Art’s Birthday Bash

by John McKean

MEET RESULTS – ART’S BIRTHDAY BASH “ART’S INTERNATIONAL”

On probably the most beautiful morning this Fall, we gathered to celebrate Art Montini’s 89th birthday. As it turned out ,we were also celebrating Scotland’s George Dick’s birthday THAT DAY, along with a host of lifters from around the world -we had 22 lifters going for records from the U.S. , Great Britain, Scotland, Finland, Australia, and Kentucky (technically a US state,but we rarely admit it!).

We had a host of new lifters, the youngest and lightest being the very impressive Jackson LaPointe. Jackson displayed amazing form on swings,cleans, and deadlifts, being well coached by his famous “Atomic Athletic” dad, Roger, who also competed. Another whole team of teens came over from Zanesville, Ohio, coached by personable Don Graham, a long time powerlifter. Gees, this clean cut group of guys were strong!But I almost overlooked their 20 year teammate, a young lady who was the typical all-American looking farm girl, easy to mistake as one of the guys’ girlfriend,rather than a lifter! But,dang, she almost outlifted the guys, posting a 405# Anderson squat, and one arm deadlift of 225, at 142 bwt !

Of course Dean Ross was up with the chickens, driving in from Oklahoma, doing his lifts along with other early birds, Art & me, then leaving after an energetic record setting spree to instantly drive cross country back home! Art wanted to celebrate his disrespect for the aging process by giving the finger 5 times, via ring, index, and middle digits hefting record weights.Soon after, Stephen Santangelo, my ole buddy from Kentucky, showed up to do this annual “workout” with me. Stephen is always very creative, and had made his very own,up to specs, “Inch Dumbbell” to perform a few records!

I’d been a bit upset that I hadn’t been able to attend and see some of our truly great foreign All-Rounders at the World’s the week earlier, but apparently Denny Habecker kidnapped them all, locked them in his basement all week, and drove them to Ambridge for the meet!! Of course, Australian iron man, Peter Phillips had already arrived to add class& international flare for the meet, but out of Denny’s vehicle popped Steve and Karen Gardner, George Dick and his lovely wife, along with Finland’s grip superman, Timo Lauttamus and his beautiful girlfriend!Musta been the biggest INTERNATIONAL contest ever sponsored in the Ambridge VFW Barbell Club’s 55 year history!

Scott Schmidt and his lovely, ever smiling wife came over from Cleveland, as did Dennis and Flossy Mitchell, these two wonderful families very rarely missing Art’s birthday festivities, and lifing superbly, as usual. Joining Scott and Denny during their time on the platform was a super strong local lady, Beth Bulebush, a very welcome newcomer who is already excited about lifting in the master’s division at the nearby Vermilion ,Ohio 2017 Nationals. And Bob Geib drove  3 hours from Vermilion just to make a list of LIFTS that ALL our lifters would suggest, and to make th Nationals next year a really BALANCED group of events,for once!

Well, the group of internationals and Art (we’re not even sure he’s from this PLANET!) were so excited about the lifting, that they’ll all jump in Denny’s car Tuesday for a LONG drive and do it all over again at Al’s Gold Cup! Can’t beat the Autumn air for all-round enthusiasm !

Meet Results:

Art’s INTERNATIONAL Birthday Bash
October 16th, 2016
Ambridge VFW Barbell Club
Ambridge, PA

Meet Director: Art Montini

Officials (3-official system used): Steve Gardner, Denny Habecker, Art Montini, Pete Phillips, Scott Schmidt, Dennis Mitchell,John McKean

Lifts: Record Day

Jackson La Pointe   age 9  29K  bwt  Class 30 k ,under 13
right dumbbell swing 20 pounds
Ciavattone deadlift 96 pounds
continental clean 50 #
right dumbbell clean & jerk 25.2
trap bar deadlift 105#

Dennis Mitchell  age 84  148# bwt Class 70K 80+
one hand deadlift left 136 1/4 #
one hand deadlift right  136 1/4#
2 dumbbell press 30#
feet in air bench press 65#

Roger LaPointe age 45 bwt 164# Class 45+, 75K
right dumbbell swing 83#
Fulton bar continental to chest 70K
continental clean&jerk 90K
Fulton bar hack lift 100K
1 hand (r) barbell clean &jerk 88#

Stephen R Santangelo age 64 bwt 164# Class 60+, 75K
Inch dumbbell deadlift -R  113#
Inch dumbbell deadlift -L   101#
Hackenschmidt floor press 185#
Fulton bar bench press 145#
Rectangular Fix 85#

John McKean  age 70 bwt 164 1/4# Class 70+,75K
Thumbless deadlift, alt hands grip 210#  (also for international: thumbless deadlift, hands forward 190#)
Deadlift heels together 250#
Ciavattone deadlift 250#
Fulton bar deadlift 235#
Hackenschmidt Floor press 125#

Art Montini   (stone) age 89  bwt 171# class 85+ ,80K
left ring finger 83# left middle finger 83#
right index finger 38#  right ring finger 83
right middle finger 83#

Don Graham  age 62  bwt 187  class 60+ , 85K
press from rack 160#
Anderson press 185#
Cyr dumbbell press 80#
Left Dumbbell snatch 60#
right hand dumbbell snatch 75#

Denny Habecker age 74 bwt 91K class 70+ ,95K
reverse curl  65#
2 dumbbells cheat curl 90#
Left dumbbell press 50#
right dumbbell press 60#
right dumbbell cheat curl 50#

Timo Lauttamus age 37 bwt 96.5K class 100K(Finland)
straddle lift, little fingers  225#
straddle lift, index fingers 295#
straddle lift ,middle fingers 385#
one hand(L) Ciavattone 294.5#
one hand Fulton deadlift (LEFT HAND) 213#

Peter R Phillips age 62  bwt 104K  class 60+,105K(Australia)
Deadlift, stiff leg 142.5K
Bench Press,225#

Scott Schmidt age 63 bwt 232 #, class 60+ , 110 K
reverse curl 62.5K
jerk behind neck (rack) 70K
2hand vertical bar deadlift (2″bars) 132.5K

Dean Ross age 73 bwt 253# class 70+,115K
2 dumbbells deadlift 220#
right dumbbell deadlift 110#
left dumbbell deadlift 110#
stiff leg deadlift 255#
roman chair bench press 65#

Bob Geib  age 73 bwt 273 class 70+ ,125K
right dumbbell swing 20K
stiff leg deadlift 70K

Beth Bulebush age 48 bwt 283#, class female,45+, 130K
good morning 115#
Fulton bench press 103#
standing press from rack 75#
seated press from rack 80#
pinch grip lift(2 hand) 80#

Steve Gardner age 59 bwt 148.5 K  class 55+, 150 K (England)
left index finger lift 163#
right index finger lift 163#
2″ bar straddle lift 100kg
index fingers Deadlift 90 kilos

Karen Gardner 78.5 kilos and 57yrs
2″ bar Straddle 80 kilos
right hand middle finger lift 37.6 kilos

George Dick 138.4 kilos and 68 yrs
left hand 2″ Vertical 58.5 kilos
right hand 2″ Vertical 58.5 kilos
2×2″ Vertical bars with 127 kilos
right hand middle finger and right hand index finger both with 40 kilos
hand and thigh lift with 195 kilos
one inch Vertical bar lift with 47.8 kilos with both left and right hand