USAWA

Last year, Allison Lupo was the Newcomer of the Year. However, this year, she was voted as the 2026 USAWA Sportsman of the year in the Women’s Division. She certainly embodies the definition of the word sportsman as person who behaves sportingly, which is to say in a fair or generous manner (pictured below). A sportsman is someone you think of that is never loud, someone who helps make the meet run in the background and doesn’t seek credit, and someone who picks up their teammates. She also pushes herself to do her best at each meet and take quiet joy in success and accepts that not every lift will be successful. She finished her referee training and is now a lifetime certified USAWA referee. As a referee, she calls ‘em as she sees ‘em and nice and loud. And she doesn’t give unfair breaks – even to family members (and I appreciate that since it keeps me sharp!). Allison has been an athlete her whole life. In her youth she was a tennis and softball star. She found out she has a real talent for the USAWA’s unique brand of lifts. Allison learns the techniques real well and real fast. Better than other members of the household! She’s always been strong and has managed to pile up nearly 300 USAWA records which is good enough for 3^rd all-time in the Women’s Division! She’s a valued part of the Clark’s Gym team. In her daily life, she manages the kitchen at Our Lady of Lourdes elementary school, and her strength and endurance helps keep the cafeteria in line. She also manages to keep her household in line. This guy is thankful to have a strong and beautiful spouse. Congratulations to Allison as the 2026 USAWA Sportsman of the Year for the Women’s Division!