Category Archives: USAWA Meet Results

Grip Championships

by Al Myers

2016 USAWA GRIP CHAMPIONSHIPS

Group picture from the 2016 USAWA Grip Championships.

Group picture from the 2016 USAWA Grip Championships.

If you would have asked me a week before the Grip Champs my prediction for the turnout – I’ll be honest here – I was worried that it might be the smallest attended Grip Champs yet.  But as it turns out this was one of the best Grip Champs the USAWA has seen yet!

Both the women’s and the men’s divisions were hotly contested.  Newcomer Emily Burchett won best lifter in her second meet in less than a month in the USAWA, over veteran lifter Mary McConnaughey. Mary still amazes me with her finger lifts. She pulled on a record attempt 200 pounds in the Middle Finger Deadlift. I remember in my first meet with Mary (close to 15 years ago!) she beat me in the Middle Finger Deadlift in total pounds – something that gave Ole Clark a good reason to kid me about.  But after watching that 200 pounds of hers go up I’m not sure if I could beat her now!  Third place went to Tressa Brooner who showed great effort after just recently having surgery on her wrists.

The Men’s division was full of great lifting all day long.  Last year’s overall USAWA Grip Champion LaVerne Myers had to lift exceptional to defend his title – which he did. He picked his lifts well and maximized his total.  Veteran USAWA grip master Ben Edwards took a solid second place overall. Ben showed us all he still has the strength in those middle fingers of his with an outstanding Middle Finger Deadlift of 315 pounds. Third place overall went to the father of the Ledaig HA club Dave Glasgow. Dave continued his streak of being the ONLY lifter that has competed in all of the USAWA Grip Championships. Dave was solid in all the lifts and put up the top Reeves Deadlift of the day at 290 pounds.

I was so glad to see all the young strong studs show up; Zach Lucas, Adam Kirchman, Vernon Cathey, and Alan English. These guys are all newcomers to the USAWA. They are loaded with lifting talent and each one left weight on the platform as they are just learning these lifts.  Each one of these guys had great attitudes and I could tell really enjoyed themselves throughout the day. Give these young bucks a little more time in the all rounds and they will be the future champions.

I was really amazed to see my ole training buddy Scott Tully show up and compete.  Scott is just coming off major surgery on his knee, that included a tendon reattachment.   I could tell Scott was lifting conservative but he still put up big marks.  He had the second best total of the day at 1130 pounds (just behind Ben’s 1160 pounds) and had the top Inch DB deadlift at 140 pounds. He tied Alan English with the top dumbbell deadlift with a lift of 325 pounds.

Lance Foster and Dean Ross added several new age group USAWA records with their lifting.  Lance took two attempts in the Wrist Curl to set a new record with a lift of 151 pounds.  He missed it the first time and then tried it again with success! Those kind of efforts are what I remember when the day is over.

I want to thank everyone who supported this competition.  I’m already excited about the Grip Championships next year!

Meet Results:

2016 Grip Championships
February 13th, 2016
Dino Gym
Abilene, Kansas

Meet Director: Al Myers

Meet Scorekeeper: Al Myers

Official (1-official system used): Al Myers

Lifts: Deadlift-Inch Dumbbell, One Arm, Curl-Wrist, Deadlift-Dumbbell, One Arm, Deadlift-Fingers, Middle, Deadlift, Reeves

WOMENS DIVISION

LIFTER AGE BWT INCH CURL DBDL MLDL RDL TOT PTS
Emily Burchett 24 153 75R 155 (170) 190R (205) 140 (155) 170 730 767.9
Mary McConnaughey 56 308 80R 150 165R 175 (200) 175 745 625.1
Tressa Brooner 54 129 55R 80 115R (120) 85 75 410 558.4

Successful extra attempts for records in parenthesis.

MENS DIVISION

LIFTER AGE BWT INCH CURL DBDL MFDL RDL TOT PTS
LaVerne Myers 71 238 135R 210 240L 195 255 1035 1111.5
Ben Edwards 40 218 130R 205 (225) 255R 315 255 1160 998.4
Dave Glasgow 62 258 115R 180 280R 170 290 1035 994.0
Zach Lucas 30 241 130R 220 250R 200 280 1080 872.9
Vernon Cathey 31 207 125R 165 (195) 275R (300) 195 225 985 863.5
Alan English 32 240 120R 115 325R 205 280 1045 846.6
Adam Kirchman 31 210 115R 165 (185) 275R 185 185 925 804.3
Dean Ross 73 258 80R 120 170R (190) 155 (165) 225 750 784.7
Scott Tully 40 340 140R 175 300R (325) 230 285 1130 781.7
Lance Foster 50 337 80R 140 (151) 170R (190) 225 225 840 641.3

Successful extra attempts for records in parenthesis.

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

RECORD DAY SESSION

Al Myers – 49 years old, BWT 230#
Deadlift – Dumbbell, Left Arm 320#
Deadlift – Dumbbell, Right Arm 365#
Deadlift – Reeves 330#
Pinch Grip 205#
Curl – Wrist 275#

LaVerne Myers – 71 years old, BWT 240#
Pinch Grip 172#
Deadlift – Fulton Bar, Ciavattone Grip 242#
Deadlift – Fulton Bar, Left Arm 154#
Deadlift – No Thumb, Left Arm 176#
Deadlift – No Thumb, Right Arm 176#

Dean Ross – 73 years old, BWT 260#
Back Lift 1300#
Bench Press – Feet in Air 185#
Bench Press – Hands Together 155#
Bench Press – Reverse Grip 155#
Bench Press – Fulton Bar 175#

Dino Gym Challenge

by Al Myers

DINO GYM CHALLENGE
The Mike “Murdo” Murdock Memorial Meet

Group picture from the 2016 Dino Gym Challenge.

Group picture from the 2016 Dino Gym Challenge.

The weather was great, the day was great, and the lifting was great!  That sums up this year’s Dino Gym Challenge.  I was SO impressed with the lifters that showed for this year’s Dino Gym Challenge.  Mary and Tressa made the trip from Nebraska, Lance and ET from Missouri, Dean from Oklahoma, and Denny and Art from Pennsylvania. Add in Dave, Chad, and Emily from Kansas and we had FIVE STATES represented!  Quite impressive for a gym meet in Holland, Kansas.

Emily Burchett made her lifting debut in the USAWA.  Emily is an excellent highland game thrower and has been throwing for many years.  I remember her start in the games over 10 years ago.  I think she started competing when she was 12 or 13.  Her lifting was superb – and she seemed to get stronger on the lifts as she learned them with further attempts. Her explosive strength that she has developed from the HG showed – as demonstrated by her 80 pound dumbbell swing!

It is always a pleasure having Mary and Tressa at meets.  They are full of energy and bring everyone’s lifting “up a notch”. I want to thank Dean for purposing that we do the Dino Gym Challenge this year in honor of the memory of Mike Murdock.  Dean and I picked 5 of Mike’s favorite lifts for this meet.  Several stories were shared about Mike throughout the day.  We will never forget Murdo and the influence he has had on us and the USAWA.

I can’t say enough about Denny and Art.  These two made the long trip from PA in a car.  Very few would drive 2 days to a meet, lift for 2 days, and then drive 2 days home.  Add on that they will do this again within the month when they come back for the Grip Championships!

Great lifts that I will remember: Emily’s 80# DB Swing, Mary’s 165# Bent Over Row, ET’s 130# Crucifix, Dave’s 105# Rectangular Fix (should I mention that this was the top fix of the meet?), and Chad’s “near miss” at a 600# Trap Bar Deadlift.

I want to thank my dad LaVerne for judging the event and my wife Leslie for providing the lunch.  Another great Dino Gym Challenge has been put “in the books”!

MEET RESULTS:

Dino Gym Challenge
Dino Gym
Abilene, Kansas
January 16th & 17th, 2016

Meet Promoter: Al Myers

Official (1-official system used): LaVerne Myers

Lifts: Crucifix, One Arm DB Swing, Rectangular Fix, Bent Over Row, Trap Bar Deadlift

WOMENS DIVISION

LIFTER AGE BWT CR SW FIX ROW DL TOT PTS
Emily Burchett 24 152 50 75R 55 105 198 483 510.0
Tressa Brooner 54 130 40 35R 35 90 176 376 509.5
Mary McConnaughey 56 312 60 55R 55 155 220 545 455.0

EXTRA ATTEMPTS FOR RECORDS:
Emily Burchett DB Swing 80#R
Emily Burchett Rectangular Fix 60#
Emily Burchett Bent over Row 160#
Tressa Brooner DB Swing 40#R
Mary McConnaughey Bent Over Row 165#

MENS DIVISION

LIFTER AGE BWT CR SW FIX ROW DL TOT PTS
Al Myers 49 230 70 105R 85 275 529 1064 969.2
Chad Ullom 44 255 40 125L 90 275 562 1092 900.7
Dave Glasgow 62 260 50 95L 105 225 429 904 864.9
Denny Habecker 73 196 60 70R 70 185 308 693 838.8
Dean Ross 73 258 60 55L 70 185 341 711 743.9
Art Montini 88 172 40 30L 35 80 203 388 563.8
Lance Foster 50 340 40 60R 80 245 308 733 557.3
Eric Todd 41 258 120 65R 95 175 220 675 537.6

EXTRA ATTEMPTS FOR RECORDS:
Eric Todd Crucifix 130#
Denny Habecker Bent Over Row 195#
Dean Ross Crucifix 70#
Dean Ross Bent Over Row 195#

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

RECORD DAY LIFTS

Officials (3-official system used): Al Myers, Chad Ullom, Denny Habecker, LaVerne Myers, Art Montini

Chad Ullom – Age 44 years, BWT 258#
Weaver Stick  4#
Vertical Bar Deadlift – 1 Bar, 2″, Left Hand 142#
Press – Dumbbell, Left Arm 100#
Abdominal Raise – Roman Chair 70#
Deadlift – Stiff Leg 375#

Al Myers – Age 49 years, BWT 230#
Deadlift – Inch DB, Left Hand 140#
Deadlift – Inch DB, Right Hand 140#
Deadlift – 2 Inch DB’s 250#
Abdominal Raise – Roman Chair 70#
Bench Press – Roman Chair 170#

LaVerne Myers – Age 71 years, BWT 243#
Deadlift – Fulton DB, Left Hand 165#
Weaver Stick 5#
Deadlift – Inch DB, Left Hand 140#
Deadlift – Inch DB, Right Hand 140#
Vertical Bar Deadlift – 1 Bar, 2″, Right Hand 177#

Denny Habecker – Age 73 years, BWT 197#
Deadlift – Fulton DB, Left Hand 100#
Deadlift – Fulton DB, Right Hand 100#
Weaver Stick 2#
Deadlift – Inch DB, Left Hand 50#
Deadlift – Inch DB, Right Hand 85#

Art Montini – Age 88 years, BWT 171#
Deadlift – Fulton DB, Right Hand 60#
Deadlift – Fulton DB, Left Hand 60#
Deadlift – 2 Fulton DB’s 120#
Deadleft – Inch DB, Left Hand 50#
Deadlift – Inch DB, Right Hand 50#

Postal Championships

by Al Myers

MEET RESULTS

2015 USAWA POSTAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

The year of the USAWA postal meets came to a close with the big finale, the USAWA Postal Championships.  Twelve lifters competed in this Championships, with Barry Bryan winning the OVERALL in the men’s division and Ruth Jackson winning the OVERALL in the women’s division.

Our Postal Meet Director Denny Habecker has done a great job of chosing lifts for these meets, and has already announced all the postal lifts for 2016! I will get these meets announced very soon on the website.

Again, a BIG CONGRATS to Barry and Ruth for being crowned our Postal Championships winners and a big thank you to all the other lifters who competed in our postal meet series.

MEET RESULTS

2015 Postal Championships
December, 2015

Meet Director: Denny Habecker

Lifts: Deadlift – Fulton Bar, Ciavattone Grip, Arthur Lift, Snatch – Dumbbell, One Arm

Officials (1-Official System Used for all lifters):

Lifters using certified officials:
Barry Bryan – Certified Official Denny Habecker
Al Myers – Certified Official LaVerne Myers
Denny Habecker – Certified Official Barry Bryan
LaVerne Myers – Certified Official Al Myers
Dean Ross – Certified Official Eric Todd
Lance Foster – Certified Official Eric Todd
Eric Todd – Certified Official Lance Foster
Crystal Diggs – Certified Official Ruth Jackson

Lifters using non-certified judges:
Christian Schimph
Ruth Jackson
Tressa Brooner
Mary McConnaughey

WOMENS DIVISION

LIFTER AGE BWT DL ART SN TOT PTS
Ruth Jackson 53 106 143 18.5 45R 206.5 325.2
Tressa Brooner 54 130 120 75 35R 230 310.9
Mary McConnaughey 56 318 180 55 45R 280 231.2
Crystal Diggs 29 153 73 50 25L  145 151.7

MENS DIVISION

LIFTER AGE BWT DL ART SN TOT PTS
Barry Bryan 57 193 264 132 63R 459 493.5
Al Myers 49 227 331 85 120R 536 491.6
Denny Habecker 73 193 220 132 40R 392 479.4
Christian Schimph 17 154 210 95 45L 350 365.8
LaVerne Myers 71 246 275 0 60L 335 353.3
Dean Ross 73 256 165 65 55R 285 299.8
Lance Foster 50 335 215 45 55R 315 235.6
Eric Todd 40 251 75 65 45L 185 161.9

Notes: BWT is bodyweight in pounds.  All lifts recorded in pounds. R and L designate right and left arms. TOT is total pounds lifted. PTS are overall adjusted points corrected for age and bodyweight.

Iron Warrior RD

by RJ Jackson

Meet Report And Results
IRON WARRIOR RECORD DAY

Dan Wagman pulls a big Middle Finger Lift at the meet!

Dan Wagman pulls a big Middle Finger Lift at the meet!

This year we were hoping for more lifters but instead had our lowest turn out. Jarrod Fobes trained for the Record Breakers and had a good heavy training day two Saturdays before the meet. Unfortunately he ended up hurting his upper back thus crushing any hope of competing. Fortunate for us, this meant he gave his full attention to setting up, judging, time-keeping, scoring, loading, and whatever else we needed.

Stephen Santangelo was hoping to fly in from Florida. Unfortunately he aggravated a previously torn leg muscle. So he was knocked out of attending, too.

Notwithstanding, Dan’s first lift, a 380 lbs. BP-feet in air (FIA) not only beat the USAWA record but unofficially exceeded the IAWA record of 364 lbs. Though Dan was not able to pull though his second attempts for both the FIA and Bench Press-reverse grip, both were near misses. However, he did not let this affect his other lifts. His wrist curl, Jefferson Fulton bar lift, and finger lifts, were all solid except when he ripped the skin off of his right index finger. Seeing Dan nail the 503 lbs. Jefferson Fulton bar after getting it somewhat stuck on his hamstring was probably the most suspenseful to watch.

As for me, I am most proud of my dumbbell walk that took 2 years of training to unofficially beat the IAWA record.

I would like to thank Jarrod for running the meet and the owners of Iron Warrior Gym for the use of their facility. It is difficult to compete in a gym that is not set up for serious strength athletes, especially during maximal effort attempts. However the Iron Warrior gym definitely gave us full support. There were ample calibrated and fractional plates, numerous bars, chalk, plenty of space, free choice of music, and in general a supportive lifting atmosphere. Basically we were able to lift and do our thing and as a result I have not felt so good from lifting in a long time. It was a very good day.

MEET RESULTS

Iron Warrior Record Day
1610 West Evans Ave
Denver, CO 80010
December 27, 2015

Officials: Jarrod Fobes and RJ Jackson

Lifters:

Dan Wagman: open division, 85 kg weight class
Bench press, feet in air:  380 lbs.
Bench press, reverse grip: 355 lbs.
Bent-over row:  335 lbs.
Finger lifts, index, LH:  137 lbs.
Finger lifts, index, RH:  132 lbs.
Finger lifts, middle, LH:  201 lbs.
Finger lifts, middle, RH:  201 lbs.
Jefferson lift, Fulton bar:  503.5 lbs.
Wrist curl:  300 lbs.

RJ Jackson: 54 years old, 50 kg weight class
Abdominal raise:  30 lbs.
Bearhug:  102.5 lbs.
Swing, 2 dumbbells: 60 lbs.
Clean & Press, middle fingers: 40 lbs.
Clean & Press, reverse grip: 65 lbs.
Dumbbell walk: 52.5 lbs.
Deadlift, Fulton dumbbell, left: 67 lbs.
Deadlift, Fulton dumbbell, right: 77 lbs.
Deadlift, fingers, ring: 80 lbs.
Deadlift, fingers, index: 80 lbs.
Deadlift, one leg, right: 105 lbs.
Deadlift, one leg, left: 95 lbs.
Finger lifts, index, left: 70 lbs.
Finger lifts, index, right: 77 lbs.
Kelly snatch: 40 lbs.

John’s Birthday RD

by John McKean

MEET REPORT AND RESULTS
John’s Birthday Record Day
Turning 70 -Easy as Apple pie !

John McKean enjoyed some homemade apple pie on his 70th birthday!

John McKean enjoyed some homemade apple pie on his 70th birthday!

Due to expected December snowstorms, I’d confided to Art Montini, “we’ll probably only have 2 lifters attending my birthday meet- you & me- and I might not be able to make it!!” But the weather looked more like Art’s October meet, than one held during Christmas week! Heck , if travel weather was to be a big factor, I’m still wondering how Dean Ross made an over 19 hour one-way drive to beat me to my own contest!!

Yep, Dean continues his quest to more & more records, and did superbly with an energetic 8 new marks, despite summoning even more energy in returning to the road immediately for the repeat 19+ hour drive and an 8AM start for work in the morning!! Next in was Stephen Santangelo, all the way from northern Kentucky, with a present of an absolutely wonderful, natural organic apple pie, which his lovely wife (and fantastic cook!!) Lori had baked for the occasion EVERYBODY dove into this tasty, nutritional treat – Denny Habecker arrived from across state and didn’t even pocket his keys or take off his coat before he was chowing down on a piece of this large pie!! Thanks, Lori, for such a great birthday gift – this “brunch” made the meet, for all of us!!

Next in came the Cleveland crowd – Scott Schmidt and his ever smiling wife, then Denny Mitchell and Flossy, all amazed at easy travel through our normal snow belt! Both Scott & Dennis enjoyed this chance at another record day, since Art’s meet right after the World’s had left little training prep time in October. As Scott cheerfully exclaimed. “Wow, it’s so cool that we actually have another shot at records, with real training time behind it!”

Old Art Montini did a single lift with each of 5 lifts, acquiring an easy new 5 world records. And Stephen Santangelo treated us to a rarely seen “Saxon Snatch”, among others, with his specially built (and approved) equipment.

We all left the gym at a little past noon, despite all the chalk dust we had left flying! Outside it was bright sun and blue skies, and warming, with clear roads for travel. Now that it’s all over and done,” let it snow!!” Merry Christmas, all !

MEET RESULTS

John’s 70th Birthday Records Day
Ambridge VFW Barbell Club
Duss Ave  Ambridge, PA
Dec 20, 2015

Officials (3-official system used: Denny Habecker, Scott Schmidt, Dennis Mitchell, Art Montini, John McKean

Lifters:

Dennis Mitchell  age 83 weight 151.5 div 80+,70K
1″bar left hand vertical bar deadlift 56 pounds
1″bar right hand vertical bar deadlift 56 #
left hand one arm Ciavattone deadlift 93#
right hand one arm Ciavattone deadlift 93#
stiff leg deadlift 150#

John McKean age 70 weight 165 div 70+, 75K
Straddle deadlift 2″ barbell 260 pounds
Hack lift 2″ barbell 210#
Power Row 174#
Trap Bar Deadlift 300#
Jefferson (Straddle lift) 259#
2 barbells deadlift 260#
one arm (R) barbell deadlift 209#
one arm (L) barbell deadlift 209#
right one arm dumbbell deadlift 175#
Alternate grip bench press 115#
Bench Press feet in air 120#

Stephen R Santangelo age 63 weight 166 div 60+, 80K
Fulton bar snatch 85 pounds
No thumb overhand deadlift  285#
No thumbs deadlift 305#
Saxon Snatch  80#
Dumbbell Walk 77#

Art Montini age 88 weight 174 div 85+, 80K
Little fingers straddle lift 45 pounds
Index fingers straddle lift 60#
ring fingers straddle lift 70 #
middle fingers straddle lift 88#
2″ barbell straddle lift 135#

Denny Habecker age 73 weight 195 div 70+ , 90K
Bench press hands together  135 pounds
Bench Press Fulton bar 170#
Deadlift 12″ base 265#

Scott Schmidt age 63 weight 231 div 60+, 105K
Right hand 2″ vertical bar deadlift 85K
Left hand 2″ vertical bar deadlift 85K
2 hand 2″ vertical bar deadlift 135K
French Press 55K
Bent over (power) Row 115K

Dean Ross age 73 weight 254.5 div 70+, 120K
Rectangular fix Fulton Bar 50 pounds
Holdout Fulton bar lowered 50#
Holdout Fulton bar raised 50#
Straddle deadlift 2″ bar 210 pounds
Deadlift 2″ bar  260#
Ciavattone Fulton bar deadlift  170#
Left hand Fulton bar deadlift 80#
Right hand Fulton bar deadlift 80#

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