Author Archives: Dale Friesz

Summary of Heavy Lift Competitions

June 27, 2010 Dale Friesz

by Dale E. Friesz

Men’s Division

Event	Winner	Harness	Hip	H&T	Neck	Back	Total
USAWA Heavy Lift Championships 2009-5/16 Lebanon, PA	Al Myers Age 42 BWT 254	NC	1845	1204	405	NC	3454
USAWA Heavy Lift Championships 2008-11/15 Columbia, MO	Steve Schmidt Age 53 BWT 224	3000	2020	1300	355	2750	9425
USAWA Heavy Lift Championships 2007-11/09 Columbia, MO	Steve Schmidt Age 52 BWT 224	2885	2000	1300	315	2705	9345
USAWA Heavy Lift Championships 2006-11/12 Columbia, MO	Steve Schmidt Age 51 BWT 223	2700	2100	1200	355	2805	9160
Schmidt’s Backbreaker Pentathlon 2005-11/13 Columbia, MO	Steve Schmidt Age 50 BWT 218	3010	1900	1300	400	2705	9315
USAWA National Heavy Lift Championships 2005-8/27 Walpole, MA	Frank Ciavattone Age 50 BWT 270	2200	1900	1200	702	1800	7802
Schmidt’s Backbreaker Pentathlon 2004-11/14 Columbia, MO	Steve Schmidt Age 49 BWT 220	3110	2105	1400	415	2615	9645
USAWA Heavy Lift Championships 2004-8/28 Lebanon, PA	Frank Ciavattone Age 49 BWT 267	NC	1902	1203	653	NC	3758
Schmidt’s Backbreaker Pentathlon & USAWA Heavy Lift Meet 2003-11/09 Columbia, MO	Steve Schmidt Age 48 BWT 208	2900	2000	1300	405	2700	9305
Schmidt’s Backbreaker Pentathlon 2002-11/10 Columbia, MO	Steve Schmidt Age 47 BWT 209	3005	2050	1000	400	2600	9055
USAWA Heavy Lift Championships 2002-10/19 Walpole, MA	Frank Ciavattone Age 47 BWT 263	2000	2005	1450	650	2000	8105
USAWA Heavy Lift Championships 2001-11/10 Columbia, MO	Dale Spry Age 41 BWT 196	2005	1400	625	335	1000	5365
USAWA Heavy Lift Championships 2000-11/05 Columbia, MO	John Monk Age 35 BWT 152	1685	1325	1005	555	1305	5875
Steve Schmidt’s Backbreaker 1999-10/31 Columbia, MO	James Foster Age 30 BWT 204	1400	1200	1005	505	1500	5610
USAWA National Heavy Lift Championships 1999-9/11 Walpole, MA	Frank Ciavattone Age 44 BWT 278	2400	1750	1400	650	NC	6200
USAWA National Heavy Lift Championships 1998-12/05 Walpole, MA	Frank Ciavattone Age 43 BWT 273	2350	1800	1200	550	NC	5900
Schmidt’s Backbreaker Pentathlon 1998-11/01 Columbia, MO	Joe Garcia Age 45 BWT 222	1680	1475	1275	475	1670	6575
USAWA Heavy Lift Championships 1997-11/01 Columbia, MO	John Carter Age 39 BWT 229	3405	2305	1275	400	2000	9385
USAWA Heavy Lift Championships 1996-10/27 Columbia, MO	John Carter Age 38 BWT 226	3015	2335	1205	400	2300	9255
USAWA Heavy Lift Championships 1995-10/29 Columbia, MO	John Carter Age 37 BWT 222	2905	2305	1105	400	2600	9315
USAWA Heavy Lift Championships 1994-10/30 Columbia, MO	John Carter Age 36 BWT 215	2500	2525	910	400	2300	8635
Schmidt’s Backbreaker Pentathlon 1993-10/24 Columbia, MO	John Carter Age 35 BWT 208	2505	2310	900	400	2205	8320
Schmidt’s Backbreaker Pentathlon 1992-10/25 Sullivan, MO	Steve Schmidt Age 37 BWT 209	3315	2390	1100	502	2912	10219
Schmidt’s Backbreaker Pentathlon 1991-10/20 Sullivan, MO	Steve Schmidt Age 36 BWT 220	3515	2420	1013	547	2902	10377
Schmidt’s Backbreaker Pentathlon 1990-10/21 Sullivan, MO	Steve Schmidt Age 35 BWT 219	2867	2350	1124	506	2800	9647
Schmidt’s Backbreaker Pentathlon 1989-10/22 Sullivan, MO	Steve Schmidt Age 34 BWT 220	3505	2200	1005	505	2822	10037
Strongman Pentathlon 1988-10/16 Sullivan, MO	Steve Schmidt Age 33 BWT 223	3500	2200	1200	475	2850	10231
Schmidt’s Pentathlon 1987-10/11 Sullivan, MO	Steve Schmidt Age 32 BWT 218	3300	2400	1225	470	2805	10200
Strongman Pentathlon 1986-10/25 Sullivan, MO	Steve Schmidt Age 31 BWT 224	3000	2135	1150	435	2610	9330

Women’s Division

Event	Winner	Harness	Hip	H&T	Neck	Back	Total
USAWA National Heavy Lift Championships 2005-8/27 Walpole, MA	Cara Collins Age 33 BWT 205	920	900	390	250	378	2788
USAWA Heavy Lift Championships 2002-10/19 Walpole, MA	Cara Collins Age 30 BWT 240	800	880	600	250	1000	3530
USAWA National Heavy Lift Championships 1998-12/05 Walpole, MA	Cara Collins Age 26 BWT 187	1000	600	600	250	NC	2450
USAWA Heavy Lift Championships 1997-11/01 Columbia, MO	Amy Burks Age 19 BWT 125	1085	885	465	175	850	3470
USAWA Heavy Lift Championships 1995-10/29 Columbia, MO	Emily Gordon Age 12 BWT 77	450	300	165	85	250	1250
USAWA Heavy Lift Championships 1994-10/30 Columbia, MO	Kerry Clark Age 30 BWT 165	1075	1055	450	345	1360	4285
Schmidt’s Backbreaker Pentathlon 1993-10/24 Columbia, MO	Kerry Clark Age 29 BWT 163	1305	1125	525	325	1210	4490
Schmidt’s Backbreaker Pentathlon 1992-10/25 Sullivan, MO	Deanne Hartwig Age 43 BWT 135	900	701	352	167	706	2826
Schmidt’s Backbreaker Pentathlon 1989-10/22 Sullivan, MO	Cindy Garcia Age 36 BWT 152	850	700	450	185	1000	3185
Strongman Pentathlon 1988-10/16 Sullivan, MO	Ruth Thrasher Age 24 BWT 113	860	700	280	215	750	2805

BWT – bodyweight

NC – Lift Not Contested at Meet

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

The One and Only Steve Schmidt

June 26, 2010 Dale Friesz

There is only one SUPER HEAVY LIFT LIFTER:

THE ONE and ONLY STEVE SCHMIDT

by Dale E. Friesz

Steve Schmidt set many Back Lift records using his custom-built Back Lift Apparatus.

What follows is a history of the male and female winners of what has progressed, in name only, from the STRONGMAN PENTATHLON, to the SCHMIDT’S PENTATHLON, to the SCHMIDT’S BACKBREAKER PENTATHLON, to the USAWA NATIONAL HEAVY LIFT CHAMPIONSHIPS, to the STEVE SCHMIDT’S BACKBREAKER, and to the USAWA HEAVY LIFT CHAMPIONSHIPS. The data source is our former organization’s newsletter written by Bill Clark, the STRENGTH JOURNAL. I believe it is safe to assume that Bill Clark was involved in the meet name changes. The same five lifts have been contested since the first meet on 11/25-1986 – the lifts are the NECK LIFT, the HAND & THIGH, the HIP LIFT, the HARNESS LIFT, and the BACKLIFT. It seems that Steve Schmidt, together with Bill Clark, conceived of the meet as it contains the four chain lifts and the biggest lift of all the USAWA – the BACKLIFT. Steve has competed in 14 of these meets since the first in 1986 in his yard and barn in Sullivan, Missouri. He is UNDEFEATED! The small table that follows shows how Steve has managed to cheat father time:

TOTAL	YEAR	LOCATION	BWT	AGE
10377	1991	Sullivan	220	36
10231	1988	Sullivan	223	33
10219	1992	Sullivan	209	37
10200	1987	Sullivan	218	32
10037	1989	Sullivan	220	34
9647	1990	Sullivan	219	35
9645	2004	Columbia	220	49
9415	2008	Columbia	224	53
9345	2007	Columbia	224	52
9330	1986	Sullivan	224	31
9315	2005	Columbia	218	50
9305	2003	Columbia	208	48
9160	2006	Columbia	223	51
9055	2002	Columbia	209	47

I have enjoyed the recent forum discussions that Steve’s apparatus and large diameter heavy bar made it possible for him to lift such “unreal” poundages. Also, as he aged he was not able to lift as much weight. I point out that no one has been able to beat him regardless of the equipment used. Also, that after nearly a quarter century of training he cracked the 3000 pound backlift ceiling twice in one meet, maxing at 3050 pounds. Big Al was very much present when it was done as it took place in his gym, using his state of the art backlift equipment.

History of the Deanna Springs Memorial Meet

April 27, 2010 Dale Friesz

Written and Compiled by Dale Friesz

There has been 15 Deanna Springs Memorial Meets. Joe Garcia owns this meet – he has won 9 of these meets. He participated in two others – 2003 and 1997. Amazingly he failed to total in 2003 and 1997. In 2003, he was unable to do a Hand and Thigh Lift and in 1997 he failed in the Hip Lift. He could not do the Hand and Thigh Lift in 2003 as he had been kicked by his own horse! In 1997, his choice of weight in the Hip Lift was too heavy. That amounts to 9 wins in 11 contests. My hat is off to Joe!!

Deanna and Al Springs, performing a 2-person Cheat Curl

The following is from the USAWA Strength Journal, Vol. VI-7 11/25-1995:

Deanna Springs Dies in Auto Crash
by Kerry Clark, a national USWF titlist like Deanna, contributed the following eulogy for her close friend.

On October 5, 1995, Deanna Springs was killed in a car accident at the age of 45. Deanna was the wife of Al Springs of Dearborn, Missouri. Deanna met Al when she came to his fitness center for rehabilitation for shoulder and wrist problems. She lifted in her first USAWA meet at Steve Schmidt’s in 1992, and although she continued to battle back and arm problems she developed into an excellent and enthusiastic lifter over the last few years. Al and Deanna were rightfully proud of her record-making marks of 600 pounds in the Hand and Thigh and 1100 pounds in the Hip Lift. But more than a devoted lifter, Deanna Springs was a wonderful person. She and Al came to all of our meets at Clark’s Gym. Deanna was always the friendliest and most supportive person in the room. She worked hard to become a better lifter herself and she always gave out encouragement, even to her competitors. I always looked forward to our meets because I knew that Deanna would be there. At her funeral, the minister spoke of Deanna’s accomplishments in the USAWA and her National Championship medal was placed in the casket with her. I felt glad to know that Deanna cared so much about the USAWA because I know that my experience in this organization was enriched by her presence. Deanna Springs was a great lifter, supporter of the USAWA, and a friend. She was also Al’s greatest booster. Her death was an unexpected blow and she will be greatly missed.

Past Winners of the Deanna Springs Memorial Meet:

MEN’S DIVISION

DATE	WINNER	AGE	BWT	TOTAL	POINTS
2010 – 3/28	JOE GARCIA	56	215	3770	3611.64
2009 – 3/28	JOE GARCIA	55	240	3950	3711.88
2008 – 4/06	AL MYERS	42	239	3525	2948.17
2007 – 3/25	ABE SMITH	25	171	3610	3534.55
2006 – 3/26	JOE GARCIA	52	245	4035	3655.85
2005 – 4/02	ABE SMITH	23	165	4105	4111.98
2004 – 4/04	JOE GARCIA	50	231	3980	3650.87
2003 – 4/06	STEVE SCHMIDT	47	215	3940	3654.37
2002 – 4/07	JOE GARCIA	48	241	4120	3627.67
2001 – 3/31	JOE GARCIA	47	242	3195	2783.60
2000 – 3/26	JOSH PEMBERTON	24	209	2960	2581.12
1999 – 3/28	JOE GARCIA	45	241	4525	3876.54
1998 – 3/28	JOE GARCIA	44	229	4140	3608.4
1997 – 4/12	JOHN CARTER	39	226	4245	3553.07
1996 – 3/30	JOE GARCIA	42	223	2550	2210.98

WOMEN’S DIVISION

DATE	WINNER	AGE	BWT	TOTAL	POINTS
2004 – 4/04	JESSICA TODD	28	188	1850	1712.18
2001 – 3/31	ANGELA McBRIDE	22	132	2140	2490.32
1996 – 3/30	AMORKOR OLLENNUNKING	33	175	1875	1810.50

Notes: BWT is bodyweight in pounds. Total is total pounds lifted. Points are bodyweight and age adjusted.

LIFTS:

1996 – Cheat Curl, Zercher Lift, Crucifix, Jefferson Lift, Hand and Thigh Lift
1997 – Cheat Curl, Crucifix, Jefferson Lift, Hand and Thigh Lift, Hip Lift
1998 to present – Crucifix, Cheat Curl, Deanna Lift, Hand and Thigh Lift, Hip Lift

LOCATIONS:

1996 – Springs’ Garage Gym (Dearborn, Missouri)
1997 to present – Clark’s Championship Gym (Columbia, Missouri)

Paul Anderson’s Neck Training

April 24, 2010 Dale Friesz

by Dale Friesz

Paul Anderson training the Neck (photo courtesy of Glenda Anderson, Paul Anderson Youth Home, Vidalia, Georgia)

“This is a picture of Paul Anderson doing a Neck Lift with a side to side swinging motion. I find this very interesting. I also have an old VHS video tape that shows him do a Neck Lift with a 360 degree continuous swing.” – Dale Friesz

(Webmaster’s comment – I sure would like to see that tape!!)

USAWA Daily News

Meeting Bob Hoffman

April 23, 2010 Dale Friesz

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

USAWA Daily News

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