Six weightlifters from the Yukon competed in two separate competitions this past weekend, picking up a total of 10 medals.

Five of the athletes competed at the Western Canadian championships in Edmonton while one competed in Cap-de-la-Madeleine, Quebec, at the university and college championships. The Yukoners won a total of six silver medals and four bronze medals at the events.

'It went really great actually for the Yukon team,' said Moira Lassen, who represented the national weightlifting federation as an official at the Westerns. 'And you'd think a province like Alberta would have a huge turnout, but just comparing it to last year's Westerns, when we (Whitehorse) held them, we outdid them totally.

'The venue wasn't the best, just the set up. It was really crunched ... we rocked.'

Lassen said she was very proud of all the Yukon weightlifters at Westerns and they all did very well.

Emily Quarton, from the Better Bodies Weightlifting Club but training in Montreal, lifted in her new weight class of 63 kilograms at Westerns. Although she only completed two of her lifts, Quarton totaled 170 kg, snatching 72.5 kg and jerking 97.5 kg. Both lifts and her total gave her three silver medals.

Quarton, trying for a personal record, cleaned 105 kg in her final attempt but lost it in the jerk portion of the lift.

Her totals also qualified Quarton to represent Canada for her second time at the junior world championships in Minsk, Belarus, in May.

'It's a little disappointing, that Emily didn't finish that last lift,' said Lassen. 'That would have been a huge PB (personal best) for her. That's way more than she's ever done.'

Kristina Beecher from the Otter Falls Weightlifting Club lifted in the 53-kg class. Beecher snatched 47.5 kg and clean and jerked 65 kg for a total of 112.5 kg. All three lifts gave the 14-year-old bronze medals.

Courtney Sippel, also from the Better Bodies Weightlifting Club but attending school in Alberta, showed the team she still had it with her lifts of 60 kg in the snatch and 77.5 kg in the clean and jerk. Her lift in the clean and jerk gave Sippel a bronze medal, and with a total of 137.5 kg she finished fourth overall in the 63-kg class.

Heather Beecher, the senior lifter of the Otter Falls crew, competed in the 75-kg class. She lifted 52.5 kg in the snatch and 62.5 kg in the clean and jerk for a total of 115 kg. Both lifts and her total placed her in fourth.

John Beecher, the lone male from the Yukon, competed in the 77-kg class, the most competitive division in the country. Beecher hoisted 82.5 kg in the snatch and 100 kg in the clean and jerk. His total of 182.5 have him a sixth place finish overall.

'The Beecher kids are just amazing, ' said Lassen. 'Everyone totaled, that's the main thing. And everyone walked away injury free.'

The Yukon team at the Westerns was led by coach Leonard Beecher and team leader Brenda Beecher. At the last minute, head coach Scott McCarthy was unable to attend the competition due to work constraints.

Jeane Lassen, who competes for Better Bodies but trains and attends University in Montreal, saved her energy for the platform and decided to complete closer to home, at the university and college championships.

In the 69-kg class, Lassen snatched 90 kg and clean and jerked 115 kg for a total of 205 kg. Lassen's third attempt in the clean and jerk had her cleaning 120 kg, a weight she has not tried since her injury in 2000, when she competed in the 75-kg class. All lifts gave Lassen silver medals and a spot at the Pan Am Games, an Olympic qualifier in Cali, Colombia, in May.

Lassen, who also happens to be Jeane's mother, said the fact her daughter even cleaned 120 kg was 'amazing, because she hadn't even tried to pull that (after the injury).

'She was very happy. She was a bit choked she got beat by this one girl because she's (the gold medal winner) a real wild card. But, she's OK with it.'

While Jeane Lassen prepares for Pan Ams in May, Quarton will train for world juniors in May, followed by junior nationals in June.

Moira Lassen said Quarton plans on returning to the Yukon after nationals and training here for the summer with McCarthy. Sippel also plans on returning to Whitehorse after her exams next month.

'We're also looking for some weightlifters who aren't from here to come work for the summer,' said Lassen. 'We're hoping to have some training camps.'

The senior Lassen will also be attending the world junior championships in Minsk, as an official.