightlifting is a speed and strength-related sport that tests the maximum amount an athlete can lift overhead in two different manners: The Clean and Jerk, and The Snatch. Each lifter is divided into separate weight classes, and is given three attempts in each discipline (Clean and Jerk; and Snatch) to perform their maximal weight.
The Clean and Jerk is a two part lift. The athlete starts with a barbell on the ground, and must pull it up to their clavicle/shoulders in a very powerful, swift motion. Usually a lifter will also squat down low to receive the barbell on their clavicle. After standing up with the weight in the “rack” position, the athlete composes him/herself. Then, in a very sudden dip and drive, the athlete launches the barbell over their head into a lock-out position. Once the barbell is controlled in this lock out, the lift is completed.
In the Snatch, the athlete starts with the barbell on the ground. However, this time, their initial pull must be greater than to just their clavicle; they must sweep it up into a fully locked out overhead position in one continuous motion. Again, the technique of squatting down is employed, however the bar must be locked out overhead.

Q: How’d you get started?
A: I always liked training, and bettering myself. In High School, I naturally progressed through the sports I did, I found myself in the weight room often. I was in love with the concept of putting in hard work, and then reaping the benefits. It was exhilarating to walk into the weight room and lift a weight I previously could not. As my experience developed, I really wanted to pursue Olympic weightlifting. While I would perform the movements by myself, to really get into it, one needs proper equipment and a coach. I continued with my lifting as a hobby; although I did enter two powerlifting competitions. Eventually, by luck, I found a nearby facility(Garden City) that teaches Olympic weightlifting. Since finding that facility and coaches, I have been hooked. I dropped all extraneous training, and devoted myself fully to Olympic weightlifting, and have never looked back.

Q: Is it hard to balance schoolwork and training/competition? How do you manage to do it?
A: Weightlifting Competitions are not extremely frequent, so they do not disrupt Academics. A few weeks ago, I went to Tennessee for the University Nationals, but that event, at its large scale, only required missing one day of class.
My actual training and school work is usually not a problem. With well managed time, I can fit all things in together neatly. I’m taking 21 credits this semester, but can still train six times a week. I think it all just comes to time management, and not wasting time in things that won’t have a long-term benefit.
However, training and the rest of my life are not mutually exclusive. I invest a great deal of effort to perform at a high level, and it requires that I have a certain diet, I get proper rest, and I make sure I employ necessary recovery techniques. Training affects my social life more than my academic. I have to watch what I eat, get to bed early, etc. This isn’t a complaint, but just a fact.

Q: What are your long term goals? Would you like to compete professionally?
A:My long term goals are to procure additional medals at national meets, obtain the national Record for the University Level, and, most importantly, to make myself the best I can be. The medals and records are nice, but they are honestly a bonus to the pure joy I get out of lifting heavier and heavier weights. Unfortunately, weightlifting is a niche sport, and competing professionally (being paid to train) is lackluster. I can manage training without getting paid a meager sum for it. That does not mean I will give any less effort though.

Q: Can you give any tips on how to get started for someone who is interested in weightlifting?
A: If someone is interested in learning weightlifting…they should contact me! I have no problems helping people out with the lifts when I’m free, and have even begun holding seminars at CrossFits and Campus Rec. But if someone is interested in getting started on their own, they should look up (google is fine) beginner programs for weightlifting, and monitor their form and technique very meticulously. Make no mistake, this is first and foremost a strength-sport, but neglected technique is also a grievous error. If they can find a coach, they would be superb. Otherwise, they should just dive right in!

Q: Where do you train? And how often do you train?
A: I train in a variety of places. My coaches are at the Professional Performance Center in Garden City, Nassau. However, I have also obtained my own equipment, and sometimes train out of my Dad’s shop, in Holbrook. Lastly, I will also stop by the Campus Recreation Center to do some training.
I train approximately five to six times a week, usually for two hours a day.

Q:What’s your opinion of Crossfit? Do you like the attention it has brought the Olympic lifts?
A: CrossFit is a great conditioning and basic strength building workout. There is nothing inherently wrong with performing many barbell related movements in quick succession.  However, CrossFit does tend to neglect proper form and technique, and this produces injuries. Nonetheless, I think the attention is has brought to the Olympic Lifts is very positive. It surely brings a smile to my face when people actually know what I’m doing instead of asking: “What’s that weird shoulder thing you’re doing?”

Wolfie’s march to the finals is only the latest in a string of long runs by Stony Brook competitors. In the last calendar year alone, baseball reached the College World Series, football reached the second round of the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Playoffs and men’s basketball won the America East Conference’s regular season championship. Unfortunately, none of these teams achieved ultimate glory. Baseball was blown out in both of its College World Series games, football lost in the second round of the FCS playoffs to Montana State and men’s basketball fell to Albany in the America East Tournament semifinals.

Wolfie, only the seventh seed in Mascot Madness, faced an uphill climb to reach the championship round in this NCAA-bracket style tournament, which began on Sunday March 3 with mascots representing 30 different schools from the SUNY system. In the opening round, Wolfie picked up a fairly easy victory over the Panther of Tompkins-Cortland, earning 62 percent of the vote. Wolfie also dominated his second round matchup, collecting 64 percent of the vote in a rout of the SUNYIT Wildcat, the eighteenth seed. The third round game against the tournament’s twentieth seed, the Morrisville Mustang, proved closer with Wolfie only collecting 57 percent of the vote. This triumph set up Wolfie’s slim upset victory over the third-seeded Baxter Bearcat.

Hugo Hawk’s margin of victory against Rambo Ram was even slimmer than that of Wolfie’s win over Baxter Bearcat; Hugo, the competition’s seventeenth seed, earned only 51 percent of the vote in his semifinal game. Prior to winning this nail-biter, Hugo defeated the Purchase Panther, the top-seeded Cortland Red Dragon and the Maritime Privateer in succession.

With Wolfie in the finals, a Stony Brook representative has another chance to reach the summit of a competition. Between noon on Friday, March 29 and noon on Thursday April 4, students and fans of both Stony Brook and New Paltz will cast online ballots for their respective mascots. These votes will determine whether Stony Brook will have SUNY’s top mascot or if it just has another solid competitor who couldn’t quite go the distance.

Returning to the Seawolves squad are five of the nine 2012 starting position players, as well as 18 of last season’s 30 letterwinnners. There is also a nice mix of freshmen, sophomores and juniors; however, there are just two seniors on 2013’s roster, G.C. Yerry (LHP) and Tanner Nivins (OF).

Two of Stony Brook’s must productive hitters from last season, Steven Goldstein (So, OF) and Kevin Krause (So, C/OF), return to help the Seawolves pound away on their mission to regain College World Series glory. Goldstein finished last year with a .337 batting average, while Krause finished with a .330 average.

Also returning to the scarlet and grey is pitcher Frankie Vanderka (RHP), who had the best ERA on the team last season with at least 20 innings pitched, at 2.33. In Vanderka’s first start of the season, he pitched six scoreless innings, striking out two, against Florida International. More notably, this season, Vanderka threw his second career no-hitter, against Fordham University on March 10. Now in his junior season, he can, and should, become a key player on the Seawolves. His veteran presence on a roster lacking seniors, should prove to be crucial to the six freshmen pitchers on the squad.

Speaking of freshmen, there are 11 total new faces on the team, including Canadian Johnny Caputo (IF), who was drafted by the Oakland Athletics out of high school in the 12th round of the 2012 MLB Draft. For our benefit, he has decided to continue his education at Stony Brook, and he looks to improve his draft stock in years to come. Caputo has been relatively productive in the batting average and hit departments so far in his freshman season, which will hopefully lead to overall team success.

In the grand scheme of things, last season’s CWS entry has left more questions than it answered. Is Stony Brook a true baseball competitor, or was it a one-hit wonder? Will losing seven players to professional ball be too much for this 2013 squad to handle? Finally, where will the leadership come from on a team with just two seniors? Head Coach Matt Senk has a lot on his table this season. Let’s all have faith that he, and the rest of the team, is up for the challenge.

With the score deadlocked 41-41 early in the second half, the Hawkeyes used a 13-3 run to take control of the game.  After a three-point shot by guard Mike Gesell put Iowa up 44-41, Gesell found forward Melsahn Basabe for a dunk, which gave the home team a five-point lead.  A trey by forward Zach McCabe 10 minutes into the half afforded the Hawkeyes their first double-digit advantage on the game, 54-44.

The Seawolves responded to Iowa’s spurt with an 8-2 run of their own, which got them to within four points of the Hawkeyes, 56-52.  Stony Brook’s run was highlighted with a four-point play by guard Anthony Jackson.  Unfortunately for the visitors, Iowa’s players quickly reasserted themselves.  A trey by Marble extended the lead back to nine points, 61-52.  Guard Eric May hit a three-pointer of his own with 3:37 remaining for an 11-point edge.

Defense, which was a strength for both teams throughout the season with both ranking in the top 20 nationally, was poor for stretches in the game.  The Seawolves held opponents to 37.5% shooting during the season, fourth in the nation.  Iowa ranked 16^th nationally in defense, allowing its opponents to shoot only 38.6% from the field.  Conversely, on Friday night, each team shot 47%.

Marble, Iowa’s leading scorer entering the day, averaging 14.4 points per game, torched Stony Brook in the first half, putting in 16 points.   The Iowa guard scored seven of his team’s first nine points.  He completed a conventional three-point play early on to give the Hawkeyes a 9-6 lead.  His transition jumper with seven minutes left before halftime put Iowa on top 25-22.  Marble finished the game with 28 points and five assists, both game highs.

The Seawolves used strong shooting of their own to stay close for much of the game.  Guard Dave Coley, who finished with 12 points, hit two long three-pointers in the first half.  The second of these shots gave Stony Brook a 21-19 lead eight minutes into the game.  Forward Jameel Warney, who turned down a scholarship offer by Iowa to come to Stony Brook, played solidly, scoring a team-high 17 points on seven of nine shooting.  Iowa led 37-34 at halftime.

Stony Brook finishes the season with an overall record of 25-8.  Now having won its first ever postseason game, the team will look to take another step next season by making its first ever NCAA Tournament appearance.

Black’s game winning shot came on a rush after Seawolves’ guard Dave Coley hit a pair of clutch free throws to tie the game at 59.  The Seawolves had come back from 10 points down in the final six minutes of regulation to even the score.  Down 58-52 with one minute remaining, guard Carson Puriefoy nailed a three-pointer to cut Stony Brook’s deficit to 58-55.  Brenton then hit two free throws to close the score to 58-57, before Albany forward Luke Devlin missed one of his two shots from the line to give Coley his opportunity.

Stony Brook got off to a solid start, beginning the game on a 10-3 run.  Forward Jameel Warney hit a layup to open scoring. Then, after Warney blocked a shot, forward Scott King nailed a trey to extend the lead to 5-0.  A bank shot by guard Dave Coley 3:20 into the game gave Stony Brook a 7-0 lead.  After a three-pointer by Black finally put Albany on the board, Seawolves’ guard Anthony Jackson responded with a three-point shot of his own.

Albany quickly tied the game at 10 on a 7-0 run.  After a straightaway three-pointer by guard Jacob Iati brought the Great Danes to within 10-5, Black forced a turnover.  In transition, he dished off a nifty behind-the-back pass to forward Gary Johnson, who dunked the ball to cut Albany’s deficit to 10-8.  An Iati jumper from the right elbow concluded the run.

Though Stony Brook regained its composure and took a 14-12 lead when forward Tommy Brenton threw a successful alley-oop pass to forward Eric McAlister, Albany proved relentless.  The Great Danes proceeded to go on an 11-0 run, which gave them a 23-14 lead, as the Seawolves missed seven consecutive shots.  A dunk by center John Puk off the rebound to a missed Iati three-point attempt gave Albany a 21-14 lead 5:20 before halftime and highlighted the spurt.  A Warney dunk ended Stony Brook’s string of missed shots and cut its deficit to 23-18.

Albany led 28-22 at halftime. Warney led all players in first half scoring with eight points. Iati led Albany with seven points over the first 20 minutes, and Black scored six points. Forward Sam Rowley had a solid all-around half for the Great Dames, putting in four points and collecting six rebounds.  Albany shot well in the first half; it hit 10 of its 25 shots from the field (40%) and four of its eight three-point shot attempts (50%).  Conversely, the Seawolves struggled shooting, connecting on only eight of their 28 shot attempts in the half (29%).

Coley hit a trey to bring the Seawolves to within 33-31 early in the second half.  A subsequent steal and layup by Puriefoy again cut Stony Brook’s deficit to two points, 35-33. Albany then began to pull away again, though.  A transition bucket by guard Peter Hooley was followed by a long straightaway three-point shot by Black.  Black’s shot gave the Great Danes a 40-33 lead with 9:30 remaining.  His two free throws with six minutes remaining afforded Albany its first double digit lead of the game, 49-39.

Black and Puriefoy scored a game-high 16 points apiece. Puriefoy played a solid all-around game off the bench for Stony Brook; he brought down five rebounds and was credited with two steals in addition to his scoring.  Iati scored 14 points for the Great Danes, and Rowley contributed five points and 11 boards for the hosts.   The Seawolves, who hit 44% of their shot attempts this season, shot only 33% in this game (17-51).

The heartbreaking 61-59 loss breaks Stony Brook’s three-game winning streak over Albany in the America East tournament, which spanned the past three years.  Had Stony Brook prevailed, it would have hosted the University of Vermont Catamounts, Saturday, March 16, for the America East Conference title and its automatic NCAA Tournament bid. Instead, for the third time in four seasons, the Seawolves will have to settle for a berth in the National Invitational Tournament (NIT) after winning the America East’s regular season title.