Author Archives: Dave Glasgow

Christmas Extravaganza RB

by Dave Glasgow

Cancelled-

MEET ANNOUNCEMENT

LEDAIG HEAVY ATHLETICS

PRESENTS:

CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA

USAWA RECORD BREAKERS

18 DEC.-2010 1330 HRS.

RAINBOW BEND, KS, USA

THIS EVENT WILL BE IN A HEATED BUILDING!

FOLLOWING THE EVENT, A CATERER MEAL WILL BE PROVIDED, AS WELL AS LIBATIONS!!

PLEASE MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO ATTEND. I WOULD ALSO REQUEST AN RSVP.

QUESTIONS? DGLASGOW@COX.NET

SEE YOU THERE!!

Ledaig Record Day

Results from the Ledaig Record Day

by Dave Glasgow

Group Picture from the 2010 Ledaig Record Day. Pictured left to right: Mike Murdock, Dave Glasgow, Scott Tully, Amber Glasgow, Darren Barnhart, and Chad Ullom. Not pictured because he was taking the picture, Al Myers.

Seven strength athletes thumbed their noses at high humidity and higher temperatures to battle gravity in the first annual Ledaig Heavy Athletics record breakers day. This event was the first hosted by the Ledaig (pronounced ‘led-chig’) Heavy Athletics club, Rainbow Bend, KS., one of the newest clubs in the USAWA.  It will not be the last time this club will hold an event!

Meet Director Dave Glasgow looking over the Record List.

A total of 46 records were established, some new, some old. Leading the charge was Chad Ullom, long time veteran of team Dino Gym. His nine records showed an overall strength that tells what a well rounded strength program can do for it’s practitioner.

Close behind in the record race was the venerable Al Myers, who tied with Dave Glasgow, with eight new records for the books. It was because of Al’s persuasion that this event was staged. Thanks, Al!  Al’s knowledge of the lifts and lifters of the past really added to the event! Very informative!

Next came Darren Barnhart, who set seven new marks and pulled a most outstanding 300# in the Bent Over Row, one of the newest lifts in the USAWA.

Close behind was the USAWA’s newest member, Amber Glasgow, who had six records.   Her Turkish Get Up and Over head Squat being the highlight of her record day. Good job, tink!!

Mike Murdock showed us, again, that age is no restriction to being strong.  Mike set 5 records that will be tough to break! Great job, Mike!

New USAWA member Amber Glasgow, of the Ledaig Heavy Athletics Club, made her mark in the USAWA Record List.

Rounding out the ‘record race’ was Scott Tully, who put three marks up that were most impressive. His nonchalant effort with 245# in the Maxey Press  was very attention getting.  There is more in the tank , for sure! Outstanding, Scott!

It should also be mentioned that five of these lifters, Chad, Mike, Al, Amber and Dave, were all coming back from the day before, when they participated in the Ledaig Highland Games, where searing temps and brutal humidity ruled the day.  Needless to say, there were some tired folks come Sunday afternoon!!

Finally, I would like to thank those who came to this gathering.  Most came some distance to participate and I am very appreciative of it! Please, plan to be at this event next year, as it has become, now, and annual event!!

Results:

Ledaig Record Day
Ledaig Heavy Athletics Club
Rainbow Bend, Kansas
July 18th, 2010

Meet Director:  David Glasgow

Officials (three certified USAWA officials were used on all lifts):  Al Myers, Scott Tully, Chad Ullom, Dave Glasgow, and Darren Barnhart

Amber Glasgow – 31 years old, Female, 140 pounds, 65K Class

Bent Over Row: 115 pounds
Press – Dumbbell, Right Arm: 35 pounds
Press – Dumbbell, Left Arm: 35 pounds
Turkish Get-Up: 35 pounds
Push Press – From Rack: 100 pounds
Squat – Overhead: 85 pounds

Scott Tully – 34 years old, 341 pounds, 125+K  Class

Rectangular Fix – Fulton Bar: 95 pounds
Press – Dumbbell, Left Arm: 105 pounds
Maxey Press: 245 pounds

Chad Ullom – 38 years old, 238 pounds, 110K Class

Bent Over Row: 275 pounds
Clean and Press – Alternate Grip: 185 pounds
Judd Clean and Jerk: 155 pounds
Press – Dumbbell, Left Arm: 95 pounds
Turkish Get-Up: 70 pounds
Clean and Jerk – Fulton Bar: 250 pounds
Deadlift – Fulton Bar, Right Arm: 165 pounds
Deadlift – Fulton Bar, Left Arm: 165 pounds
Rectangular Fix – Fulton Bar: 95 pounds

Darren Barnhart – 42 years old, 290 pounds, 125+K Class

Bent Over Row: 300 pounds
Rectangular Fix – Fulton Bar: 95 pounds
Deadlift – Fulton Bar, Left Arm: 180 pounds
Deadlift – Fulton Bar, Right Arm: 160 pounds
Maxey Press: 160 pounds

Al Myers – 43 years old, 258 pounds, 120 K Class

Bent Over Row: 255 pounds
Turkish Get-Up: 53 pounds
Deadlift – Fulton Bar, Right Arm: 165 pounds
Deadlift – Fulton Bar, Left Arm: 165 pounds
Maxey Press: 190 pounds

Dave Glasgow – 57 years old, 250 pounds, 115 K Class

Bent Over Row: 225 pounds
Press – Dumbbell, Left Arm: 75 pounds
Rectangular Fix – Fulton Bar: 80 pounds
Turkish Get-Up: 53 pounds

Mike Murdock – 70 years old, 232 pounds, 110 K Class

Bent Over Row: 205 pounds
Push Press – From Rack: 130 pounds
Deadlift – Ciavattone Grip: 275 pounds
Press – Dumbbell, Right Arm: 55 pounds
Press – Dumbbell, Left Arm: 55 pounds

For a complete listing of records from the Ledaig Record Day – Ledaig Record Day 2010

Missouri Celt – Thom Van Vleck

by Dave Glasgow

Thom Van Vleck shortly after his childhood accident.

It was hard for me to imagine, when I first met him, the behemoth of a man standing in front of me, was once a skinny, frightened, wheel chair bound youth of 11. However, there he stood!! His story, although far from being finished, is an inspiration to us all and hopefully, a model for the youth of today.

Thom van Vleck started in the iron game, literally, by accident. A speeding car traveling in excess of 70 mph struck the bike riding youth; throwing him at least 150 feet, leaving him with multiple fractures, internal bleeding, head trauma and a prayer away from dying. The hospital he was transported to was certain there was nothing they could do for him. Fortunately, Thom’s mother “wanted a second opinion.” The second hospital was able to stabilize him and, eventually, turn him around. (Ironically, that hospital, the A.T. Still School of Medicine, in Kirksville, Mo., is the where Thom plies his trade as a clinical psychologist for the students that attend the school.)

Although he was alive, the outlook was bleak. There was talk of brain injury, impairment with ambulation…..the list went on. Little did those who prognosticated doom and gloom know that inside that broken and battered little body was the heart of a fighter. After nearly 4 months in traction and a year in a wheelchair, he was able to walk, with help. This was only the beginning.

Thom Van Vleck (left) and Dave Glasgow (right) at the 2003 Galloway Highland Games in Kirksville, Missouri, which was promoted by Thom.

Luckily for Thom, he had a tremendous support system. A mother, who worked tirelessly; a grandfather, with an undying love and faith; two uncles, that were known for their strength and perseverance and the “big man” above. It would be the two uncles, Wayne and Phil Jackson, who introduced Thom to the wonderful world of weight training. They shared their love and passion for the iron and Thom was quick to grasp the idea that the weights could make him whole again.

Fast forward a few years, the trim, athletic boy became a man, courtesy of the United States Marine Corps. College and graduate school followed and he became the first in his family to gain an advanced degree. But, always, there were the weights. Everything from Olympic lifting, power lifting, to what he called his granddads “fruitcake” workouts, if there were weights involved, he was there. And, as before, his uncles were there to encourage, instruct and badger him to larger totals and loftier goals; be that in the iron game or life.

For those of us who know Thom, we know a man who is honest, trustworthy and, to use an overused phrase, genuine. What you see is what you get. No pretense. No agendas. He is thankful for his loving (dare I say, longsuffering!) wife and family. He is a student of the iron game and is constantly rubbing elbows with the elite of the weights and interesting folks that make up that vast world both past and present. His stories are interesting and engaging; his recollections spot on.

Thom has been active in just about every level of strength and weight training/lifting you can imagine. He has also transformed himself into a force to be dealt with on the Highland Games circuit. He has, also, organized outstanding competitions so that others could enjoy his passion with him.

It was at the McPherson highland games of ‘99 that I first saw Thom. I did not meet him as he was in the “youngster class” of A’s. It was not until the next ‘season’ that Thom and I were ‘introduced’! What an introduction!!

We were at Steve Scott’s north Kansas City recreation park doing one of the many games that Steve put on at that facility. Thom was judging the ‘geezer’ class of which I was a proud member. Although Steve had hammer cages, an errant #22 hammer of mine broke through the fencing and clocked Thom on the ankle. It went so far as to ‘tattoo’ his sock pattern into his ankle. It was not broken but, he was done for the day. I can safely say we have been friends since that day.

Thom is a rather complex guy. He ran, unsuccessfully, for state representative. He is an elder in his church. His work involves counseling students at the medical college in Kirksville. He is the former world record holder (age group) in the weight over the bar. And, as stated prior, he organizes strength contests and highland games throughout the year.

But, of all these things, he is proudest of the strength evangelism shows he puts on with the brothers Kerby and John O’Brian, all of Kirksville. Together, they have spread the gospel behind bone cracking demonstrations of skill and strength that never fail to make spectators ohh and ahh. Following one of Thom’s ‘mini’ shows at the McPherson Scottish Festival, a good friend of mine, who has traveled the world, looked at me, ‘pop-eyed’, and stated, “I have never seen anything like that before in my life!!” I might add, he is very hard to impress!!

Thom Van Vleck set many USAWA records at the JWC Record Day, which he promoted last year at the JWC Training Hall on November 21st , 2009

Over the years, we have exchanged countless emails/phone calls and dined with each other every chance we got. It never ceases to amaze me his knowledge of people and events in the strength world. In these conversations there are three subjects that are ALWAYS mentioned. The weight game, his family and his faith! Not necessarily in that order.

Thom has no greater joy than that of his family. His wife, Kelly, supports his efforts and willing helps out at his competitions. She is a very special, understanding individual. He is thankful for her and has told me on more that one occasion how lucky he is to have someone such as her to allow him to pursue his interests. Rounding out this team is a daughter and two sons of whom he, rightfully, boasts on at any opportunity. And, from what I understand, the apples are not falling far from the giant tree!! The legacy of the Jackson/Van Vleck name will continue. I have NO doubt!

Oh, and one last thing. Thom is an author. He has written many, many articles for MILO. His forte is writing about the “old school” guys; John Ware, Al Feuerbach, Al Oerter,… the list goes on. He has the ability to bring these icons of throwing and strength down to a ‘human’ level and make them more like ‘everyday guys’ to us common folk.

He also writes, quite extensively, about the history of his family in the weight world and the proud tradition that has been passed down since 1928. These stories are a wonderful testament to a family legacy that continues today and, from all outward appearances, there is no indication that it will end anytime soon.

So, if you are ever in northern Missouri, have some time, you may want to make the trek to that big, two story house on the hill near Greentop. You may not know him at all, but that doesn’t matter. Just knock on the door, introduce yourself and you will leave with a new friend and a whole list of stories from the man with a truck load of them. Thom van Vleck, the multi-dimensional weight guy!

Ledaig Record Breakers Day

MEET ANNOUNCEMENT

by Dave Glasgow

FIRST ANNUAL

USAWA

LEDAIG HEAVY ATHLETICS TRAINING FACILITY

RECORD BREAKERS DAY

18 JULY-2010

10:00 A.M.

RAINBOW BEND, KS.

USAWA RULES/WEIGHT CLASSES/AGE GROUPS ECT.

USAWA MEMBERSHIP REQUIRED

THIS WILL BE AN OUTSIDE EVENT. PLAN ACCORDINGLY.

PLEASE EMAIL ME FOR DIRECTIONS TO FACILITY.

dglasgow@cox.net

THIS EVENT IS IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE

FIRST ANNUAL

LEDAIG HEAVY ATHLETICS

HIGHLAND GAMES

17 JULY-2010

AGAIN, EMAIL ME IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO COMPETE ON THE 17TH OF JULY.

Ledaig Heavy Athletics

by Dave Glasgow

Dave Glasgow and Larry Traub represented their new USAWA Club, the Ledaig Heavy Athletics, at the Grip Challenge last weekend.

Al wanted me to write a history of my club. I told him that the history of my club would be more like a readers digest version as I have just put the ‘club’ aspect of it together. I will try not to bore you all too much.

I started on the iron hi-way when I was in high school. While in college, I really got interested in weight training with my buddy and roommate, Larry Traub. We both got married and moved on, but both continued with the weights.

In 1976, I bought a set of York Olympic weights. (as a side note, this was the largest purchase my wife and i had made up until that time) Now friends, how many wives would have sit still for that kind of deal?? What a girl I have. She has always been supportive of my lifting and throwing endeavors. (thanks, Gunner!!) I set up shop in my great uncles basement and that was the start of the “club”. I have had NUMEROUS training partners over the years, none that stuck to it very long. The location for the weights have moved SEVERAL times and now resides at our farm, which, following a trip to Scotland, I named LEDAIG, which is Scottish Gaelic for “safe haven/harbor”. At the urging of my great friend and confidant, Thom Van Vleck, I just recently named my training facility the LEDAIG HEAVY ATHLETICS. The ‘heavy athletics’ being due to the fact that I am HEAVILY involved in the highland games. (I lift to throw, not lift to lift.)

However, the one constant over these past 35 years has been the relationship with my ‘bestest friend’, Larry Traub. We would see each other about once a year and do our ‘obligatory’ yearly workout together. But, from the outset, it was clear that he was a much more accomplished lifter than I. Regardless, any time we got together, the majority of the conversation was about lifting. So, when I told him about the USAWA, he was immediately interested!

So, there it is!! We are a two man club! We live eleven hours away from each other, but because of the “brotherhood of the iron”, and the wonders of modern communication, we will compete together as we did as college kids decades before.

SLAINTE!!

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