Steve “Russ” Zito
DOB: 3/17/1986
Education:
2008 BS Mathematics Sacred Heart University
2010 MS Mathematics Fairfield University
2012 MS Mathematics University of Connecticut
2016 PhD Mathematics University of Connecticut
Certications:
LWC referee certified
USAW Level 1 ceritfied
Best lifts:
85kg: 121/150
94kg: 126/157
I had finished college in 2008 and was a lost soul in the weight room. I had read online about this exercise called an “overhead squat” and decided to give it a try. I laced up my converses, set the bar as high as the pins would allow, tightened up my wrist wraps, and away I went. A gentleman walked
into the gym, saw my plight, and said “Do you know what that exercise is?” I responded rather sheepishly I did not to which he replied: “That is an overhead squat. It is one half of a weightlifting movement called the snatch. Here, try these shoes on.” Little did I realize I was being introduced to the
sport of weightlifting by none other than Gary Valentine. I’ve been hooked ever since.