North Platte’s Jenna Hoover and Clay Johnson made the trip to Daytona Beach, Fla. last week to compete in the USA Weightlifting Youth National Championships and Hoover placed third in the Clean and Jerk competition.

Hoover and Johnson train at Cain Athletics and are coached by Jace Cain, who accompanied them to Florida for the competition. Both of the weightlifters are 13 years old. Hoover competed in the 13 and under division while Johnson competed in the 14-15  year-old division. Nearly 500 youth weightlifters from across the nation competed in the event that took place June 12-15.

Hoover was the first of the two athletes to compete Friday morning. The Snatch lift was first with each competitor getting three lifts during the meet. Hoover successfully completed two of her lifts and finished at 31 kg which put her fourth in her weight class. The Clean and Jerk competition followed and Hoover successfully completed all three of her lifts, finishing at 44 kg to place third in the event and win the bronze medal. She also placed fourth overall in the total combined lift. There were a total of 10 girls competing in Hoover’s weight class and division.

Johnson competed Friday evening in both the Snatch and Clean and Jerk lifts. Johnson followed Hoover’s footsteps and was successful in two of his three Snatch lifts, topping out at 44 kg which is a new personal record for him. The lift tied him for fourth in the Snatch. Johnson then completed all three of his Clean and Jerk lifts, finishing at 53 kg. He finished the meet fifth overall in his division and weight class.