Falcon Director of Athletic Performance
Carmen Pata has won the USA Masters Weightlifting National Championship at the organization's meet held March 30-April 1 in Savannah, Ga.
Pata won the 35 aged group 232 pounds and over National title with a combined total of 572 pounds. He had a lift of 242 pounds in the snatch portion of the event and a lift of 330 pounds in the clean and jerk portion.
By winning the competition last weekend Pata has earned the chance to compete at the Pan American Games in Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. That event will be held in June and features lifters from around the world. "We are a pretty close group of individuals and I've gotten a lot of help from people I compete against." Having the opportunity to compete at an international level is something that Pata is still trying to wrap his mind around.
At last weekend's competition, he lifted on third, and final, day of the event. He lifted in the middle of the snatch competition, but was last in the clean & jerk portion. He had a one and one-half hour break between the time he did his last snatch lift to when he did his first clean & jerk lift. "That was tough because you get up to do a lift, and then come down. Then you have to get up for the second part of the competition."
In the snatch competition he failed on his first attempt at 231 pounds. But he was successful in his second attempt at that weight. His final lift was successful at 242 pounds. After the break, he entered the clean & jerk portion of the competition with a first, and successful, attempt at 319 pounds, and a second successful lift at 330 pounds. His missed on his last lift of 337 pounds.
"You're alone on the stage and it's eerily quite," said Pata as he explained the setting at the meet. "There are three judges in front of you watching to make sure the lift is done right. Once the bar is set, you have one minute to complete the lift."
This was just Pata's third meet that he has competed in. Last October he competed in the Twin Cities Open in Northfield, Minn., and then in February he competed in the Twin Cities Masters in St. Paul, Minn.
Pata's success has come despite being a relative newcomer to this type of competition. He competed in strong man competitions for the past seven years, but has enjoyed great success in weightlifting so far.
Pata admits with a smile that he started weight lifting in sixth grade to impress a female classmate. "Now it's part of my lifestyle." His schedule is busy since he is the UWRF Athletics director of athletic performance, but he still makes time, usually over the noon hour, to work out six days a week.
Pata first came to UWRF from Oshkosh, Wis., and played football for the Falcons from 1996-99. He started his football career at UWRF as a defensive lineman, but moved to the offensive line later. The Oshkosh Lourdes High School graduate was named to the first All-WIAC team after his senior season at UWRF.
"When I first came here I wanted to be a professional football player," admits Pata. But in 1998 while still a student, then football defensive coordinator and strength coach Tom Journell gave Pata a chance to work in the athletic performance arena. Pata first helped with the Falcon softball and men's basketball teams. In 2001 he had a dual role as a athletic performance coach and assistant football coach. In 2006 he became UWRF's full time athletic performance coach.
After his success last weekend, Pata's once dream of becoming a professional athlete is now very much closer. "I've been contacted about endorsements - but nothing official yet."
He has helped thousands of Falcon student-athletes reach their potential by teaching them correct lifting techniques and specific lifts that help them in their specific sport. "This all has been very humbling. I've received many e-mails and texts from UWRF student-athletes and it's great to have their support. I think it shows them what some hard work can accomplish."
