April 12, 2007
Quotes From The Night of Champions
A standing-room-only crowd filled the weight room at the L.F. “Tow” Diehm Athletics Facility Wednesday night for the 15th New Mexico Football Night of Champions. The annual weightlifting exhibition, coordinated by UNM strength and conditioning coordinator Mark Paulsen and his staff, marked the formal end of the Lobos’ off-season strength training program. New Mexico begins spring practice on Monday, April 16 from 3-5 p.m.
Highlights of the evening included junior safety Brandon Johnson’s near effortless performance in the squat, sophomore Ian Clark’s position record in the power clean and senior offensive tackle Devin Clark’s three attempts at a school mark in the power clean.
Inspired by the roar of the crowd and many highly-energized teammates, the 5-11, 200-pound Johnson produced a prodigious squat lift of 570 pounds. The previous record was 555 pounds by Josh Bazinet. Johnson came to UNM in January from Mississippi Delta College.
Ian Clark, a 2005 graduate of Albuquerque Highland High School, hoisted 343 pounds in the power clean. Bazinet held the previous record of 340 pounds.
Devin Clark, who has experience in national Olympic-style weightlifting competitions, fell just short in his three tries at 401 pounds in the power clean. He still set a record for Lobo offensive lineman with a lift of 374 pounds. That means former UNM running back Jarrod Baxter’s record of 391 pounds set in 2001 is safe for another year.
The oldest record to fall during spring testing was established by sophomore punter Adam Miller. He had a power clean of 318 pounds to make a new standard for Lobo kickers. The previous mark was 308 pounds by current UNM safeties coach Danny Gonzales in 1997.
Two UNM position records were set earlier in the week with sophomore quarterback Victor James bench pressing 385 pounds and lifting 320 pounds in the power clean.
The 2007 Beefmaster award winners were named on Thursday morning. The trophies are presented annually to the strongest players, pound-for-pound, in four separate weight categories. The winners are determined by calculating the combined total weight lifted in four events: the bench press, incline press, power clean and squat.
2007 Beefmasters
Under 200 pounds: Senior safety OJ Swift
200-224 pounds: Sophomore lobo (S) Ian Clark
225-249 pounds: Senior linebacker Brett Madsen
250-274 pounds: Junior defensive end Jeremiah Lovato
Over 275 pounds: Senior offensive tackle Devin Clark