Marcum Weightlifting National Champion

Ingrid Marcum is a unique athlete-even among her fellow bobsledders.  The 2010 Vancouver hopeful added 2009 U.S. National Weightlifting Champion in the women's 75-kg division to her athletic resume on Saturday, June 6th in Chicago, Ill.  She posted an overall score of 194 kg, winning snatch with a career-best weight of 91 kg and taking third in clean and jerk with a weight of 103 kg. 

"Getting a national title was something I have wanted for a long time," said Marcum.  "I was really happy with the result, even though I lifted more earlier in the week and have room to improve."

The 2009 National Championships, held in conjunction with the Pan-American/Ibero-American Championships, featured 280 athletes from over 23 nations.  Held close to her hometown in Elmhurst. Ill., the competition was a highlight in Marcum's nine-year weightlifting career, and she hopes to carry that success over to her bobsled season. 

Marcum's bobsled career began in 2002 when she attended a National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) conference.  Marcum was demonstrating some of the equipment and training at the conference when several coaches from the bobsled team approached her and asked if she'd like to try out for the team. 

"It was just after the 2002 Olympics, so I was well aware of the sport and excited to give it a try," said Marcum. 

Marcum began competing in her first bobsled events in 2006, and most recently earned gold, silver, and bronze medals with driver Bree Schaaf in the 2008-09 America's Cup season.  Marcum was also named as a World Cup alternate for the second half of the 2008-09 season, allowing her the opportunity to practice on the 2010 Olympic bobsled track in Whistler, BC. 

"Combined with the high speeds and smooth ice, it was a fun ride as a push athlete," said Marcum.  "I enjoyed the time up there and look forward to going back again this season."

While the Olympic team will not be decided until January, Marcum will be training hard until then.  Lucky for her, a lot of the training between weightlifting and bobsledding coincides. 

"I want to be as prepared as possible for the bobsled season," said Marcum.  "I wanted to do well at weightlifting nationals, and I was really excited to get my first title.  I want to use these lifts to prepare for bobsledding, and I think I can improve even more."