Author Archives: Al Myers

Dean Ross – Hall of Fame Biography

By Al Myers

(Below is the Hall of Fame Biography for Dean Ross, who was inducted into the USAWA Hall of Fame at the 2019 USAWA National Championships.  This bio is now included in the HOF Archives on the website.)

HALL OF FAME BIOGRAPHY

DEAN ROSS – CLASS OF 2019

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Dean Ross is a man of many talents.  He has been involved with the USAWA since 2009.  His previous strength passion involved participating in the Scottish Highland Games, where he put up a Hall of Fame career.    Dean has always been known for his commitment to enter competitions.  When he was throwing several times he would compete on Saturday and then drive over 500 miles overnight to another competition on Sunday.   That same enthusiasm he has brought to the USAWA.   During the last 10 years Dean has competed in over 100 USAWA events. That is a mark that no one else has ever done!  He is a member of the Dino Gym and supports all of the gym’s events, as well as making long driving trips to big events like Nationals. Everyone in the USAWA knows Dean, as he has participated in events in every club.

Dean has put up a very impressive resume during these previous years:

  • 9th place overall at the 2018 Nationals in Cocoa Beach, Florida
  • 6th place overall at the 2016 Nationals in Norwood, Massachusetts
  • Best Lifter in the 70-74 age group at 2016 Nationals
  • 9th place overall at the 2015 Nationals in York, Pennsylvania
  • 7th place overall at the 2014 Nationals in Macomb, Illinois
  • 7th place overall at the 2012 Nationals in Las Vegas, Nevada
  • Lifter of the Month 2 times – July 2018 & August 2015
  • Presidential Cup Award Winner in 2015
  • Overall Team Champion with LaVerne Myers at the 2017 Team Championships
  • Grand Slam Postal Series Winner – 2016 & 2015
  • 9th Place overall in the 2016 Postal Series
  • 6th Place overall in the 2015 Postal Series
  • 8th place overall in the 2016 IAWA World Championships in Lebanon, PA
  • USAWA Sportsmanship Award winner in 2016 & 2017
  • USAWA Athlete of the Year Runner Up Award winner in 2015
  • USAWA Courage Award winner in 2013
  • USAWA Newcomer Award winner in 2011

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Dean strength as an All Rounder is his ability to set records in a wide array of different lifts.  He currently has the fourth most USAWA records of any lifter in the history of the USAWA, with 383.  But even more impressive, is these records have been accomplished in over 150 different lifts! Dean is one of the few lifters to have competed in every one of the Championship events that the USAWA offers, which includes the Heavy Lift Championships, Grip Championships, Presidential Cup, Postal Championships, Club Championships, Old Time Strongman Championships, Team Championships, and the National Championships.  He has also competed at the International level – having competed in the 2016 IAWA Worlds, 2016 Gold Cup, and the 2013 Gold Cup.  Dean loves to lift heavy and has the goal of doing at least one lift over 1000 pounds every year in competition.  He has accomplished this goal consistently over the past 10 years.  Dean is one of the most well liked guys in the USAWA, and always has a new story to tell.   He is a great competitor, and always encourages other lifters.  It is a fitting honor for him to join the USAWA Hall of Fame.

LaVerne Myers – Hall of Fame Biography

By Al Myers

(Below is the Hall of Fame Biography for LaVerne Myers, who was inducted into the USAWA Hall of Fame at the 2019 USAWA National Championships.  This bio is now included in the HOF Archives on the website.)

HALL OF FAME BIOGRAPHY

LAVERNE MYERS – CLASS OF 2019

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LaVerne was born on May 1st, 1944.   He has spent his entire life in the Abilene, Kansas area.   During his working years he was a dairy and crop farmer and at one time milked over 100 cows.  He is married to Jeanette and has 3 sons – Alan, David, and Brian.

LaVerne became involved with the USAWA in 2002, after he attended the National Championships in Youngstown, Ohio.  This inspired him to become much more involved in the All Rounds and began training the lifts.  He has attended many big meets, including IAWA Championships overseas.   He has competed in England 3 times (2018 Worlds in Eastbourne, 2014 Gold Cup in Burton on Trent, 2018 Gold Cup in Eastbourne)  and in Scotland 1 times  (2017 Gold Cup in Glasgow).  He trains at the Dino Gym in Holland, KS.

Among his many accomplishments:

  • Best lifter in the 70+ at the World Championships in Eastbourne, England
  • 7th Place overall finish at the 2016 World Championships in Lebanon, PA
  • Best Lifter in the 65-69 at the 2012 World Championships in Salina, KS
  • 7th Place overall finish at the 2018 USAWA Nationals
  • Best Lifter in the 70+ at the 2018 Nationals in Cocoa Beach, Florida
  • 9th Place overall finish at the 2017 Nationals in Cleveland, Ohio
  • 8th Place overall finish at the 2012 Nationals in Las Vegas, Nevada
  • Sportsmanship Award Runner Up 2016 & 2017
  • Lifter of the Month 4 times
  • USAWA Certified Level 2 Official for over 10 years
  • Overall Best Lifter at the USAWA Grip Championships 3 times (2019, 2016, 2015)
  • 3rd place overall in the 2016 Postal Series
  • Overall Best Lifter at the 2017 Team Championships with Dean Ross
  • Runner Up for the Howard Prechtel Award at the 2016 IAWA Gold Cup
  • IAWA Commitment Award winner in 2018
  • Meet promoter for the 2016 IAWA Gold Cup in Abilene, KS
  • Meet promoter for the 2019 IAWA World Championships in Abilene, KS

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LaVerne’s favorite lifts are any lifts involving grip strength.  He has earned the nicknames “La Grip” and “Mr. Vice Grip” among his all-round friends.  He is one of the top record holders in the USAWA, with over 200 records. This record mark currently puts him in 11th place overall in total records held in the history of the USAWA.  Some of his top records are: 182# in the one arm Fulton Bar Deadlift,  242# Inch Dumbbells Deadlift, 123# in the Dumbbell Walk,  335# in the Pinch Grip Deadlift, 255# in the Reeves Deadlift,  182# in the 2” One Handed Vertical Bar Lift,  330# in the 2 bar 2” Vertical Bar Deadlift, 300# Ciavattone Grip Deadlift with the Fulton Bar,  and 6# in the Weaver Sticks.  All of these records were set over the age of 65 and many are overall records within his weight class.  In his 70’s he can still do pullups with a thumbless grip!

One of his lifting highlights included doing a 2 man lift with his son Al at the 2017 IAWA Gold Cup in Glasgow, Scotland.  Together they did 441# in the Team One Hand Thumbless Deadlift in front of an international lifting crowd.  LaVerne is an IAWA official, and has officiated at many IAWA World Championships and Gold Cups.  LaVerne biggest enjoyment in the USAWA has been making many great friends all over the World.

Greg Cook – Lifter of the Month

By Al Myers

Greg Cook - USAWA Lifter of the Month for July

Greg Cook – USAWA Lifter of the Month for July

The USAWA Lifter of the Month for July is Greg Cook. In July, Greg competed in the Second Annual IAWA Old Time Strongman Championships and once the dust had settled, earned the title of BEST LIFTER OVERALL.  He lifted exceptionally – highlighted by his amazing 805 pound Kennedy Lift.  I was able to witness it firsthand, thus I can attest to what an outstanding lift it was! This IAWA Postal Championships had competitors from all over the World enter, and many that competed where World Class All Rounders themselves.  Congrats Greg – you deserve being Lifter of the Month for July!

World Best Lifters

By Al Myers

At the 2019 IAWA World Championships there were many great lifters in attendance!  The competition was fierce, but in the end only ONE lifter is crowned as the overall best lifter of the meet.  I knew it was going to be a close one in both the women’s and men’s divisions before the meet – and that turned out to be the case.  Today I want to recognize these two OVERALL BEST LIFTERS.  For the men’s division, the overall winner was Steve Sherwood and in the women’s division it was Elizabeth Skwarecki.   Congratulations to both of these outstanding lifters!

Elizabeth Skwarecki, the Overall Best Womens Lifter at the 2019 IAWA World Championships, receiving her award from Meet Promoter Al Myers.

Elizabeth Skwarecki, the Overall Best Womens Lifter at the 2019 IAWA World Championships, receiving her award from Meet Promoter Al Myers.

Top 3 Men's Overall Best Lifters at the 2019 IAWA World Championships (left to right): Dan Wagman 3rd, Steve Sherwood 1st, and Steve Andrews 2nd.

Top 3 Men’s Overall Best Lifters at the 2019 IAWA World Championships (left to right): Dan Wagman 3rd, Steve Sherwood 1st, and Steve Andrews 2nd.

World Championships

PRESS RELEASE

The 2019 International All Round Weightlifting Association (IAWA) World Championships occurred on October 5th & 6th in Abilene, Kansas.  Lifters from all over the World came to compete in this All Round Weightlifting Championships. Several lifters attended from England, as well a lifter from Ireland and a lifter from Australia. Local Abilene resident Al Myers served as the meet promoter for this Championships.  Every year IAWA hosts a World Championships which features the best All Round Weightlifters in the organization. The location of this Championships rotates among all of the affiliated organizations.  Last year the IAWA World Championships were held in Eastbourne, England.  Several All Round lifts were contested over the two days.  The lifts were the Reverse Curl, Snatch from Hang, One Hand Clean and Jerk, Thumbless Deadlift, Pullover and Push, Continental to the Belt, and the 2″ Bar Straddle Lift. The overall women’s best lifter was Elizabeth Skwarecki from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.   The overall men’s best lifter was Steve Sherwood, from England.  Two local Abilene men competed in this event, LaVerne Myers and Brandon Rein. Both were crowned World Champions in their respective age and bodyweight classes.  The next IAWA Championship will be the Gold Cup, which will occur in 1 month in Perth, Australia.

Group picture from the 2019 IAWA World Championships

Group picture from the 2019 IAWA World Championships

MEET RESULTS:

World Champs 2019 Day1    World Champs 2019 Day2     World Champs 2019 Both Days

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