Professor lifts way to title in Hungary
Ellyn Robinson proved she is among the strongest weightlifters in the world this past weekend. The 42-year-old Bridgewater State College associate professor captured the gold medal at the World Masters Weightlifting Championships in Hungary that began Saturday.
The Hanover resident lifted 46 kilograms in the snatch and 65 kilograms in the clean and jerk to earn the title in the female 40-year-old division at 69 kilograms (151.8 pounds).
What Robinson teaches in her exercise physiology class she puts to use in her personal training. In July, she was working out in preparation of the world event with her coach, Mary Lynch, while motivating members of her weightlifting team, Team Bridgewater.
After a few years of body building in her 20s, Robinson returned to competitive weightlifting two years ago and quickly established herself. She has won back-to-back titles in the Pan American Masters, and last year she set the American Masters record at 69 kilograms in the snatch (47 kilograms) and clean and jerk (67 kilograms).
Last month, Robinson said she has dreams of becoming the first female Team USA coach later in her career.
"I love the sport and I love coaching it. . . . I have been looking for a passion that could fill and thrill me like sports have my whole life, and I'm finding that thrill through coaching," Robinson said. "I can give to the sport, and I hope to challenge myself to do that at the highest level."
Robinson also has found success in her teaching. She was selected the 2007 Educator of the Year by the National Strength and Conditioning Association, and she was awarded the 2007 Presidential Fellowship at Bridgewater State.
Basketball team wins a national crown
Last month, the Mass Destruction Elite AAU 12-and-under basketball team captured a Division 2 national championship in Lexington, Ky.
The Brockton-based squad was undefeated in nine tournament games with a roster that included players from Sharon, Brockton, and Stoughton.
Five of the players were members of the 2006 11-and-under team that finished third in the same tournament last year, according to coach Tony Blakely. This year's team developed chemistry and worked well together, despite limited practices, Blakely said.
With a very athletic group able to disrupt opposing offenses with pressure defense, Mass Destruction flourished playing at a fast-paced tempo. The squad opened the tournament with an impressive 77-33 win over the Kentucky Stars and earned a hard-fought 48-44 win over the Metrolina Havoc in the quarterfinals.
In the championship game, Mass Destruction defeated Ferrari, the Central regional champion, 44-35. Before the game, the coaches told the players, "We're going to beat these Ferraris and go on our way to get our Bentley," according to Blakely
In its second year as a program, Mass Destruction was founded by former New England Patriots nose tackle and defensive end Brent Williams, who played from 1986 to 1993.
Swimmers in top 15 at national meets
Pat Reams of North Easton and Kristen Connors of Mansfield each earned top 15 finishes at national swimming meets in July and August.
Reams, 20, finished 15th in the 200-meter butterfly (2 minutes, 2.10 seconds) at the
Connors, 17, finished 15th in the 200-meter breaststroke (2:39.66) at the Speedo Junior National Championships, Aug. 6-10, also held in Indianapolis.
Boyle completes another triathlon
Veronica Boyle of Stoughton, profiled on these pages last week, finished 20th among women at the sixth annual Cranberry Country Triathlon held Sunday in Lakeville, her fourth triathlon since July 1. The event included a 0.8-mile swim, 24.9-mile bike ride, and a 6.2-mile run.
Boyle was among the 562 competitors who finished the event out of 725 participants through the heat and humidity.
The trek took competitors along Loon Pond and Route 18 in Lakeville, and Boyle finished in 2 hours, 27 minutes, and 5 seconds. Juli Nievergelt (2:09:52) of Norfolk was the top women's finisher.
Boyle is not slowing down. Her next event will be the FirmMan Half Ironman on Sept. 9 in Rhode Island, where she will compete as part of a team in the 56-mile cycling portion of the event.
Monique Walker can be reached at mwalker@globe.com. 
