OTC weightlifter begins to build for 2012

Jacquelynn Berube knows what’s missing in her distinguished career as a weightlifter.

It’s not national championships – she has eight. It’s not a Pan American title – she won in 2005. It’s not U.S. records – she holds three in the 128-pound division.

“If I didn’t believe in my ability to get to the Olympics, I wouldn’t be here,” Berube said.

The Olympic Training Center resident takes another step toward turning her strong belief into convincing results at the world championships, an early tune-up for the 2012 London Games that begins Friday in Goyang, South Korea.

With five world appearances, Berube, 37, enters as the most veteran lifter on a 15-person U.S. team, her best placings fifth in 2001 and seventh in 2005. She’ll be joined by OTC residents Patrick Judge and Sarah Robles, a silver medalist at last year’s junior worlds.

Berube calls this worlds a “building block” because she’s about 80 percent healthy, five months removed from shoulder surgery. In the snatch, she doesn’t have a complete range of motion, and her positioning on the overhead portion remains a bit off.

Still, Berube thinks a top-15 finish is realistic in her world debut at 139 pounds, and the two-time Olympic alternate feels plenty of motivation, insisting she has accomplished “everything you can possibly imagine. The only thing I haven’t done is the Olympics.”

Skaters in action

Broadmoor Skating Club pair Caitlin Yankowskas and John Coughlin begin competition Friday at Skate Canada in Kitchener, Ontario. Broadmoor member Tatyana Khazova starts action Friday at the Midwestern Sectional Championships in Wichita, Kan.

Bobsledders struggle

Olympic Training Center bobsledders Steven Holcomb and Curt Tomasevicz were fourth in two-man and seventh in four-man last week at a World Cup in Park City, Utah. They start action Saturday at a World Cup in Lake Placid.

Triathletes triumph

OTC triathlete Timothy O’Donnell won the long-distance world championships Oct. 25 in Perth, Australia. OTC resident Jillian Petersen finished 10th at a World Cup on Nov. 8 in Huatulco, Mexico. OTC resident Brian Fleischmann placed 10th at the Ironman World Championship 70.3 on Saturday in Clearwater, Fla.

Wrestlers excel

OTC wrestlers Joe Betterman, Dremiel Byers and Faruk Sahin posted victories Sunday at the New York Athletic Club Greco-Roman International. OTC resident Andy Hrovat lost Sunday at the Chicago Cup.

Etc.

OTC judo players Iavor Kostadinov, Alexa Liddie and Julio Rodriguez Jr. claimed gold medals and Anna Palmer of the OTC earned a silver Nov. 7 at the Continental Crown in Seattle. … OTC resident Greta Niemanas won two silvers this month at the Para-Cycling World Championships in Manchester, England. … Swimmer Megan Jendrick will hold a clinic Sunday at the Manitou Aquatics & Fitness Center.