Rachel Crass Colorado Strength and Power HoF inductee 2022

By Strength and Power Hall of Fame

A brief personal history:
My first competition was a deadlift-only meet in 1992, when I was 7 years old. I was the only girl, and the youngest division for boys was U12, so that's the division I competed in. I deadlifted 57.5k, which was slightly over 2x bodyweight at the time, and won! The following summer, I competed in my first weightlifting meet, slightly irritated to win the "Best Female Lifter" award as the only female in the entire competition. After competing in a variety of sports over the next several years, by high school I focused on soccer and weightlifting and competed for Team USA on the Junior World Team from 2001-2004. I took a break after becoming a mom and came back to compete on the 2010 Senior World Team. An injury sustained in training led me to shift toward running competitions and advocating for athletes' rights and equitable treatment, where I have been focused ever since. After 12 years as an elected Elite Athlete Representative for USA Weightlifting, I am now set to graduate the University of Denver Law School in 2026 to continue to give voice to unheard athletes' challenges. I am happily married in Denver, CO, with 3 children, a 13-lb dog, 14-lb cat, bearded dragon, and leopard gecko.
What led you to your sport:
My dad, Derrick Crass, is a 2-time Olympian in the sport of weightlifting. I was born while he was between Games and grew up watching him train. It was a natural progression in our family to start lifting, despite it not being a mainstream thing for a girl to do.

Achievements in your sport:
2001-2004: USAW Junior World Team -2001: Team Gold, at 15 was youngest female athlete in the world Held All Schoolage Records in my weight class until records were retired in 2004 due to age group change. 2004: Olympic Team Trials, Best Female Lifter at 2004 Junior Nationals 2010: Senior World Team 2010-2022: Elite Athlete Representative 2010: Created 1st ever Women's Only USAW Coaching Course 2011: International Media Director for IWF Junior World Championships 2013: At 28, became youngest International Team Coach for USAW at 2015 U15 Pan-American Championships 2019: Competed at USA Powerlifting Raw National Championships 2019: Ran 1st ever sanctioned Athlete Camp for USAPL, with additional camps run annually
State, national and world records:
USAW National Schoolage (U16). I'd have to go back and look at exact numbers. 85k snatch and 105k CJ, I believe, in 2001. Don't quote me on that. I'll check!
 
Other Activities within the sport:
Co-Meet Director of the Arnold Weightlifting Championships from 2009-2012, when we hosted the National Championships and Olympic Team Trials there as well.

Author: By Strength and Power Hall of Fame Completed: yes Created: Tue Sep 13 19:42:47 UTC 2022 | Last Updated: Wed Dec 27 13:59:58 UTC 2023