USAWA

by Al Myers

Three generations of lifters - Al Myers, Molly Myers, and LaVerne Myers

We had a very successful record day at the Dino Gym. We had 9 lifters and over 40 USAWA records broken! There were many highlights of the day. I was very excited to see Ben Edwards, of Lawrence Kansas, show up. Ben is well known for his grip accomplishments. He has competed in numerous grip competitions. He lifted 202 pounds in the one-arm 2″ Vertical Bar Deadlift with both the right and left!! I have always felt that breaking the 200 pound barrier in the 2″VB is the mark that puts a lifter in an elite group. Doing it with both hands is even more impressive. The USAWA rules for One-Arm VB lifting is more strict than other organizations. The lifting hand has to be above mid-thigh, the legs straight, and the bar has to be completely motionless at the finish. I was glad to see Jason Payne make his return to the USAWA. Jason came in set to break the gym record in the hub lift. The hub lift is not an USAWA lift. The gym record was 55 pounds until Jason broke it numerous times. He ended up with 62 pounds. Afterwards, he gave a shot at hub lifting an old-style York 45, but was too tired at that point. I think he would have had a good chance at it if he was fresh!! We had three young kids set numerous records. It is really exciting to see the enthusiasm in young lifters as they set a record. You can see in their faces the feeling of accomplishment. My daughter, Molly, even set the most records at 13. She became the first female to set a gym record. She did 70 pounds in the Mansfield Lift!! I have a feeling that this may stand for quite some time in our gym. The highlight for me on this day was having my father compete in his first weightlifting event. I was quite surprised how well he did considering this was his first time ever lifting weights. My dad has spent his life as a dairyman and farmer and the years of hard farm work is a strength training program in itself. When I was setting a record in the one-arm Inch Dumbbell Deadlift, he joined in and beat me head to head!! This is a dumbbell with a handle of 2.5 inches in diameter. We both got 140 pounds with our right arms, but he got 140 with his left while I could manage just 130. His lift of 167pounds in the one-arm 2″ VB was also quite impressive. I want to thank everyone who showed up to make this day a great success.

FULL MEET RESULTS:

Dino Gym Record Day
February 15, 2009
Dino Gym, Abilene, Kansas

Meet Director:  Al Myers
Officials (3 official system used): Al Myers, Ben Edwards, and Brian Krenzin

Lifters and Records:

Chris Krenzin  BW – 123 lbs.  Age – 8 years  Class:  Male 60 Kilos  8-9 Age Group

Curl, Strict  30 lbs.                                Deadlift, Heels Together  130 lbs.
Vertical Bar, 2″, Right Arm  73 lbs.

Molly Myers   BW – 114 lbs.  Age – 10 years   Class: Female 55 Kilos 10-11 Age Group

Curl, Strict   35 lbs.                                Curl, Cheat    45 lbs.
Clean and Press   45 lbs.                          Deadlift, Right Arm  90 lbs.
Deadlift, Left Arm   90 lbs.                        Deadlift, Heels Together 160 lbs.
Jefferson Lift  160 lbs.                             Pullover & Push   70 lbs.
Bench Feet in Air   60 lbs.                        Bench, Hands Together  45 lbs.
Maxey Press   40 lbs.                              Mansfield Lift   70 lbs.
Vertical Bar, 2″, Right Arm   88 lbs.

Tyler Krenzin   BW – 105 lbs.  Age – 11 years   Class:  Male 50 Kilos  10-11 Age Group

Curl, Strict  25 lbs.                                   Deadlift, Heels Together  120 lbs.
Vertical Bar, 2″, Right Arm  63 lbs.

Casey Barten  BW – 175 lbs.  Age – 29 years   Class:   Male 80 Kilo Open Age Group

Bench Press, Right Hand  70 lbs                   Bench Press, Left Hand  80 lbs.
Deadlift, Fulton Bar, Left Arm   121 lbs.         Vertical Bar, 1″, Right Arm 185 lbs.
Vertical Bar, 1″, Left Arm  165 lbs.

Ben Edwards  BW – 218 lbs.  Age – 33 years   Class:  Male 100 Kilo  Open Age Group

Vertical Bar, 2″, Right Arm 202 lbs.               Vertical Bar, 2″, Left Arm 202 lbs.
Deadlift, No Thumb, Left Arm 230 lbs.

Jason Payne BW – 272.5 lbs.  Age – 43 years  Class:  Male 125 Kilo 40-44 Age Group

Hub Lift, Right Arm  62 lbs.

Brian Krenzin  BW – 330 lbs. Age – 38 years  Class:  Male Unlimited Open Age Group

Abdominal Raise, Roman Chair 60 lbs.              Wrist Curl  150 lbs.

Al Myers  BW – 255 lbs.  Age – 42 years   Class:  Male 120 Kilo 40-44 Age Group

Roman Chair Situp  1000 lbs.                         Wrist Curl  220 lbs.
Deadlift, No Thumb, Right Arm  230 lbs.           Curl, Strict   101 lbs.
Deadlift, Inch DB, Right Arm 140 lbs.               Deadlift, Inch DB, Left Arm  130 lbs.

LaVerne Myers BW – 244 lbs.  Age – 64 years  Class:  Male 115 Kilo 60-64 Age Group

Vertical Bar, 2″, Left Arm  167 lbs.                  Deadlift, Inch DB, Right Arm 140 lbs.
Deadlift, Inch DB, Left Arm 140 lbs.                Curl, Strict  101 lbs.
Wrist Curl  180 lbs.