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Photo Courtesy of Viviana Podhaiski.

Technical Officials Directory

So many individuals come together to fill different roles in order to make a weightlifting meet successful. The competition starts with a loaded barbell waiting patiently at the center of a wooden platform. The speaker announces the weight, the athlete, and that the clock has started into the microphone – continuing to do so for each subsequent attempt, keeping the flow of the competition steady. Marshals manage the paperwork at the table, logging attempt changes from coaches, and the timekeeper starts and stops the clock when necessary. Loaders scramble to the platform between attempts, accurately and efficiently preparing the barbell for the next attempt. After weighing in athletes two hours before the first lift, referees acknowledge good lifts with white lights or turn down poor lifts with red lights. The meet director oversees all and offers support where needed.

All of these volunteers work together in a harmony that produces a standard of fair play for all in attendance and a good experience for athletes. The generosity of individuals who donate their time to events is what provides athletes with opportunities to break records, qualify for the next level of competition, and even make national or international teams. Simply put, volunteers are the lifeblood of any weightlifting competition.

 

The New York WSO has a rich history of volunteerism, promoting technical official education, and officiating with integrity. Volunteers are always needed at weightlifting meets. We encourage all members of our organization to get involved behind the scenes at local competitions and beyond.

How Can You Get Involved?

1. Contact meet directors and offer to help. Any help is greatly appreciated if you’re already a Local (WSO) Referee or higher, are interested in loading a session or two, or are available for event set up and break down. You can find a listing of upcoming NY WSO events and meet director contact information by clicking here.

2. If you’re not already a Local (WSO) Referee you can get started by following these steps:

  • Take the Referee Clinic online by clicking here or attend a referee clinic in person.

  • Click here to log into your USA Weightlifting Learning Academy account or to create one to take the exam.

  • Once you’re logged in, on the homepage, scroll down and select the “USAW Referee Course.”

  • Take and pass the exam!

  • Contact a meet director to inquire about volunteering!

Technical Officials

Weightlifting referees are classified into four categories:

  • International Weightlifting Federation Category 1 International Technical Official

  • International Weightlifting Federation Category 2 International Technical Official.

  • USA Weightlifting National Referee.

  • Local (WSO) Referee.

 

We encourage meet directors to seek out the highest level of officiating possible by contacting IWF Cat 1 & 2 and USAW National Referees first. A good strategy would be to email these individuals a month or two in advance of the event, give them a few weeks, and then email all listed referees.

 

Below is a listing of all individuals within our organization who are credentialed to officiate at a local competition. Also listed is the information on how to reach each level of officiating should one be interested in leveling up.

International Weightlifting Federation

Category 1 International Technical Official

Officiate at all local USAW sanctioned events, international tournaments, regional games, and continental championships, World Championships, and the Olympic Games.

 

To become a IWF Cat 1 ITO, one must:

 

  • Be a current USAW member in good standing.

  • Minimum of two years as an IWF Category 2 Technical Official.

  • Within the 24 calendar months to the application, the applicant must have officiated at a minimum of 8 total competitions, 4 of which must be USAW national competitions.

  • Submit a USAW Referee Test Application to take the IWF Category 1 written and practical tests.

  • Attend the online candidate rules seminar and pass the written test with a minimum score of 90%.

  • Attend a USAW national event for the practical test and pass with a minimum score of 95%.

  • USA Weightlifting background check in good standing.

  • USA Weightlifting SafeSport education in good standing.

Upon successful completion of the above:

The applicant must provide payment for the cost of an IWF Category 1 ITO License to USAW. USAW will forward this payment to the IWF and obtain an IWF Category 1 ITO License for the successful applicant. An IWF ITO License must be renewed with the IWF every Olympic period (four years).

IWF Cat 1 Technical Officials
Email Address
Arthur Dreschsler
lifttech@earthlink.net
Gerard Dunne
jerry.dunne@dunnelaw.net
Joseph Triolo
joet111@me.com
Kurt Roderick
kurtrod@gmail.com
Mark Solomon
w8lifting@aol.com
Sara Soto
truebeliever@mac.com
Referee 1.jpg

Photo Courtesy of Viviana Podhaiski.

International Weightlifting Federation

Category 2 International Technical Official

May officiate at all local USAW sanctioned events, international tournaments, regional games, and continental championships.

To become a IWF Cat 2 ITO, one must:

 

  • Be a current member of USAW in good standing.

  • Minimum of 5 years total experience as a referee, including at least 36 months at National Referee ranking.

  • Within the 24 months prior to application, officiate at a minimum of 12 total competitions, 8 of which must be USAW national competitions.

  • Submit a USAW Referee Test Application to take the IWF Category 2 written and practical tests.

  • Attend the online candidate rules seminar and pass the written test with a minimum score of 85%.

  • Attend a USAW national event for the practical test and pass with a minimum score of 90%.

  • USA Weightlifting background check in good standing.

  • USA Weightlifting SafeSport education in good standing.

 

Upon successful completion of the above:

 

The applicant must provide the payment for the cost of an IWF Category 2 ITO License to USAW. See the IWF rules for the current cost of an IWF Category 2 ITO License. USAW will forward this payment to the IWF; and obtain an IWF Category 2 ITO License for the successful applicant.

IWF Cat 2 Technical Officials
Email Address
Christopher Smith
longislandweightlifting@gmail.com
Erin Martin
erintmartin80@gmail.com
Joe Rodriguez
joe@cuppajoeweightlifting.com

USA Weightlifting National Referee

May referee at any USA Weightlifting sanctioned local competition and all USAW national competitions.

 

To become a National referee, one must:

 

  • Submit an USAW Referee Test Application to take the written and practical examinations.

  • Attend the online candidate rules seminar and pass the written test with a minimum score of 85%.

  • Attend a USAW national event for the practical test and pass with a minimum score of 90%.

  • USA Weightlifting background check in good standing.

  • USA Weightlifting SafeSport education in good standing

 

Upon successful completion of the above:

 

The National Office will issue a USA Weightlifting National Referee license and USA Weightlifting National Referee patch to the successful applicant. Other than USAW membership renewal, there are no costs or fees associated with becoming a USA Weightlifting National Referee. A USAW National Referee license remains valid as long as the holder maintains a current USAW membership.

USAW National Referees
Email Addresses
Beth Terranova
bethnterranova@gmail.com
Daniel Boland
bolandco90@gmail.com
David Benson
benson.david@gmail.com
David Fleming
coachdavefleming@gmail.com
Dena Smith
mamabeansdk@aol.com
Frank Mintz
frankmintz@yahoo.com
Ginelle Wynter
Iesha14@hotmail.com
Jeffrey Scott
jascott59@yahoo.com
Joanne Dreschsler
Jodgirl@earthlink.net
Julia Falamas
jfalamas@gmail.com
Melissa Molnar
peachdvle@yahoo.com
Tessandra Sage
tessandra.anne@gmail.com
Referee 2.jpg

Photo Courtesy of Viviana Podhaiski.

Local (WSO) Referee

May referee at any USA Weightlifting sanctioned local competition and when (specified), USAW national competitions.

 

To become a Local referee, one must:

 

  • Be a current USA Weightlifting member, 18 years or older.

  • Take the U.S. Center for SafeSport training and be in good standing.

  • Other than the cost of USAW membership renewal, there are no costs or fees associated with becoming a USA Weightlifting Local (WSO) referee. A USAW Local Referee license remains valid as long as the holder remains a current USAW member.

Local (WSO) Referees
Email Addresses
Adam Sagun
adsagun86@gmail.com
Adanze Asante
dcbowens00@gmail.com
Adriana Ancilleri
Aancilleri2@gmail.com
Albert Chun
albert.s.chun@gmail.com
Alice Liu
alicelydialiu@gmail.com
Alicia DiSpaltro
awiseman17@gmail.com
Allison DeWald
allie.dewald@gmail.com
Alyssa Garrison
Alyssagarrison97@gmail.com
Amanda Cann
amanda.cann@gmail.com
Ambrose Serrano
ambroseserrano@gmail.com
Amiee Lazar
xoamiee27@hotmail.com
Andrew Coppola
bear.abearica@gmail.com
Andrew Vasilatos
Andyv810@aol.com
Anna Hill
aite12321@gmail.com
Anna Oberkircher
Oberkircher.a@gmail.com
Anthony Gerasia
anthonykilo@gmail.com
Arianna Injeian
adelph1234@gmail.com
Ashley Gold
ashley.gold83@gmail.com
Benjamin Quachtran
ben.quachtran94@gmail.com
Brandi Eustice
brandieustice@gmail.com
Brennen Colwell
BAColwell@gmail.com
Brett Andrus
brettandrus826@gmail.com
Brian DeGennaro
bjdegennaro@gmail.com
Brooke Shinski
bshinski30@gmail.com
Bryan Jow
ImmortalH@gmail.com
Bryant Illenberg
Bryant@gryphonstrength.com
Calder Hannan
hannan.cal@gmail.com
Carl Nelson
carl@carlrnelson.com
Chad Weeden
theonlyone@gmail.com
Chelsea Pietrzykowski
pietrz.cp@gmail.com
Chris Harris
chrisharris8625@gmail.com
Christian Tsakanikas
christian.tsakanikas@gmail.com
Daiana Sismael Onuz
daianasismael@gmail.com
Daniel Casey
dcasey107@hotmail.com
Daniel Greco
dgrecofit@gmail.com
Daniel Smith
dansmithcpa@gmail.com
Deshawn Fairbairn
djf341@nyu.edu
Donald Nussbaum
dnusslaw@nyc.rr.com
Drew Nelson
dnelson5470@gmail.com
Emily Patka
Emily.g.patka@gmail.com
Eric Ryck
ejryck@gmail.com
Erica Caso
Erica.caso91@gmail.com
Eunsoo Han
euns02@gmail.com
Fen Dunn
ameliakdunn@gmail.com
Frank Ford
fordf86@gmail.com
Gayge Maggio
gaygemaggio@gmail.com
Gerard Finn
gerryfinn56@gmail.com
Gwendolyn Debly
gdougherty26@gmail.com
Haley Maisonet
hhahn125@gmail.com
Helen Coggin
helen.coggin@gmail.com
Ian Matlak
imatlak03@gmail.com
Ireneusz (Ike) Tomaszewski
i_tomaszewski@hotmail.com
Israel Gonzalez
coachiz@crossfit718.com
Ivan Duncan
iwduncan357@gmail.com
James (Jim) Storch
jpcrete@yahoo.com
James Battaglia
jamiebattaglia32@gmail.com
James Lewis
amplivolt92@gmail.com
James Malone
jmalonestrength@gmail.com
James McDermott
james.amcd@yahoo.com
Jamie Swagler
jswagler@swaglerstrength.com
Jared Scott
jscott83medical@hotmail.com
Jason Giles
jason.giles@ironmonkeystrength.com
Jean Laguerre
Jeanlaguerre90@gmail.com
Jean Raymond Fakhoury
jeanfakhoury@gmail.com
Jennifer Howell-Clark
jenniferhowellclark@gmail.com
Jennifer Portillo
jypm926@gmail.com
Jenny Ordon
jenny.ordon@gmail.com
Jessica Vanderbeek
jmvandbeek@gmail.com
Joe Floria
mail@crossfitnine7.com
Joelle Von Bischoffshausen
Joellevonb@yahoo.com
John Rivero
jjrivero@syr.edu
Josue Castaneda Pisano
TerryJosueNy@gmail.com
Juan Blanco
blanco@brooklyntraininghall.com
Julia Key
julia.b.key@gmail.com
Juliana Riotto
julianariotto1@gmail.com
Juliann Poserio
juliannposerio9@gmail.com
Katherine Hejtmanek
Maxesandprs@gmail.com
Kathleen Porter
kkatabus@aol.com
Katy Cook
cook.katy@ymail.com
Kay Cee Miller
kc@no-limits.me
Kelsey McCormack
kelseymccormack1122@gmail.com
Kevin Lee
info@mindfulintensityfit.com
Kevin Ostrander
kdostrander@gmail.com
Kyrsten Carlson
kyrstenfeb11@gmail.com
Lauren Kline
lkline360@gmail.com
Laurie Arias
lauriearias@hotmail.com
Lawrence Mintz
themintz81@gmail.com
Lisa Yang
lisayangllc@gmail.com
Mark Lado
mark_lado@yahoo.com
Mark Louros
MTLouros@gmail.com
Mark Ongeyberg
loramark00@yahoo.com
Mary Storch
thatswhy77@hotmail.com
Matthew Andrade
mattandrws@gmail.com
Matthew Flaherty
matthew.flaherty1369@gmail.com
Matthew Veronica
mveronicapt@gmail.com
Michael Castaldy
mikecastaldy@gmail.com
Michael Gorniak
mgorniak01@gmail.com
Michael Law
tcmlaw@gmail.com
Michael Mo
mikgmo@proton.me
Michelle Woogen
michellewoogen@gmail.com
Miguel Porter
mporter097@gmail.com
Mishanda Franklin
mfran70@gmail.com
Morgan Beattie
mbeattiee@gmail.com
Motier Haskins
motierhaskins@gmail.com
Muhammad Begaliev
mbegaliev92@gmail.com
Ned Norton
warriorsonwheels@yahoo.com
Owen Putnam
putmowen@gmail.com
Paul Steinman
paulie@southbrooklynwc.com
Peter Nickless
drpnickless@yahoo.com
Quan Yoon
Quan.Yoon@gmail.com
Quinton Huguley
qmhuguley@gmail.com
Rachel Berkowitz
Brkwtzr@gmail.com
Rachel Roller
reroller819@msn.com
Rae Shih
raeshih@gmail.com
Reginald Lominy
reginaldlominy@gmail.com
Renée Mihail
renee.mihail@gmail.com
Richard Curran
rcurran7499@gmail.com
Richard Ignizio
ignizio@mac.com
Richard Seibert
drrseibert@aol.com
Robert Marvald
rm794@yahoo.com
Robert Santoro
rlsantoro4@gmail.com
Ross Twanmoh
ross.twanmoh@gmail.com
Ryan Hansen
ryan@crossfitwarwick.com
Ryan Laughlin
Ryan.laughlin@outlook.com
Ryan Walsh
walshryan322@gmail.com
Salma Nakhlawi
salmanakhlawi@gmail.com
Samantha Orme
sam@brooklynbarbell.com
Samuel Anderson
Smanders2022@gmail.com
Samuel Axten
samuel.axten@gmail.com
Sayvanna SFabian
sayvanna.fabian@gmail.com
Scott Schuster
schuster_scott@yahoo.com
Sean Jannicelli-Broda
sbroda94@gmail.com
Shaaf Syed
arzoosyed6@gmail.com
Shannon Dias
shanndias@gmail.com
Sheryl Yacalis
scyacalis@gmail.com
Sigfredo Rivera
sigfredor@gmail.com
Sioban Sedney
smg123897@aol.com
Sosara Ma
sosara_ma@yahoo.com
Steven Marcus
stema308@gmail.com
Steven Terry
steven.robert.terry@gmail.com
Steven Titus
titusbyc@yahoo.com
Tacora Beasley
tacorabeasley@gmail.com
Taylor Payne
Tapayne179@gmail.com
Traci Meier
tracisapple@gmail.com
Valerie Combs
Valerie_E_Combs@yahoo.com
Victor Huang
vhuang0402@gmail.com
Victoria Ferreira
Davick56@yahoo.com
Vitaly Zvonchuk
vitalyzvonchuk@gmail.com
Wayne Strong
wstrong862@gmail.com
Zeena Hernandez
hernandezzeena@gmail.com
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