Monthly Archives: April 2010

What’s your Reward?

by Thom Van Vleck

Thom Van Vleck hoists his reward, a free beer at the Inver Inn in Scotland after hoisting the Inver Stone

We all lift for a variety of reasons. And at some time we’ve probably had someone question our sanity for the things we do! I mean, really, why would a grown man travel half way around the world just to put on a kilt, and lift a 265lb Stone, just to get a free beer? I must mention that there is a tradition that if you lift the Inver Stone, you get a free beer and so far I know of at least 4 USAWA members who have done it. Why would someone travel across the country, or even across the ocean….just to do a Bent press and maybe win a small award of some type.

I should point out that I also competed in the Master World Championships in Highland Games in that trip in Inverness…..but I don’t know if that makes my trip any more sane. All I got for that was a medal and two shot glasses (although, they have come in handy!)

Some people lift, or compete in athletics, because of money. I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with that….I might have done the same thing had I been good enough. Some people do it for the personal challenge and could care less who sees them break a record. Some do it for glory. Some do it for attention (I’ve been accused of that a time or two). There are probably many more reasons. Often, the reasons change over the years.

My point is that it seems when I have my priorities straight, when I have a goal, and when I know what my reward will be…..I seem to make greater progress. Having that clear image of the reward can help with great gains. My Uncle Phil Jackson used to say to me that the only time Success comes before Work is in the dictionary.

That free beer meant a lot to me. What’s your reward?

Meeting Bob Hoffman

by Dale Friesz

"This picture is of myself, the one and only Bob Hoffman, and my youngest daughter, Pam age 4. This picture was taken in 1972 at the Junior Nationals Olympic Lifting Competition, just outside of Washington D.C." - Dale Friesz

Eastern Open Postal Meet

Results of the Eastern Open Postal Meet

by Al Myers

The month of March was the first of the USAWA’s Quad Postal Series. John Wilmot is again the Meet Director for these Postal Meets, and through his hard work, put together one of the most participated Postal Meets to date. Thirteen lifters turned in results for this competition, and several placings were very close. The lifts John chose were easy to do which I think helped in the turnout of lifters. John went to the work of sending out nice certificates to the winners, which is more than expected in a meet where you don’t have to pay an entry fee. I want to point out that you do not need a Certified USAWA Official to participate in these Postal Meets – but you do need someone to “unofficially judge” your lifts. You also must be a current USAWA member to participate. Of course, it is best to have Certified Officials judge your lifts as that is mandatory for any lifts to count as records. The USAWA allows the “One Official System” to be used for records, but IAWA (World Records) require the “Three Official System” to be used. This is specified on the results sheet so the Records Chairmen of the USAWA and the IAWA will know which lifters are eligible for records.

Congratulations to the Best Lifters and thanks to everyone who participated. Your continually support of these Postal Meets is what is needed to keep them going!

RESULTS:

Eastern Open Postal Meet
March 1-31, 2010

Meet Director:  John Wilmot

Lifts:  Clean and Press – 2 Dumbbells, Heels Together, Continental to Belt, Deadlift – 2 Dumbbells

Officials for lifters using 3 official system:
Al Myers – Chad Ullom, Mark Mitchell, Scott Tully
Chad Ullom – Al Myers, Mark Mitchell, Scott Tully
Jesse Landes – Al Myers, Chad Ullom, Scott Tully
Scott Tully – Al Myers, Chad Ullom, Mark Mitchell
Mark Mitchell – Al Myers, Chad Ullom, Scott Tully
Joe Ciavattone Sr. – Frank Ciavattone Jr., Mike O’Brien
Frank Ciavattone Jr. – Joe Ciavattone Sr., Mike O’Brien
Mike O’Brien – Joe Ciavattone Sr., Frank Ciavattone Jr.
Joe Ciavattone Jr. – Frank Ciavattone Jr., Joe Ciavattone Sr., Mike O’Brien

Officials for lifters using 1 official system:
Kohl Hess – Denny Habecker

Lifters using an individual to judge who is not a Certified USAWA Official:
Orie Barnett
John Wilmot
Denny Habecker

Lifter Age BWT Cls DB Press
 Con to Belt
 DB DL
 Total Points
Al Myers
 43 250 115 170 424 578 1172 967.18
Chad Ullom
 38 235 110 170 402 490 1062 869.88
Joe Ciavattone Jr.
 16 212 100 140 350 400 890 846.94
Orie Barnett
 49 230 105 160 350 402 912 831.15
Joe Ciavattone Sr.
 41 245 115 180 375 410 965 788.92
Mark Mitchell
 49 365 125+ 210 363 424 997 779.64
Jesse Landes
 30 238 110 150 308 490 948 771.29
Denny Habecker
 67 184 85 110 242 275 628 752.53
Mike O’Brien
 27 145 70 80 275 310 665 724.25
Scott Tully
 34 352 125+ 200 308 490 998 709.48
Frank Ciavattone Jr.
 55 285 125+ 60 335 410 805 694.56
John Wilmot
 63 211 100 100 225 280 605 650.80
Kohl Hess
 15 283 125+ 110 220 341 672 577.17


BWT is body weight in pounds. Cls is bodyweight class. Total is total pounds lifted. Points are adjusted points for bodyweight and age.

BEST LIFTERS:

Junior – Joe Ciavattone Jr.

Senior (20-39 age) – Chad Ullom

Master (40-44 age) – Al Myers

Master (45-49 age) – Orie Barnett

Master (55-59 age) – Frank Ciavattone Jr.

Master (60-64 age) – John Wilmot

Master (65-69 age) – Denny Habecker

Master Overall – Al Myers

Overall Lifter – Al Myers

USAWA Awards Program

by Al Myers

It is exciting to be able to announce the start of the USAWA Awards Program. Discussion on the development of this Awards Program happened on the USAWA Discussion Forum, with everyone showing overwhelming support. These awards will be given out the USAWA National Meeting which occurs at the same time as the National Championships over the weekend of June 26th and 27th. Nominations must be sent to me by April 30th. The two individuals receiving the most nominations will be listed as the candidates for the awards, with voting done by May 15th by the membership. You must be a USAWA member to make a nomination or cast a vote. Only one individual may be nominated per person per award. The awards are for the year 2009. An individual may be nominated for more than one award. The award categories are as follows:

Athlete of the Year – This award is for the individual who has accomplished the most athletically within the last year in the USAWA. Top placings at the Nationals and World Championships should figure in high. Also, participation in other National Competitions such as the Heavy Event Nationals or Team Nationals could factor in, along with the Gold Cup.

Leadership Award – This is for an individual that has shown exceptional leadership qualities within the USAWA during the past year. Things that should be looked at are: going above the level expected of an Officer position, promoting sanctioned events with emphasis being on promoting National or World Competitions, promoting the USAWA by developing a strong club, writing articles for publications about the USAWA, or through other means.

Sportsmanship Award – This goes to an individual who possesses and shows great sportsmanship within the USAWA. The act of sportsmanship may be by conduct at all events, or by an specific example of exceptional sportsmanship.

Courage Award – This goes to an individual who shows the courage to overcome an obstacle in order to return to competition. This may be a comeback from an injury, or just having to deal with difficult personal issues but still shows the courage to compete in the USAWA.

Newcomer Award – This award goes to an individual who in new to the USAWA or has become involved again. It doesn’t have to go to someone in their first year of being involved in the USAWA.

All nominations are to be sent to me at amyers@usawa.com by the 30th of April. I will keep the nominations confidential. The voting will end by May 15th to give me time to have the awards made. The USAWA Discussion Forum will be the place to discuss reasons why a certain candidate should be voted on, or for individuals to make the pitch why their candidate nominated should receive the award.

…And a Good Time Was Had By All

by Thom Van Vleck

Chad Ullom, Tedd & Thom Van Vleck, & Al Myers have a good time after a meet

I grew up in Schuyler County, Population about 3500. We had a weekly newspaper (long since gone) that often was filled with social items. There was this one lady that wrote about the gatherings and she would talk about who came, what they ate, and what they talked about…..big news where I came from. To be honest, I kinda miss that kind of news over the stuff we deal with now! At any rate, she would end her column with “…..and a good time was had by all”. That kind of became a “catch phrase” in my family for social gatherings.

Recently, Chad and Al came up for a contest I put on. Al’s Dad came along, too. As is usual, we all ended up at a “get together” at my place after meet. And, as usual, we ended up telling stories until the wee hours of the morning…and maybe a liquid refreshment or two. My wife went to bed at a reasonable hour (we did not!) and commented the next day, “Al sure laughs loud!!!”. The point is, we all laughed and we laughed a lot!

The next day, when we went to the Deanna meet, Al and I talked about this part of almost every meet and contest we have been to over the years. Al commented later that his dad told him, “I finally understand why you like to do these meets”. While I enjoy the challenge of competing and I have many memorable moments of contests, I have just as many stories about the trips to, and from, and the get together’s that happen afterwards. It’s all part of the fun.

I hopefully have many more contests to come in my life time, and win or lose, I will do my best to make sure they all end with “….and a Good Time was had by All!

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