By Strength and Power Hall of Fame
A brief personal history:
Sheryl is a native of Savannah, Georgia who began competing in weightlifting in high school under the direction of Coach Michael Cohen with Team Savannah. At her first National Championships in 1991, she placed 2nd to Robin Byrd (Goad). Sheryl competed in the first ever Junior National Championships for women, winning in the 52kg class. She went on to win the Collegiate Championships and the American Open, as well as compete in 2 Olympic Festivals before "retiring" in 1998 to start a family. Sheryl married Michael Cohen in 1997 and they have 4 children.
What lead you to your sport:
Sheryl was introduced to weightlifting in high school as a member of Team Savannah. She joined with a friend and quickly realized that she could be competitive in the sport of Olympic Weightlifting.
Tell us about your achievements in your sport:
• 1991 AAU Jr. Olympic Champion, Tallahassee, FL (National event for athletes 18 and Under)
• 1991 Junior National Record holder
• 1992, 4th place International Foocherng Cup, Taiwan
• 2 time National Champion in Junior division (1991, 1993)
The Junior National Championships are held annually and are for athletes age 20 and Under from all across the United States.
• 2 time Olympic Festival Team Member (top 4 athletes in the Nation per weight class) 1991, 1993
• American Open Champion, 1996
The American Open is also a National event for all ages for all athletes from across the USA.
• USA Collegiate Champion, 1996 (A National competition for all athletes in college)
• World Team Trials Silver medalist, 2001, after having 2 children by c-section
(A National event for the top 20 athletes male and female in the USA)
• Gold medalist in International competition in Toronto, Canada, 1990
• 4 time Silver medalist at USA National Championships (1991, 92, 99, 2001- after having 2 children). The National Championships are held annually and are for athletes of all ages from all across the United States.
• 3 time Bronze medalist at USA National Championships (1996, 97, 2004 – after having 3 children) In 2004, Sheryl was the oldest athlete on the medal stand and the only one to have placed in National competition after having 3 children.
• 2009 Gold Medalist at the Arnold Classic Weightlifting Championships in Ohio
* 7 Time National Masters Champion
* 3 Time Pan American Masters Champion
* World Masters Champion
State, National and World records:
Sheryl broke World records in 2019 in the Women's 45 age group, 45kg class as well as National records in the same age group and weight class.
Other accomplishments:
• 1992 Savannah Sports Monthly student athlete of the month
• 1992 Savannah Sports Monthly Student Athlete of the Year
• Featured in Savannah Magazine (1996)
• Featured in Women’s Weightlifting World Magazine (1992)
• Featured in Oglethorpe Mall Advertising with Team Savannah
• Featured in OLift Magazine (2015)
Graduated Magna Cum Laude with mathematics degree and MAT with teaching certification in Special Education
Inducted in the Greater Savannah Athletic Hall of Fame and National Masters Hall of Fame (as contributor and athlete 2021)
Activities within the sport i.e. Judge, meet director, trainer, demonstrations, community activities etc.
Sheryl is National Coach and National Referee. She is one of the coaches with Team Savannah. Sheryl and Michael also host many local, state, National and International weightlifting competitions.
Author: By Strength and Power Hall of Fame Completed: yes Created: Sun Jul 04 17:21:28 UTC 2021 | Last Updated: Fri Dec 22 04:16:00 UTC 2023