Category Archives: 2012 Meet Results

Middle Atlantic Postal

by Al Myers

The 2012 Middle Atlantic Postal Meet appeared to be a HUGE SUCCESS for the “second installment” of the USAWA quarterly postal series.  The meet had three women lifters and 13 men lifters entered.  All three women lifters were junior lifters, with my daughter Molly pulling out the victory over Brianna and Gabby, two girls from fine “lifting stock” I would have to say.  Congrats to all these young gals for their performances – and I hope to see more of it in the future.

The men’s division was “hotly contested”.  I officiated Chad Ullom with his lifts, and when he finished the postal meet I thought for sure that his efforts wouldn’t be topped.  But then again – I didn’t take into account the BIG YOUNG  BULL Bryan Benzel from the Jobe’s Steel Jungle.  Bryan edged Chad out by only 5 adjusted points!!

MEET RESULTS

Middle Atlantic Open Postal Meet
June 1-30, 2012

Meet Director:  John Wilmot

Lifts:  Clean and Push Press – 2 Dumbbells, Snatch – From Hang, Curl – 2 Dumbbells, Cheat

Lifters using 3 Certified Officals (or 2 that BOTH passed the lift):

Brianna Ullom – Officials Al Myers, Chad Ullom
Molly Myers – Officials Al Myers, Chad Ullom
Troy Goetsch – Officials Jesse Jobe, Bryan Benzel, Dan Bunch
Tim Songster Jr. – Officials Jesse Jobe, Bryan Benzel
Bryan Benzel – Officials Dan Bunch, Jesse Jobe
Scott Tully – Officials Darren Barnhart, Mark Mitchell, Al Myers
Darren Barnhart – Officials Scott Tully, Mark Mitchell, Al Myers

Lifters using only one Certified Official:

Gabby Jobe – Official Jesse Jobe
Denny Habecker – Official Judy Habecker
Jesse Jobe – Official Dan Bunch
Chad Ullom – Official Al Myers
Dan Bunch – Official Bryan Benzel

Lifters using a judge that is NOT a certified official:

Les Cramer – Judge Monica Cook
Samuel Rogers – Judge Orie Barnett
Orie Barnett – Judge Sam Rogers
John Wilmot – Judge Kay Wilmot

WOMENS DIVISION

LIFTER AGE BWT DB PP SNATCH DB CURL TOT PTS
Molly Myers 13 163 60 75 90 225 283.6
Brianna Ullom 14 136 50 45 70 165 225.5
Gabby Jobe 9 96 40 22 40 102 205.2

 

MENS DIVISION

LIFTER AGE BWT DB PP SNATCH DB CURL TOT PTS
Bryan Benzel 25 290 234 205 214 653 481.5
Chad Ullom 40 253 210 198 190 598 476.3
Les Cramer 70 182 120 132 130 382 470.9
Troy Goetsch 25 192 174 150 154 478 437.1
Orie Barnett 51 231 170 132 160 462 427.6
Jesse Jobe 35 234 164 155 164 483 396.4
Tim Songster 45 216 160 135 140 435 394.5
Denny Habecker 69 191 110 99 120 329 392.2
Samuel Rogers 49 205 150 110 140 400 387.8
Dan Bunch 47 328 174 145 174 493 378.5
Scott Tully 36 346 200 154 170 524 372.5
Darren Barnhart 44 313 170 154 170 494 368.7
John Wilmot 65 221 100 100 100 300 319.7

 NOTES:  BWT is bodyweight in pounds.  All lifts recorded in pounds.  TOT is total pounds lifted.  PTS is adjusted points, corrected for age and bodyweight.

Ledaig Record Breakers

BY DAVE GLASGOW 

THE AIR-CONDITIONING UNIT IN THE SPANKING NEW LEDAIG WEIGHT ROOM WAS WORKING HARD IN A FUTILE ATTEMPT TO COOL  THE 7 LIFTERS WHO WERE PRESENT TO BREAK RECORDS AND SHARE IN THE camaraderie OF THE IRON.  AGAIN, THIS YEAR, HEAT AND HUMIDITY WERE STIFLING BUT, UNDETERED, RECORDS FELL AND THE  NEW BORN WEIGHT ROOM HAD IT’S BAPTISM.

CHAD ULLOM CONTINUES TO AMAZE ME.  HAVING SPENT THE WHOLE DAY PRIOR IN 100 DEGREE TEMPS, NOT TO MENTION TRYING TO GIVE MOUTH TO MOUTH RESUSITATION TO A SCOTCH BOTTLE THAT EVENING PRIOR, HE CAME TO LIFT SOME SERIOUS NUMBERS.  510# ON A NO THUMBS DL WOULD MAKE A LOAD FOR MOST FOLKS IN THE NORMAL GRIP!!  CHAD PULLED IT WITH NO PROBLEM.  ANOTHER OUTSTANDING LIFT WAS THE 95# FULL GARDENER.  THIS LIFT TAKES SO MANY ATTRIBUTES THAT, IN MY OPINION, IT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED THE BEST GAUGE OF STRENGTH, ENDURANCE AND ATHLETIC ABILITY THERE IS.

HAVING DRIVEN ALMOST THREE HOURS THAT MORNING TO GET THERE, BEN EDWARDS SHOWED HIS MASTERY OF THE GRIP LIFTS.  TAKING 312# IN THE DEADLIFT, FULTON BAR, CIAVATTONE GRIP, HE FAIRLY RIPPED IT FROM THE FLOOR AND COULD HAVE DONE MUCH MORE.  HIS V-BAR LIFTS HAVE TO BE SEEN TO BE BELIEVED.

MIKE MURDOCK, ANOTHER SURVIVOR FROM THE PRIOR DAYS ACTIVITIES, WAS PRESENT AND READY TO GO.  PRESSING 117# ON THE MAXEY PRESS GAVE HIM ALL THE CREDIBILITY HE NEEDED.  HAVING BEEN INFORMED THAT THE BAR WAS, INDEED, 117#, INSTEAD OF 105#, HE BROKE OUT INTO A BIG SMILE.  HOWEVER, AS IS HIS STYLE, HE MADE NO BIG SHOW OF IT.  MIKE IS A TRUE, HUMBLE SPORTSMAN…….AND A VERY STRICT JUDGE!!

LOOKING FOR ENOUGH RECORDS TO BREAK THAT COVETED CENTURY MARK, DEAN ROSS WAS NOT AWARE, UNTIL AFTER WE HAD FINISHED, THAT HE HAD ALREADY SURPASSED THAT NUMBER.  WITH THE VERY RECENT CHANGES IN THE CRITERIA OF ELEGIBILITY FOR A RECORD TO ‘COUNT’, DEAN WAS ALREADY THERE!  REGARDLESS, DEAN CAME LOADED FOR BEAR AND PUT UP THIRTEEN NEW RECORDS!!

THE NEWEST MEMBER OF THE LEDAIG TEAM AND THE USAWA, IS MY UNCLE KENNY ‘UNC’ GLASGOW.  HE CAME TO ME ABOUT 4 MONTHS AGO INQUIRING IF HE COULD JOIN ME IN MY LIFTING!!  HE HAS NOT MISSED A WORKOUT SINCE AND HAS PROVED TO BE A GREAT TRAINING PARTNER.  SEVENTY FIVE YEARS OF AGE IS NOT A ‘NORMAL ‘ AGE TO START A LIFTING CAREER, BUT, HERE HE IS.  WE HAVE TRAINED SEVERAL LIFTS IN ANTICIPATION OF THIS WEEKEND AND HE HIT EVERY ONE OF THE GOALS WE SET!!!  OF PARTICULAR INTEREST WAS HIS DEADLIFT, ONE HAND, LEFT.  MY RECORD LIST POSTED ONE NUMBER AND, COME TO FIND OUT, THE RECORD WAS 10# MORE THAN WE THOUGHT.  A SHORT CONVERSATION FOLLOWED, ENDING WITH HIM SAYING, “LET’S GO GET IT!”  SO, HE DID!!!  WITH EASE!!  THEN TURNED AROUND TO PULL 10 MORE POUNDS THAN THE POSTED RECORD!!!  GREAT EFFORT, UNC!!!

HAVING GONE FULL THROTTLE FOR MORE THAN A WEEK BUILDING THE WEIGHT ROOM, PREPARATIONS FOR THE GAMES AND THEN ALL THE GENERAL ‘RUNNING AROUND’ ASSOCIATED IN MANAGING THINGS, I WAS NOT ANXIOUS TO DO ANY LIFTING.  MY BUTT WAS DRAGGING AS AN OLD, TIRED COON DOG WHO HAD BEEN RUN ALL NIGHT.  HOWEVER, WHEN THE INCH BAR WAS PULLED OUT, I KNEW I HAD TO DO A COUPLE RECORDS JUST SO I COULD SAY I DID IT IN RECOGNITION OF THE VIRGIN FACILITY.

FINALLY,  WHILE LARRY ‘FLOYD’ TRAUB DID NOT LIFT, I NEED TO MENTION THAT IT WAS DUE TO HIS HARD WORK, DEDICATION AND FRIENDSHIP THAT WE HAD A FACILITY AT ALL.  IT IS NOT MANY FOLKS WHO WOULD WORK IN 100 DEGREE TEMPERATURES, 14 TO 16 HOUR DAYS, FOR A WEEK TO HELP OUT A FRIEND. AS HE HAD TO LEAVE THE DAY OF THE RECORD BREAKERS, HE WAS MAKING A ‘TO DO LIST’ FOR ME TO FINISH THE PROJECT.  I AM TRULY BLESSED AND HUMBLED THAT HE WOULD DO THIS FOR ME.  WORDS CAN NOT  CONVEY MY APPRECIATION.  TO QUOTE FORREST GUMP, “EVEN I KNOW THAT FRIENDSHIP LIKE THAT DOES’NT COME AROUND EVERY DAY.”  ENOUGH SAID……

WE HOPE TO HAVE MORE TURN OUT NEXT YEAR.  ALL ARE WELCOME!

MEET RESULTS

Ledaig Record Breakers
Rainbow Bend, Kansas
July 15th, 2012

Meet Director:  Dave Glasgow

Officials:  Dave Glasgow,  Chad Ullom, Mike Murdock

Lifts:

Chad Ullom – 40 years, 253# BWT

Curl – Reverse Grip: 115#
Deadlift – No Thumbs: 510#
Gardner – Full: 95#
Deadlift – Inch Dumbbell, Right: 129#
Deadlift – Inch Dumbbell, Left: 129#
Clean and Jerk – Behind Neck: 225#

Ben Edwards – 37 years, 205# BWT

Deadlift – No Thumb, Right: 220#
Deadlift – No Thumb, Left: 220#
Vertical Bar Deadlift – 1 Bar, 2″, Right: 254#
Vertical Bar Deadlift – 1 Bar, 2″, Left: 242#
Deadlift – Fulton Bar, Ciavattone Grip: 312#

Dean Ross – 69 years, 272# BWT

Rectangular Fix: 65#
Curl – Reverse Grip: 75#
Deadlift – Ciavattone Grip, Right Arm: 175#
Deadlift – Ciavattone Grip, Left Arm: 165#
Deadlift – No Thumbs: 315#
Squat – 12″ Base: 145#
Squat – Front: 145#
Bench Press – Hands Together: 145#
Maxey Press: 112#
Deadlift – Dumbbell, right: 127#
Deadlift – Dumbbell, left: 127#
Deadlift – Inch Dumbbell, left: 59#
Deadlift – Inch Dumbbell, right: 59#

Dave Glasgow – 59 years, 249# BWT

Deadlift – Inch Dumbbell, Right: 129#
Deadlift – Inch Dumbbell, Left: 109#

Mike Murdock – 72 years, 224# BWT

Curl – Reverse Grip: 75#
Deadlift – Trap Bar: 270#
Squat – Front: 170#
Maxey Press: 117#
Deadlift – Fingers, Index: 95#

Ken Glasgow – 75 years, 219# BWT

Deadlift – One Arm, Right: 175#
Deadlift – Trap Bar: 280#
Squat – 12″ Base: 145#
Bench Press – Feet in Air: 105#

National Championships

by Al Myers

Group picture of the 2012 USAWA National Championships (picture courtesy of John Broz).

MEET REPORT

THE 25th USAWA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

So much happened over this past weekend in Las Vegas at the “25th Anniversary” of the USAWA National Championships that I don’t know where to begin!  I had been looking forward to this for a long time – and it’s hard to believe that it already over!   The first thing I want to do is thank the people who had a “big hand” in making this year’s National Championship a HUGE SUCCESS!  First – a BIG, BIG THANKS to John Broz of Average Broz’s Gym who hosted the meet venue.  John has an unbelievable facility in Las Vegas – complete with top notch equipment.  John was very supportive of us (the USAWA) and went out of his way to make sure that everything was in order for the meet to run successfully.  I HIGHLY recommend if anyone is ever in Vegas and needs a place to train – look up Broz’s Gym.  Without John’s support in this venture  this meet would not have been possible.  Next I want to thank two of my outstanding training partners for showing up to help – Scott Tully and Darren Barnhart.  These two made the trip to Vegas just to help – and help they did – judging, loading, and helping facilitate the meet.  Scott and Darren are the ones responsible for the meet getting over in a RECORD FOUR HOURS. Up next is the Habeckers.  Denny and Judy are “the backbone” of our organization and are always doing work behind the scenes to insure competitions run smoothly.  They hauled all the awards and tshirts to the meet, as well as Denny helping officiate and Judy doing all the scorekeeping and announcing. Finally, I want to thank Chad Ullom for organizing “all the other stuff”.  Chad took care of all the details of organizing the evening fun, organizing the National Meeting,  as well as providing transportation to and from the meet.

I will keep this meet report to the meet itself. There were several other significant things that occurred – but I will save those for another days story.  A total of 13 lifters made this celebration – 12 men and 1 woman.  Susan Sees won the overall best womans lifter and I won the overall best mens lifter. Susan was “runner up” at last years Nationals, but this year she took the title! Congrats Susan!  It was a close battle between Larry Traub and myself for the mens overall, which went down to the last event.  Larry is one strong lifter, and at age 58, lifts like someone in their 20’s!  Chad Ullom came in a solid third, and only had one missed attempt all day. Fourth place went to the Ledaig AC leader – Dave Glasgow.  Denny Habecker came in fifth, barely ahead of Tim Piper.  It was  really tight to decide 7th from 8th place (only 5 adjusted points, the closest finish of the day), but Dean Ross came out in front of LaVerne Myers. The age group these two were in was  “the hottest” contested age group of the day for best lifter awards. Denny had a “tough fight” to beat out Dean, LaVerne and Bob.  Ninth place went to Bob Geib, with the “top ten” being rounded out by Dennis Mitchell.  However, the two lifters who placed 11th and 12th were the two who “took the show” in my book.  Dale Friesz and Art Montini are two tough ole’ ironheads who REFUSE to give up.  Dale has been facing some difficult physical issues lately and STILL showed up at Nationals and competed, and gave a gallant effort that most lifters in his situation would be mentally unable to do. Art at 84 years of age is living proof that you are NEVER too old to lift and compete in a big competition. Art had some issues with dehydration with the hot dry heat of Las Vegas (why would someone in their 80’s try to cut water weight before weighins??), but made a strong recovery to finish the meet.   Both of these guys are my heros – and give me inspiration to “keep after it” and not give up despite what I may be faced with, because it is NOTHING compared to what they deal with!

I really feel this Nationals will be one that will go down “in history” as one of the best USAWA National Championships of ALL TIME.  We will be talking about the events that unfolded this weekend for many years to come.  I really feel sorry for those that didn’t make it to this one – because I will say this – YOU missed out on a GOOD TIME!  And Happy 25th Anniversary to the USAWA!!!!!

MEET RESULTS

2012 USAWA National Championships
Average Broz’s Gym
Las Vegas, Nevada
June 30th, 2012

Meet Director: Al Myers & the USAWA Executive Board

Scorekeeper: Judy Habecker

Announcer: Judy Habecker

Meet Venue: John Broz and Broz’s Gym

Officials (3 official system used):  Scott Tully, Darren Barnhart, Al Myers, Chad Ullom, Denny Habecker, Art Montini, Dennis Mitchell

Loaders: Scott Tully, Darren Barnhart, and lifters

Lifts: Clean and Jerk – One Arm, Curl – Reverse Grip, Pullover and Press, Hack Lift – One Arm, Jefferson Lift

WOMENS DIVISION

 Lifter  Age  BWT  C&J  Curl  P&P Hack   Jeff  TOT  PTS
Susan Sees  49  211  22.5R  40  40  45R  80  227.5  216.97

EXTRA LIFTS FOR RECORD

Susan Sees: Clean and Jerk – One Arm 15L
Susan Sees: Curl – Reverse Grip 42.5
Susan Sees: Hack – One Arm 47.5R

MENS DIVISION

Lifter Age BWT C&J Curl P&P Hack Jeff TOT PTS
Al Myers      45 240 65R 95 145 150R 250 705 605.39
Larry Traub 58 201 40R 75 105 102.5R 240 562.5 596.35
Chad Ullom 40 251 65R 95 140 145R 250 695 555.80
Dave Glasgow 58 246 50L 82.5 105 100L 182.5 520 495.04
Denny Habecker 69 194 35R 57.5 90 82.5R 132.5 397.5 469.78
Tim Piper      42 191 52.5R 60 102.5 100R 160 475 448.59
Dean Ross 69 265 30R 60 70 60R 155 375 375.57
LaVerne Myers 68 247 25L 65 65 85L 120 360 370.68
Bob Geib 69 270 30R 50 45 60R 135 320 317.66
Dennis Mitchell 80 152 12.5R 25 30 50R 90 207.5 308.96
Dale Friesz 71 160 7.5R 22.5 40 35R 67.5 172.5 232.62
Art Montini 84 173 0 0 0 0 60 60 84.59

EXTRA LIFTS FOR RECORDS

Dale Friesz: Deadlift – Little Fingers 35
Dale Friesz: Deadlift – Index Fingers 45
Dennis Mitchell: Clean and Jerk – One Arm 12.5L
Dennis Mitchell: Pullover and Press 35
Dennis Mitchell: Hack Lift – One Arm 50L
Bob Geib: Hack Lift – One Arm 67.5R
Dean Ross: Hack Lift – One Arm 65R

NOTES:  BWT is bodyweight in pounds.  All lifts recorded in kilograms. R & L designate right and left arms. TOT is total kilograms lifted. PTS is adjusted points for bodyweight and age.

BEST LIFTERS

Womens Overall:  Susan Sees
Mens Overall:  Al Myers
Womens Master Overall:  Susan Sees
Mens Master Overall:  Al Myers
Mens Master 40-44 Age Group: Chad Ullom
Mens Master 45-49 Age Group: Al Myers
Mens Master 55-59 Age Group: Larry Traub
Mens Master 65-69 Age Group: Denny Habecker
Mens Master 70-74 Age Group: Dale Friesz
Mens Master 80-84 Age Group: Dennis Mitchell
Team Champion: Dino Gym (Al Myers, Chad Ullom, LaVerne Myers, Dean Ross)

Jobe’s Steel Jungle RD

by Jesse Jobe

Troy Goetsch and Bryan Benzel set the top ALL TIME USAWA record in the Team Deadlift at the Jobe's Steel Jungle Record Day with a lift of 1097 pounds.

Last  Sunday, The Jobe’s Steel Jungle held a record breaking records day.  We had 13 lifters from age 7 to 45 and a total of 188 records were set or broken. To say I was impressed by the lifting that was done this day is a massive understatement. I was very proud of everyone that lifted, but the biggest highlight for me was getting my wife Alison Jobe to compete and she did outstanding. I was also fortunate enough to have my daughter Gabby Jobe lifting and she also did amazing.  I will try to give every great performance its own little paragraph but it might have to be saved for another write up.

First, I want to thank everyone who was able to compete and those who came to watch and cheer us on.  Also I have to give a big thanks to Darren Barnhart and Scott Tully.   They came up to compete, helped me judge some lifts, and give me clarification on a few things I wasn’t 100% sure about. We had a couple newbies lifting but they didn’t disappoint by putting up some big lifts. I had told the guys a couple weeks before that I wanted to make this a special meet and that I wanted to see some lifts that would be remembered.  None of them disappointed me.

I think the biggest news of the meet was some lifts that were set as the all-time highest lifts.  Bryan Benzel stole the show setting four individual all-time lifts and two team lifts with Troy Goetsch. Troy Goetsch set a huge 2” Vbar lift and then two team lifts with Bryan Benzel. Troy’s Grip strength is simply amazing as he doesn’t have huge hands, just a very strong grip. Tim Songster set an all time lift in the Piper Squat, I think eventually he can push this up to 300lbs. Darren Barnhart and Scott Tully actually had the Fulton bar Ciavattone grip team record for about 5 minutes with 650lbs, until Bryan and Troy took it back with 670lbs. I have no doubts that either one of these teams will eventually get 700lbs. My wife set some all time lifts in the 2” Vbar, 1” Vbar, and some finger lifts.

I set the most records of the day with 40. I had a decent game plan and feel I executed it pretty well. I think on some lifts I left a little in the tank, but overall I was happy with the way a lot of them turned out. I have a goal of eventually having 100 records. I am still learning a lot of these lifts and once I figure out some of them, I hope to put up some all time records in some.

Gabby Jobe, at 9 years old, set a number of USAWA records including this 54# 1 inch 1 bar VB deadlift.

My daughter and wife both had tremendous days. My wife, Alison, is a very competitive person in anything she does.  But it took a lot of convincing to get her to do this. She only started lifting last year and has started to make tremendous gains. She has a naturally strong grip and I know that eventually she is going to set some very high marks in the grip events. Gabby has really started to be as serious as a nine year old can be about her training.   I cannot say enough how proud I am of how she did this day.

I was quite pleased with how the day came out. My biggest goal for running this meet was to be able to have people get together and have a good time.  My family was able to come and see my daughter lift and also see my wife compete for the first time.  I look forward to my next USAWA event that I hold.  Competing and hosting USAWA has become one of the most fun and entertaining things I have done in my lifting career. Again, I want to thank everyone for their help.  And a huge thank you to my wife, she cooked the lunch, judged, lifted, and was a great host.

Meet Results

Jobe’s Steel Jungle Record Day
Jobe’s Steel Jungle, Council Bluffs, Iowa
May 20th, 2012

Meet Director:  Jesse Jobe

Officials:  Jesse Jobe, Alison Jobe, Bryan Benzel, Scott Tully, Darren Barnhart

Tim Songster Jr. 7 years old, 66# BWT

Deadlift – 12″ Base:  75#
Deadlift – Heels Together:  67#

Scott Tully 36 years old, 359# BWT

Curl – 2 Dumbbells, Cheat: 200#

Darren Barnhart 44 years old, 296# BWT

Bench Press – Hands Together: 315#
Vertical Bar Deadlift – 1 Bar, 2″, Left Hand: 145#
Vertical Bar Deadlift – 1 Bar, 2″, Right Hand: 145#
Deadlift – No Thumbs: 365#

Josh Haggin 38 years old, 198# BWT

Bent Press – Dumbbell, Right Hand: 60#
Deadlift – Dumbbell, Left Arm: 230#
Deadlift – 2 Bars:  430#

Bryan Benzel 25 years old, 288# BWT

James Lift: 202#
Clean and Seated Press: 247#
Clean and Press – On Knees:  227#
Vertical Bar Deadlift – 1 Bar, 1″, Left Hand: 215#
Deadlift – No Thumbs: 602#
Clean and Press – Middle Fingers:  87#
Deadlift – One Leg, Right:  205#
Deadlift – One Leg, Left:  205#
Deadlift – Ciavattone Grip, Left Arm:  235#

Mac Capello 34 years old, 242# BWT

Reflex Clean and Jerk: 255#
Snatch – Fulton Bar:  170#
Curl – Reverse Grip:  195#
Deadlift – Ciavattone Grip, Mid/Ring Fingers:  230#
Pinch Grip: 170#
Curl – 2 Dumbbells, Cheat:  160#
Jerk – From Rack, Behind Neck:  275#
Continental to Chest – Fulton Bar:  305#
Deadlift – No Thumbs:  367#
Pull Up:  45#

Gabby Jobe FEMALE,  9 years old, 91# BWT

Squat – 12” Base:  80#
Squat – Front:  72#
James Lift:  15#
Arthur Lift:  15#
Deadlift – 2 Dumbbells:  60#
Deadlift – Dumbbell, Left Arm:  50#
Deadlift – Dumbbell, Right Arm:  50#
Deadlift – Ciavattone Grip:  75#
Deadlift – Heels Together:  115#
Curl – Strict:  20#
Bent Over Row:  45#
Curl – Reverse Grip:  35#
Vertical Bar Deadlift – 1 Bar, 2″, Left Hand:  37#
Vertical Bar Deadlift – 1 Bar, 2″, Right Hand:  37#
Vertical Bar Deadlift – 1 Bar, 1″, Left Hand:  54#
Vertical Bar Deadlift – 1 Bar, 1″, Right Hand:  54#

Zach Jelinek 23 years old, 199# BWT

Squat – Piper:  225#
Clean and Press – Reverse Grip:  135#
Deadlift – Ciavattone Grip, Mid/Ring Fingers:  230#
Deadlift – Dumbbell, Left Arm:  230#
Deadlift – Dumbbell, Right Arm:  230#
Curl – Reverse Grip:  175#
Deadlift – 2 Bars:  450#
Deadlift – No Thumbs:  367#
Curl – 2 Dumbbells, Cheat:  160#
Clean and Press – Alternate Grip:  135#
Finger Lift – Little, Left Hand:  54#
Finger Lift – Little, Right Hand:  54#
Finger Lift – Index, Left Hand:  96.5#
Finger Lift – Index, Right Hand:  91.5#
Finger Lift – Ring, Left Hand:  84#
Finger Lift – Middle, Left Hand:  105.5#
Finger Lift – Middle, Right Hand:  91.5#

Alison Jobe  – FEMALE, 36 years old, 231#BWT

Finger Lift – Little, Left Hand:  54#
Finger Lift – Little, Right Hand:  54#
Finger Lift – Index, Left Hand:  79#
Finger Lift – Index, Right Hand:  79#
Finger Lift – Ring, Left Hand:  64#
Finger Lift – Ring, Right Hand:  64#
Finger Lift – Middle, Left Hand:  79#
Finger Lift – Middle, Right Hand:  115#
Finger Lift – Thumb, Left Hand:  29#
Finger Lift – Thumb, Right Hand:  29#
Vertical Bar Deadlift – 1 Bar, 2″, Left Hand:  110#
Vertical Bar Deadlift – 1 Bar, 2″, Right Hand:  135#
Vertical Bar Deadlift – 1 Bar, 1″, Left Hand:  129#
Vertical Bar Deadlift – 1 Bar, 1″, Right Hand:  129#
Deadlift – Fingers, Index:  115#
Deadlift – Fingers, Middle:  115#
Deadlift – Fingers, Ring:  115#
Deadlift – Fulton Bar, Ciavattone Grip:  165#
Deadlift – Reeves:  135#
Curl – Strict:  55#
Bench Press – Alternate Grip:  85#
Bench Press – Reverse Grip:  85#

Troy Goetsch 25 years old, 193# BWT

Bench Press – Left Arm:  70#
Bench Press – Right Arm:  115#
Clean and Jerk – Dumbbell, Left Arm:  70#
Clean and Jerk – Dumbbell, Right Arm:  90#
Clean and Press – Fulton Bar:  180#
Pinch Grip:  170#
Pinch Grip – Left Hand:  75#
Deadlift – Fulton Bar, Ciavattone Grip:  310#
Snatch – Fulton Bar:  145#
Vertical Bar Deadlift – 1 Bar, 2″, Left Hand:  235#
Vertical Bar Deadlift – 1 Bar, 2″, Right Hand:  255#
Vertical Bar Deadlift – 1 Bar, 1″, Left Hand:  180#
Vertical Bar Deadlift – 1 Bar, 1″, Right Hand:  180#
Clean and Press – 2 Dumbbells:  140#
Deadlift – Ciavattone Grip, Left Arm:  170#
Deadlift – Ciavattone Grip, Right Arm:  205# 
Deadlift – Ciavattone Grip, Heels Together:  360#
Clean and Press – Reverse Grip:  135#
Clean and Press – Alternate Grip:  135#

Corey Kenkel 29 years old, 186# BWT

Press – Dumbbell, Left Arm:  70#
Snatch – Dumbbell, Left Arm:  70#
Curl – 2 Dumbbells, Cheat:  100#
Apollons Lift:  190#
Clean and Jerk – Fulton Bar:  190#
Reflex Clean and Push Press:  140#
Reflex Clean and Jerk: 140#
Pinch Grip: 110#
Deadlift – Fulton Bar:  360#
Clean and Press – Alternate Grip:  135#
Deadlift – Fulton Bar, Ciavattone Grip:  285#
Vertical Bar Deadlift – 1 Bar, 2″, Left Hand:  112.5#
Vertical Bar Deadlift – 1 Bar, 2″, Right Hand:  135#
Snatch – On Knees:  67#
James Lift:  87#
Squat – Overhead:  87#
Vertical Bar Deadlift – 1 Bar, 1″, Left Hand:  155#
Vertical Bar Deadlift – 1 Bar, 1″, Right Hand:  155#
Miller Clean and Jerk:  87#
Bench Press – Reverse Grip:  185#

Tim Songster 45 years old, 209# BWT

Squat – Piper:  245#
Bench Press – Hands Together:  195#
Clean and Press:  165#
Clean and Press – Behind Neck:  155#
Squat – Lunge:  225#
Clean and Press – Alternate Grip:  135#
Swing – Dumbbell, Left Arm:  80#
Swing – Dumbbell, Right Arm:  80#
Vertical Bar Deadlift – 1 Bar, 2″, Left Hand:  112.5#
Vertical Bar Deadlift – 1 Bar, 2″, Right Hand:  112.5#
Snatch – On Knees:  87#
Squat – Overhead:  87#
Lateral Raise – Lying:  80#
Curl – 2 Dumbbells, Cheat:  140#
Pull Up:  25#
Bench Press – Reverse Grip:  175#
Reflex Clean and Push Press:  155#
Clean and Press – 12” Base:  135#
Good Morning:  135#
Finger Lift – Little, Left Hand:  54#
Finger Lift – Little, Right Hand:  54#
Finger Lift – Thumb, Right Hand:  54#
Clean and Press – Reverse Grip:  135#
French Press:  75#
Snatch – Left Arm:  75#
Snatch – Right Arm:  75#

Jesse Jobe 35 years old, 228# BWT

Clean and Jerk – Behind Neck:  200#
Clean and Press – Middle Fingers:  90#
Clean and Jerk – Dumbbell, Left Arm:  100#
Clean and Jerk – Dumbbell, Right Arm:  100#
Pinch Grip:  170#
Clean and Press:  170#
Clean and Press – Alternate Grip:  170#
Clean and Press – Reverse Grip:  175#
Clean and Press – 12” Base:  190#
Curl – Dumbbell, Cheat, Right Arm:  100#
Curl – Dumbbell, Cheat, Left Arm:  100#
Deadlift – One Leg, Left:  185#
Snatch – On Knees:  107#
Lateral Raise – Lying:  80#
Lateral Raise – Standing:  40#
Curl – 2 Dumbbells, Cheat:  160#
Vertical Bar Deadlift – 1 Bar, 2″, Right Hand:  215#
Snatch – Dumbbell, Left Arm:  90#
Snatch – Dumbbell, Right Arm:  90#
Pull Up:  20#
Vertical Bar Deadlift – 1 Bar, 2″, Left Hand:  170#
Deadlift – No Thumbs:  505#
Reflex Clean and Push Press:  205#
Deadlift – Ciavattone Grip, Mid/Ring Fingers:  185#
Deadlift – Dumbbell, Left Arm:  282#
Deadlift – Dumbbell, Right Arm:  282#
Finger Lift – Little, Left Hand:  54#
Finger Lift – Little, Right Hand:  54#
Finger Lift – Index, Left Hand:  103#
Finger Lift – Index, Right Hand:  103#
Finger Lift – Thumb, Left Hand:  29#
Finger Lift – Thumb, Right Hand:  54#
Piper Squat: 135#
Clean and Jerk – 2 Dumbbells:  140#
Curl – Reverse Grip:  175#
Hack Lift – Fulton Bar:  310#

Bryan Benzel and Troy Goetsch

Team Deadlift – Fulton Bar, Ciavattone Grip:  670#
Team Deadlift:  1097#

Josh Haggin and Troy Goetsch

Team Deadlift:  850#

Heavy Lift Championships

by Al Myers

Group picture from the 2012 USAWA Heavy Lift Championships: (front left to right) Roger LaPointe, Al Myers, Denny Habecker, Eric Todd, Scott Schmidt (Back) Dave Polzin

This past Saturday Roger LaPointe, of Atomic Athletic, hosted the 2012 USAWA Heavy Lift Championships.  It was held in conjunction with his annual promotion, the Atomic Athletic Great Black Swamp Olde Time Strongman Picnic.  After last year’s Heavies in York, I didn’t know if that meet could be topped, but after attending Roger’s event I think it was!   The combination of the championships and the picnic were a perfect fit – it led to a festive environment along with many spectators.  Roger did an EXCELLENT JOB of bringing everything together to celebrate a day of strength. Along with the Championships, there were several strength shows by other strongmen going on.  All of this was topped off with a big meal for everyone in attendance.  I won’t say anymore about the picnic activities as I will leave that story for Roger to tell later.

Myself (left) and Roger LaPointe (right). Roger did an outstanding job of promoting the USAWA Heavy Lift Championships!

The meet itself was well attended for a Heavy Lift Championships. All together 7 lifters entered – a mixture of heavy lift veterans and a couple of new lifters to the “chain lifts”.  This meet doesn’t appeal to all lifters, and generally the Heavy Lift Champs doesn’t get more entries than this, so I was very pleased with the turnout.  It ended up “being a battle” between Eric Todd and myself for the overall champion.  It came down to the last event, the Hip Lift, to decide the day’s champion.  I was in order before ET, so I pushed myself and got a 2000# Hip Lift to put a little pressure on him.  He responded well, and put up with a personal record Hip Lift of 2075# to edge me out by only 3 adjusted points. I will have to do some research on this, but I’m guessing this is the closest finish for the overall lifter EVER in a Heavy Lift Championships.  Eric was the one who “stole the show” of the day on the whole – he started off the meet with an overall ALL TIME USAWA & WORLD RECORD in the Neck Lift with an unbelievable lift of 905 pounds!!!  His new record topped Chad Ullom’s 900 from last years Heavy Champs, which has now become the norm for being one of the best in the Neck Lift.   It was a really impressive lift, and I expect will inspire Chad to lift even more.  I fully expect one of these two lifters to be the first to break the “magic barrier” of 1000 pounds in the Neck Lift.  It will happen.  I was glad to see ET enter this big meet and win this championships. Most don’t know this, but ET has been competing in the USAWA longer than I have (by 6 months).  He has never really traveled far to meets in the USAWA as he has been focused on his pro strongman career.  He is a gifted all rounder and I kidded him he is still a youngster (at 37) in the USAWA and his best years are still ahead of him.

Dennis Mitchell giving an interview to the local TV station.

On the other end of the spectrum is Dennis Mitchell.  Dennis is now 80 years old and was the oldest lifter in this meet.  For his age, Dennis is remarkable.  Most guys his age would never take on lifts like the Heavy Lifts.  Dennis is a “master” at these lifts, and constantly surprises me with his lifting.  He told me last weekend that this month marks 69 years since he began lifting weights (that’s right, 69 years!!!!).   Also, he has competed throughout this whole time. That is one long lifting career!!!  I was glad to see Dennis get recognized by being interviewed by the local TV station.

Another lifting milestone was achieved this past weekend as well.  Our USAWA President Denny Habecker told me that Saturday marked 50 years since his first lifting competition – to the day!!!   I made sure to celebrate this occasion with Denny after the meet.  Denny multi-tasked all day as a lifter and as the head official, as well as bringing the heavy bar and accessories for the meet.  Many things happen in the USAWA only because of Denny!! He finished with a record lift in the Hip Lift at 944 pounds.

I was glad to see competing the two newcomers, wily veteran Olympic Lifter Dave Polzin, and the big talented young kid Thomas Casillas.  Both have tremendous abilities, and with a little practice on the Heavy Lifts will be very good Heavy Lifters. Dave really impressed me after the meet when he did a 198# Clean and Press at the age of 62 for an age group record!!!  Andrew Durniat made an appearance as well in one of the strongman shows.  I hadn’t seen Andrew in a year, but immediately I could tell that he has added some muscular size since then.  He did a 166# one arm snatch for a new record.  This is one of the best one arm snatches of the year in the organization.  Andrew’s strength in a lift like this shows that he is “way more” than just a grip lifter.  I’m hoping that we will continue to see Andrew compete in the USAWA, as he is a great person as well as a superb lifter.

Athletic Atomic club member Dave Polzin performed a 198# Clean and Press at the age of 62!!!!

Another all -round lifter who was in attendance but did not compete was the Cleveland lifter John Kurtz.  John trained under the legendary Howard Prechtel and obviously has a wealth of information.  I enjoyed visiting with him throughout the day and getting to know him.  His name is “littered” throughout our USAWA record list with impressive records, and it was nice to be able to “put a name with a face”.   He has had some health issues of late, but he still looked like he was in lifting shape to me!!!  I hope to see him get “back into action” in USAWA competition.  The only person I have not mentioned yet is Scott Schmidt.   I saved Scott for last because I want to make sure everyone knows how much he contributes to our organization.  Scott is part of the 5-person executive board that governs the USAWA, and is very influential “behind the scenes”.  He is always very helpful at meets, and one of the better officials in the organization.  He put up a great lift of 1005# in the Hand and Thigh as well and placing third overall in this meet.

MEET RESULTS:

Heavy Lift Championships
Bowling Green, Ohio
May 12, 2012

Meet Director:  Roger LaPointe

Lifts:  Neck Lift, Hand and Thigh Lift, Harness Lift

Officials:  Denny Habecker, Dennis Mitchell, Scott Schmidt, Eric Todd, Al Myers

Announcer: Roger LaPointe

Scorekeeper: Al Myers

Loader: Jeff Rybek

LIFTER AGE BWT NECK H&T HIP TOT PTS
Eric Todd 37 252 860 1200 2075 4135 3266.6
Al Myers 45 240 700 1100 2000 3800 3263.1
Scott Schmidt 59 249 287 1005 1400 2692 2567.8
Dave Polzin 62 215 330 750 900 1980 2090.3
Denny Habecker 69 196 0 600 900 1500 1761.4
Dennis Michell 80 154 240 400 550 1190 1756.8
Thomas Casillas 15 305 0 600 0 600 496.9

NOTES:  BWT is bodyweight in pounds.  TOT is total pounds lifted.  PTS are adjusted points for bodyweight correction and age allowance.

EXTRA LIFTS FOR RECORDS:

Eric Todd  Neck Lift:  905#
Denny Habecker Hand & Thigh Lift: 705#
Denny Habecker Hip Lift: 944#
Dennis Mitchell Hand & Thigh Lift: 450#
Dennis Mitchell  Hip Lift: 625#
Thomas Casillas Hand and Thigh: 700#
Dave Polzin Clean and Press: 198#
Andrew Durniat Snatch – Left Arm: 166#
(33 years old, 230 lbs. BWT)

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