
[UPDATE: Alyssa Ritchey has announced via Instagram that she is moving down a weight class to compete as a 48kg lifter.]
The 2016 USAW American Open Series will take a look at two weight categories every weekday through Wednesday, December 7, the day before the start of the American Open.
Take a look at the previews already posted:
Women’s 48kg
Men’s 56kg
The 53kg Session A is set to take the platform at 6:30pm EST on Friday, December 9.
Last year’s Women’s 53kg champion was Charis Chan. Chan set a new American Record Snatch at 86kg and totalled 187kg, besting Melanie Roach by 10kg. Since the meet, however, Chan has been rumored to have failed a drug test at the event. Chan was disqualified from the 2016 CrossFit Games season in advance of a confirmed positive test. There has still not been an official statement or ruling from USA Weightlifting regarding Chan’s status.
Last year’s medalists were:
Place | Snatch | Clean & Jerk | Total |
1 | Charis Chan (86) | Melanie Roach (101) | Charis Chan (187) |
2 | Jourdan Delacruz (77) | Charis Chan (101) | Melanie Roach (177) |
3 | Ellen Kercher (77) | Kaija Bramwell (92) | Shantai Dickerson (166) |
Here’s who to look out for this year…
Cortney Batchelor

Cortney Batchelor competed as a 58kg in the 2015 American Open finishing 6th with a 178kg total. Batchelor moved down to the 53kg weight category in 2016 to compete in the U.S. Olympic Trials, but failed to post a total. Her 86kg snatch was the best in the 53kg weight category and her 105kg clean and jerk attempts would have been good for first as well. With a successful day at the American Open, Batchelor should be competing for the top of the podium.
Jourdan Delacruz

Jourdan Delacruz is one of the best junior lifters and currently holds the Junior American Record Snatch (79kg), Clean & Jerk (95kg) and Total (174kg) in the 53kg weight category. All of these records were set at the 2016 USAW National University & Under 25 Championships in September. That total will likely put her in the running for a spot on the podium.