Women’s bobsledder and 2007 America’s Cup Champion Jamia Jackson (Flagstaff, Ariz.) finished third in the 69 kg weight class at US Weightlifting National Championships in Schaumburg, Ill., on Saturday, May 12.

“It was a great experience competing in my first national weightlifting meet,” Jackson said. “My performance wasn’t what I wanted it to be, because I’ve lifted more in training, so in that sense it was a little disappointing. But it was a learning experience and I had a good time.”

The US Weightlifting National Championships served as a qualifier for the Pan American Games and World Championships Teams, putting Jackson against the most competitive athletes vying for a spot on the team in only her first national weightlifting competition.

“I was nervous but also very excited,” Jackson said. “I was ready to go. Once the first lift was out of the way, I was able to relax.”

Jackson placed third in the snatch with 75 kg, third in the clean and jerk with 95 kg, giving her a third overall ranking in the 69 kg weight class.

“She looked incredibly strong,” United States Olympic Committee Strength and Conditioning Coordinator Jon Carlock said. “I was pleased to see the ease with which she completed her lifts. This was only her third competition and to place third at Nationals is a significant accomplishment. She has a lot more in her for sure.”

Jackson plans to continue pursuing Olympic weightlifting, although bobsledding will remain her primary focus.

“Olympic lifting isn’t going to hurt me, it will only help,” Jackson said. “Bobsledding is my first love, but I would enjoy doing weightlifting as well.”

“None of this would have been possible if it hadn’t been for Jon and Lisa Carlock [Finance Manager for the USBSF], who made the trip to Chicago to support me. If it hadn’t been for Jon, I would never have reached this level of competition.”

Jackson will continue her off-season training at the US Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista before returning to Lake Placid, N.Y. in October for the start of the 2007-08 bobsledding season, where she will seek to add to her America’s Cup crown. Jackson won the 2007 America’s Cup title after winning five medals in six races.

“Jackson is one of our top up and coming bobsled drivers,” Executive Director for the US Bobsled and Skeleton Federation Terry Kent said. “She has potential for 2010 and beyond.”

For complete results of the meet visit U.S. Weightlifting’s official site at http://www.msbn.tv/usavision/.

Editor’s Note: Jamia Jackson is the daughter of Zearah and Betty Jackson of Lake City, and the granddaughter of Zeffie Daniels and the late Willis Daniels, and the late Zearah and Lillie Jackson, all of Jasper.