Athlete of the Month: Erin Wallace

 Erin Elizabeth Wallace
Age -24
Weight Class-75kg

Other Sports Competed in

 I competed in gymnastics from 3rd to 7th grade, and then I played soccer from 8th grade until my junior year of college. I was a goalie, and I loved it! I threw javelin and shot put in high school, but I wasn’t very good at either one. I did prefer javelin though. I also did ballet for a bit as a kid if that counts.

The past two meets you had were the Pan American Championships and the National Championships. You went 6 for 6 and got personal records in both meets that were only two weeks apart. Awesome job! What do you contribute to those successes?

I would definitely have to give credit to my coach, Kyle Pierce, who is amazing to work with. I trust him not only because he has done the research to support the workouts, but also because he genuinely looks out for each lifter’s best interest. I also have wonderful teammates to train with; we feed off of each other’s energy.  I think that health plays a big part, and I have been blessed with a healthy body; I do my best when it comes to recovery and training smart.  After Pan Ams, I went back to a short 3’s phase and then tapered again right before Nationals. I think it was the right choice.

You have a very strong upper body. What are some of your feats of strength?

I do enjoy upper body work! I have done 12 pull-ups, benched 100kg, jerked 133/power jerked 122 ½ from the blocks, and push pressed 95 for a double.

Who are your favorite male and female weightlifters to watch?

I really love seeing my close friends/teammates make big lifts! I also like watching Evgeny Chigishev and Lidia Valentin.

What does your typical day look like?

A typical day…I wake up at 6:00 and get ready for work; I teach 6th grade English/Literature at Rusheon Middle School! I leave work between 3:00 and 3:30 and head to the gym. I train until 6:00 or 7:00 depending on the workout. Then I go home, cook dinner, finish up any work/grading, and go to bed around 9:30 so I can get up and do it all over again!

What would you say your greatest accomplishments are on and off the platform?

On the platform so far, I would say that the Pan American Championships has been my greatest accomplishment. I went 6 for 6, made personal records, and earned a spot on the World Team. I was so excited that I did well at my first big international meet.
Off the platform, I think that graduating from college and starting my career as a teacher was a big accomplishment. Education is very important to me.

You’re fast approaching Doreen Fulhart and Cara Heads’ American records. I think you’ll break them within the next couple of years. How do you feel about the possibility of breaking the American Records?

I do admire both Cara Heads and Doreen Fullhart for their success and hard work, but I would love to break the records! I want to push myself to be the absolute best lifter I can be, and I believe that I am capable of surpassing those records within the next two years. I do understand that being capable and actually doing it are two different things, but I have every intention of training hard in order to reach my full potential.

In a male dominated sport; how do you keep in touch with your feminine side?

I understand that when most people think of weightlifting, the male gender is what typically comes to mind. I think that it is quite possible to be feminine and compete in a male dominated sport. I love being a woman and doing girly things. I enjoy pedicures, shopping, and chick flicks, but I also like being strong and confident. I am very comfortable with myself, even if to some I look “too buff for a girl”.  I find that wearing my favorite earrings and a little makeup give my weightlifting ensemble a feminine touch!

What would you say to girls out there who are thinking about trying weightlifting for the first time?

I would tell them to try it!  Don’t be afraid of the stereotypes or of trying something new. I would encourage them by stating that it is good for strength gains for other sports.