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Local News |
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Math teacher named Bench Press champ By ANDIE LEATHERMAN, LTN Staff Writer Oct. 24 - When she is not teaching math at East Lincoln Middle, Jennifer Thompson is breaking national weight lifting records. In September, she bench pressed 275 pounds, breaking the existing record of 259 pounds in her weight class. The lift also made her the overall National Bench Press champ. Thompson’s performance at nationals earned her a place on the U.S. world team. Thompson and her teammates will fly to New Zealand in early December. It’s not the competition that scares Thompson. Her toughest competitor from last year’s world meet in Finland was disqualified this year due to drug use. Instead, she is worried about the 24 hour flight. “I don’t think I can sit still for that long. That’s going to be a real challenge,” she said, laughing. Thompson is looking forward to seeing the friends she has made during the last three years of competitive lifting. She calls this the “fun part” of competition. While in New Zealand, Thompson and her teammates will tour the country. “We’re going to see what it’s like in a different country,” she said. The meet organizer has arranged a visit to his son’s school. Thompson hopes to link up East Middle students with kids she meets in New Zealand. The cross cultural exchange will benefit East’s seventh graders who study New Zealand. Ever the teacher, Thompson is working to get teens involved in power lifting. She and other state USA Powerlifting members to hold a match locally in the spring. Entry fees will be discounted for youth. “I think it would be fun for kids,” she said. Thompson spent her summer looking for a sponsor, mailing 50 proposals. Sportpharma, the protein supplement brand she was already using, agreed to a sponsorship. She and husband Donavon receive $200 worth of supplements each month. Two protein bars and two shakes are on Thompson menu every day. Chicken and ground turkey also figure prominently in her diet. “I can cook chicken 300 ways,” she joked. Thompson is grateful for family support. Her husband is her coach, formulating workout schedules on the couple’s computer. “It amazes me. He takes so much time and enjoys it while all the focus is on me,” she said. Her extended family from Michigan fly in to many of her meets. “They all travel to see me lift. I’m very lucky.”
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