USAWA

By Eric Todd

Today, the USAWA saw the 11th installment of the Old Time Strongman Championship hosted by KCSTRONGMAN in the megalopolis of Turney, Missouri.  It was the perfect day for such a championship, and the lifting was top shelf.  We had a few competitors drop out for various reasons the week prior to the meet, but luckily, we had a good number of entries, so we had decent numbers even after they withdrew.  We also saw the largest group of lady lifters that this championship has seen.

This championship event started off with the Thor’s hammer.  This one can certainly be a fickle mistress.  You really have to hit the sweet spot to get it to stick at the top.  I cannot tell you how many times I was about to give the down command when the lifter lost control at the top.  Some were able to come back and hit it and some were not.  Dave Deforest had an attempt where he missed it what seemed to be around 400 times at the top, only to hit a good lift with about 3 seconds left.  The cream of the crop was Greg Cook, 2017s OTMS men’s champion, who nailed a lift of 52.5 pounds, which is a mere stone’s throw away from the best lift ever. Chris Todd came in at 40 pounds for a successful 4th attempt for a record.

We then moved on to the Lurich Lift.  This lift is named for Old Time Strongman George Lurich and has not been contested within the OTSM Championship before.  It was run as an exhibition lift in 2017 before being officially accepted as a USAWA lift at the 2018 national meeting.  This one can offer the same challenges for some lifters as the hack lift, which is the bar can get bound up on the hamstrings.  Our two younger ladies, Phoebe and Lilly Todd both went 200 and more on this discipline, while Stacy Todd hit the high mark of 360 for the women’s division.  In the men’s class it was all Chad Ullom, who broke his own all-time record mark with a 610 pound effort. Dave DeForest had what appeared to be his very top end pull at 430 before passing away briefly on the platform.  Everett Todd hit a personal best 190 at only nine years old.  Leroy Todd hit a successful 175 on a fourth attempt.

We then broke for lunch where we dined on barbeque pork sandwiches, which were prepared by Stacy Todd, and potato chips.

After the lunch break, the lifting resumed with the Anderson Press, which is named after Paul Anderson.  In the Women’s division Lilly and Phoebe Todd hit an impressive 85 pounds apiece.  Stacy hit a record 4th attempt of 110.  Chris Todd edged Greg Cook for the top lift in the men’s division with a 220 pound effort before hitting 240 for a record fourth attempt.   Leroy Todd also hit a successful 70 pounds as a fourth attempt.

Our last lift of the day was the Dinnie Lift.  This lift is named after Donald Dinnie and the lifting stones he supposedly carried.  The top lift in the women’s division was 360 by stacy Todd.  She then went on to take a successful 4th attempt at 400.  Lilly Todd also had a successful fourth attempt with 225.  Chad was again the top lifter with a successful pull at 800 pounds, which is well above what the real Dinnie Stones weigh.  Side note-Chad has successfully lifted the Dinnie Stones on more than one occasion. Lance Foster came in lean and mean, having lost over 60 pounds, and hit a successful 475 on a fourth attempt.

The lifting was fantastic, and many records were broken.  The following lifters set records in all four disciplines:

Everett Todd

Leroy Todd

Phoebe Todd

Lilly Todd

Stacy Todd

Chris Todd

Dave DeForest

Greg Cook

Official results are as follow:

Old Time Strongman Championship
ET’s House of Iron and Stone
Turney, MO
September 10, 2022

Meet Director: Eric Todd

Meet Announcer: Eric Todd

Score Keeper: Chris Todd

Maker of barbeque: Stacey Todd

The One Official system was used for all lifts

Official: Eric Todd

Loaders: Eric Todd and all lifters

All lifts are recorded in pounds, as is the total. Adj is the adjusted score after Lynch and Age adjustment.  All records are denoted with an asterisk *

Lifts: Thor’s hammer, Lurich Lift, Anderson Press, and Dinnie Lift

Results are as follows:

Name	age	age division	weight	weight class	Thor’s hammer	Lurich Lift	Anderson Press	Dinnie Lift	Total	Adj	Place
Women’s Division
Phoebe Todd	12	13	121	55	10*	225*	85*	245*	565	934	1
Stacy Todd	39	Open	179	85	20*	360*	105*	360*	825	786	2
Lillian Todd	13	13	134	65	10*	200*	85*	210*	505	727	3
Men’s Division
Chad Ullum	50	50	221	105	30	610*	95*	800*	1535	1441	1
Greg Cook	65	65	244	115	52.5*	495*	200*	550*	1297.5	1313	2
Dave DeForest	62	60	192	90	27.5*	430*	160*	400*	1017.5	1144	3
Everett Todd	9	13	82	40	7.5*	190*	60*	175*	432.5	1033	4
Leroy Todd	11	13	89	45	7.5*	165*	65*	200*	437.5	955	5
Chris Todd	43	40	273	125	35*	340*	220*	600*	1195	944	6
Lance Foster	56	55	275	125	30*	0	85*	400*	515	456	7

With her third overall win, Phoebe Todd ties Heather Gardner/Tully as the winningest female in these championships.  With his third win, Chad Ullom steps out all by himself as the winningest male in these championships.

By Bill Clark

August 20-21, 2022.  Clark’s Gym, Columbia, Mo.

The entries – and their data. (All are from Clark’s Gym but may live elsewhere. All  entries are eligible for records except Lucas Hardie.)

Janet Thompson, 64 – 160 bwt. (75 kilo class)

Nick Frieders, 21 – 155 bwt. (75 kilo class)

Travis Luther, 29 – 172 Bwt. (80 kilo class)

Lucas Hardie, 38 – 196 Bwt. (90 kilo class) – From Nova Scotia via email. Not eligible for records.

Abe Smith, 40 – 184 Bwt. (85 kilo class) Raymore, Mo.

Tony Lupo, 56 – 237 Bwt. (110 kilo class)

Dave DeForest, 62 – 187 Bwt. (85 kilo class)

Randy Smith, 67 – 197.5  Bwt. (90 kilo class) Marquette, Michigan.

Joe Garcia, 69 – 191 Bwt. (90 kilo class) DeWitt, Iowa.

Joe Caron, 76 – 184.5 Bwt. (85 kilo class) Iola, Kansas

Bill Clark, 90 – 205 Bwt. (95 kilo class)

THE BIRTHDAY CHALLENGE – 11 EVENTS, EACH DECIDED SEPARATELY

The Event, the lifter, the actual weight lifted (denoted in Bold) and the value of the lift decided by bwt. and age adjustment. Records denoted with an asterisk (*)

HARNESS LIFT

1 – Travis Luther – 1,500 (1458.45)

2 – Randy Smith – 1,205* (1396.25)

3 – Dave DeForest – 1,205* (1376.17)

4 – Nick Frieders – 1,305 (1359.02)

5 – Abe Smith – 1,405 (1,282.39)

6 – Bill Clark – 800* (1242.98)

7 – Tony Lupo – 1,305 (1242.48)

W – 1- Janet Thompson – 565* (715.29)

DEAD LIFT – HEELS TOGETHER

1 – Nick Frieders – 440 (458.35)

2 – Dave DeForest – 370* (422.55)

3 – Randy Smith – 350* (405.77)

4 – Abe Smith – 440* (402.03)

5 – Tony Lupo – 365 (347.44)

6 – Travis Luther – 350 (340.31)

ZERCHER LIFT

1 – Randy Smith – 335* (388.37)

2 – Nick Frieders – 335 (339.92)

3 – Lucas Hardie – 375 (339.15)

4 – Abe Smith – 355* (324.77)

5 – Dave DeForest – 265* (302.64)

6 – Joe Caron – 155 (212.77)

7 – Tony Lupo – 135 (139.50)

DEADLIFT – ONE HAND (RIGHT)

1 – Nick Frieders – 320 (333.34)

2 – Randy Smith – –280 (324.61)

3 – Lucas Hardie – 309 (303.20)

4 – Abe Smith – 355* (292.70)

5 – Joe Caron – 155 (224.97)

6 – Bill  Clark – 135* (205.24)

7 – Dave DeForest – 185 (204.50)

8 – Tony Lupo – 185 (176.11)

DEADLIFT – ONE HAND (LEFT)

1 – Nick Frieders – 320 (333.34)

2 – Lucas Hardie – 331 (324.84)

3 – Randy Smith – 280* (324.61)

4 – Abe Smith – 320 (292.70)

5 – Dave DeForest – 227* (259.25)

6 – Joe Caron – 175 (234.77)

7 – Bill Clark – 135* (205.12)

8 – Tony Lupo – 185  (176.11)

HIP LIFT

1 – Abe Smith – 1,610* (1472.91)

2 – Travis Luther – 1,500 (1458.45)

3 – Joe Garcia – 1,200* (1422.09)

4 – Nick Frieders – 1,200 (1258.04)

5 – Randy Smith – 1,110* (1206.85)

6 – Tony Lupo – 905 (861.48)

NECK LIFT

1 =- Randy Smith – 335* (370.35)

2 – Abe Smith – 400* (365.94)

3 – Nick Frieders – 245 (255.22)

4 – Tony Lupo – 245 (233.22)

MILLER CLEAN AND JERK

1 – Randy Smith – 85* (123.37)

2 – Abe Smith – 125* (114.10)

3 – Nick Frieders – 85* (86.25)

4 – Travis Luther – 65 (63.22)

5 – Tony Lupo – 65 (61.87)

STEINBORN LIFT

1 – Lucas Hardie – 310 (280.56)

2 – Abe Smith – 275* (251.59)

3 – Randy Smith – 215* (249.25)

4 – Dave DeForest – 185 (209.27)

5 – Nick Frieders – 185 (188.22)

6 – Tony Lupo – 185 (175.11)

HAND AND THIGH LIFT

1 – Abe Smith – 1.005 (919.43)

2 – Dave DeForest – 800* (891.36)

3 – Nick Frieders – 800 (833.36)

4 – Randy Smith – 550 (630.89)

5 – Joe Caron – 365 (493.64)

6 – Tony Lupo – 315 (324.09)

RAMPAGE

This is not a USAWA lift. The results here do count in the final summary of the Birthday Meet. There are no USAWA records for this competition.

The lifter chooses his own weight and then must clean the weight and do repetition presses with the barbell for a period of one minute. The total poundage, not the number of reps, are the deciding factor. The bar must be returned to the chest prior to each rep. No pause is necessary.

1 – Abe Smith – 38 reps with 76 pounds – 2,888 (2618.56)

2 – Randy Smith – 24 reps with 65 pounds – 1,560 (1817.53)

3 – Tony Lupo – 34 reps with 65 pounds – 2,210 (1798.63)

4 – Nick Frieders – 24 reps with 56 pounds – 1,344 (1363.76)

JOHN GRIMEK-TONY COOK AWARD

1 – Abe Smith – 8336.10 points (all 11 events)

2 – Randy Smith – 7237.70 points (11 events)

3 – Nick Frieders – 6809.22 points (11 events)

4 – Tony Lupo – 5535.08 points (11 events)

They were the only four to compete in every event.

INDIVIDUAL LIFT WINNERS:

Abe Smith – 3; Randy Smith -3; Nick Frieders – 3; Travis Luther – 1; Lucas Hardie – 1.

WEIGH-INS WERE HELD  BOTH DAYS. NO CHANGES AFTER SECOND DAY WEIGH-INS

SUCCESSFUL RECORD ATTEMPTS OUTSIDE THE COMPETITION

Joe Caron – 76  Bwt. 178

Deadlift – vertical bar – 2 inch – right hand – 107.5.

Deadlift – vertical bar – 2-inch – left hand – 132.5.

Randy Smith – 67  Bwt. 198

Deadlift – vertical bar – 2-inch  – right – 152.5

Deadlift – vertical bar – 2-inch – left – 152.5

Deadlift – 2-inch barbell – right – 125.

Deadlift – 2-inch barbell – left – 125.

Thor’s Hammer – 42.5.

Abe Smith – 40   Bwt. 185

Deadlift – vertical bar – 2-inch – right – 182.5.

Deadlift – vertical bar – 2-inch – left – 182.5

Dumbbells – clean and push press – 2 x 100.

Clean and press – behind neck – 180.

Clean and press – behind neck – seated – 175.

Janet Thompson – 64  Bwt. 160.

Habecker Lift – 125

Lurich Lift – 145

Peoples’ Deadlift – 200.

Kennedy Lift – 200

Deadlift – Dumbbell – left – 85.

OFFICIALS FOR BOTH DAYS – A THREE-OFFICIAL  MEET

Eric Todd, Bill Clark, Joe Garcia, Abe Smith, Randy Smith, Dave DeForest and Tony Lupo (doing his training prior to certification).

AWARDS PRESENTED BY USAWA SECRETARY, ERIC TODD

Lifter of the Year – Abe Smith.

Courage Award Runner-up – Joe Garcia.

Club of the Year – Clark’s Gym.

NOTES:

# In addition to all the lifting in this part of the weekend, Thompson, DeForest, both Smith’s, Lupo and Frieders lifted in the IAWA postal; three logged their USAWA third quarter postal. It was a busy weekend for sure.

# All the competitors for the weekend plus at least four other local gym members were on hand for the party on Saturday night where they were entertained by a Dixieland Band, and shared a buffet of pulled pork, scalloped potatoes and baked beans and dined with half a dozen retired lifters from around the Midwest. Joe Caron even came dressed in a coat and tie. It was fun meeting with the guys from the past and some still lifting – Dave Hahn, Ken McClain, Wayne Gardner, Ron Sisk and James Foster. Tom Powell was unable to attend, but he helped cover the baked beans. Much appreciated.

The lifters shared the evening with many of Ol’ Clark’s friends from the music and theater world, a number of politicians, birders, etc., even a college president (Stephens College), along with international concert pianists and circuit court judges.

It was a treat for Randy Smith to take the better part of a week off to drive down from Marquette on the shore of Lake Superior on top of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to do head-to-head battle with Abe Smith (no relation) and spend the weekend in the dungy dungeon that is infamous as Clark’s Gym.

Joe Garcia, who suffered a tough three months with covid-19, has made excellent recovery considering the seriousness of his covid attack. He and Cindy came for the birthday dinner from the Garcia home in Iowa, then dropped by the gym the next day and made his first competitive lift in three years – a 1,200-lb, hip lift. He was thrilled. And so were we all. The hand-thigh lift in the competition was dedicated to Joe – who still holds the world mark 1,910 pounds

The 2022 Presidential Cup had a small turnout again this year, with 5 lifters setting 16 new records. Beth Skwarecki became the first repeat winner of the Presidential Cup with her 396 Lb. [180 Kg.] Kennedy Lift. All the lifters had a great time and were treated to some delicious food by Judy when the lifting was done.

The results:

Beth Skwarecki – 41 – 147 Lbs. -70 Kg. class- [40-44]

Kennedy Lift        – 190 Kg. – 419 Lbs.

Snatch – Fulton Bar – 40 Kg. – 88 Lbs.

Snatch from Hang –  53 Kg.  – 116 Lbs.

Vertical Bar Deadlift – 1 Bar – 1″- Right Hand – 67 Kg. – 147 Lbs.

Vertical Bar Deadlift – 1 Bar – 1″ – Left Hand  – 67 Kg. – 147 Lbs

Barry Pensyl  – 74 – 140 Lbs. – 65 Kg. Class – [70-74 ]

Lateral Raise – Lying –                    24.5 Kg. – 54 Lbs.

Abdominal Raise                       –  18.1 Kg.  – 40 Lbs.

Cheat Curl                                  – 42.5 Kg.  – 94 Lbs.

Ciavattone Deadlift – Right Hand –  57.5 Kg. – 127 Lbs.

Denny Habecker – 79 – 185 Lbs. – 85 Kg. Class [ 75-79 ]

Vertical Bar Deadlift – 1 Bar – 1″- Left Hand –  42 Kg.  – 93 Lbs.

Clean & Press – 12″ Base-                          – 45 Kg.  – 99 Lbs.

Continental Snatch                                 – 38.5 Kg. – 85 Lbs.

Aidan Habecker – 19 – 190 Lbs. – 90 Kg. Class [ 18-19 ]

Vertical Bar Deadlift – 1 Bar- 2″ -Right Hand – 97.5 Kg. – 215 Lbs.

Squat – 12″ Base                                       100 Kg.   – 220 Lbs.

Daphne Lansdown  – 6 – 48 Lbs. – 30 Kg. – [13 + U }

Vertical Bar Deadlift – 1 Bar -1″ -Right – 12.7 Kg. – 28 Lbs.

Officials – Denny Habecker, Barry Pensyl

Beth Skwarecki – Official in training

 

 

We had very good participation again in this year’s Second Quarter Postal, with 24 men and 7 women competing. Abe Smith topped the men this time with  Beth Skwarecki leading the women.

2nd Quarter Postal – April 1 thru June 30.

Records are marked with an *

Lifters marked with a # sign are Canadian, thus not eligible for USAWA records a

The Lifts – Crucifix, Curl, Strict, Deadlift, No Thumbs

MEN’S DIVISION :

Abe Smith             – 40   – 185 Lbs. – 90 Lbs* – 115 Lbs*  – 470 Lbs*   – 675 Lbs. – 637.09

#Lucas Hardie         – 38    – 198 Lbs. -90 Lbs    -100 Lbs    – 475 Lbs    -665 Lbs   -596.90

Nicholas Frieders   – 21   – 153 Lbs. – 60 Lbs.  – 95  Lbs.  – 405 Lbs*   – 560 Lbs.   – 588.56

John Carter           – 63   – 216 Lbs. – 60 Lbs.  – 90 Lbs*   – 400 Lbs*   – 550 Lbs   – 584.40

Randy Smith         – 67   – 199 Lbs. – 57 Lbs.  – 95 Lbs.  – 355.5 Lbs.  -507.5 Lbs. – 582.30

Dave DeForest      – 62   – 187 Lbs. – 50 Lbs*  – 90 Lbs*   – 350 Lbs*  – 490 Lbs.   – 559.72

Talon McPhee       – 29    – 207 Lbs  – 80 Lbs   -111 Lbs    – 440 Lbs    -631 Lbs     – 552.82

Dave Hahn           – 85   – 142 Lbs. – 20 Lbs.  – 60 Lbs.   – 210 Lbs.    – 290 Lbs.   – 532.09

Eric Todd             – 47   – 267 Lbs. – 130 Lbs* – 135 Lbs* – 375 Lbs*  – 640 Lbs.   – 530.77

Barry Pensyl        – 74   – 141 Lbs. – 38 Lbs.*  – 57 Lbs.*  – 231 Lbs.* – 326 Lbs.  – 521.68

Al Myers             – 55   – 228 Lbs.  – 50 Lbs.* – 110 Lbs.* – 375 Lbs.* – 535 Lbs.  – 516.46

#John Gordon       – 28   – 187 Lbs   – 70 Lbs    – 96 Lbs      – 385 Lbs    -551 Lbs  – 511.00

LaVerne Myers    – 78   – 220 Lbs.  – 30 Lbs.   – 90 Lbs.*   – 265 Lbs.* – 385 Lbs.  – 496.30

Denny Habecker – 79   – 187 Lbs.  – 40 Lbs*   – 66 Lbs.*   – 231 Lbs.  – 337 Lbs.   – 481.97

Tony Lupo          – 56   – 237 Lbs.  – 40 Lbs.   – 90 Lbs*   – 350 Lbs*   – 480 Lbs.   – 457.98

Wade Marchand – 52   – 161 Lbs.  – 66 Lbs*  –  88 Lbs*   –  242 Lbs*   – 396 Lbs.  – 455.17

Chad Ullom       – 50   – 235 Lbs.  – 20 Lbs.   – 85 Lbs.    – 385 Lbs.    – 490 Lbs.   – 445.51

Jarod Fobes      – 45   – 209 Lbs.  – 72 Lbs.   – 95 Lbs.    – 300 Lbs.    – 467 Lbs.    – 431.65

Sanjiv Gupta    – 51   – 194 Lbs.  –  40 Lbs.  – 87 Lbs.    – 283 Lbs     – 410 Lbs.    – 417.45

Chris Todd       – 42   – 274 Lbs.   – 80 Lbs.  – 105 Lbs*  – 335 Lbs.    – 520 Lbs.  –   406.25

Everett Todd    – 9     – 76 Lbs.    – 16 Lbs*  – 22.5 Lbs* – 100 Lbs*   – 138.5 Lbs. – 362.60

Leroy Todd     – 11    – 87 Lbs.    – 16 Lbs*   – 25 Lbs*   – 110 Lbs*   – 151 Lbs.    – 338.32

Lance Foster  – 56    – 295 Lbs.  – 40 Lbs*   – 80 Lbs*   – 250 Lbs.    – 370 Lbs.    – 316.75

Bill Clark       – 89    – 205 Lbs.  – 10 Lbs*    – 22 Lbs*   – 150 Lbs*   – 182 Lbs.     – 276.03

Guest Lifter from Canada

Doug Sullivan- 64      176 Lbs   – 70 Lbs     -106 Lbs     – 440 Lbs      – 616 Lbs      740.12

WOMEN’S DIVISION:

Beth Skwarecki   – 41 – 142 Lbs.  – 32 Lbs. – 75 Lbs.    – 298Lbs.      – 405 Lbs      – 456.10

R.J. Jackson       – 60  – 105 Lbs. – 34 Lbs. – 57 Lbs.    – 190 Lbs.     – 281 Lbs.     – 393.48

Kim Van Wagner  – 55 – 134 Lbs. – 40 Lbs. – 55 Lbs.    – 185 Lbs.     – 280 Lbs.     – 374.36

Phoebe Todd       – 11  – 121 Lbs. – 25 Lbs* – 35 Lbs.   – 130 Lbs*    – 190 Lbs.     – 314.56

Stacy Todd         – 39  – 180 Lbs.  – 50 Lbs* – 70 Lbs*  – 200 Lbs*    – 320 Lbs.     – 303.97

Janet Thompson – 64  – 160 Lbs.  – 20 Lbs*  – 45 Lbs*   – 150 Lbs*   – 215 Lbs.    – 274.55

Daphne Lansdown -6  – 46 Lbs.   – 4 Lbs.    – 9.4 Lbs.  – 36 Lbs       – 49.4 Lbs     – 150.09

OFFICIALS:

Everett Todd     – Lance Foster, Chris Todd, Eric Todd

Leroy Todd       – Lance Foster, Chris Todd, Eric Todd

Phoebe Todd    – Lance Foster, Chris Todd, Eric Todd

Stacy Todd      – Lance Foster, Chris Todd, Eric Todd

Eric Todd         – Lance Foster, Chris Todd

Chris Todd      – Lance Foster, Eric Todd

John Carter     – Bill Clark,  Abe Smith

Tony Lupo      – Bill Clark,  Abe Smith

Abe Smith      –  Bill Clark

Nick Frieders  – Bill Clark

Dave DeForest – Bill Clark

Al Myers        – LaVerne Myers

LaVerne Myers – Al Myers

Barry Pensyl   – Denny Habecker

Denny Habecker – Barry Pensyl

Wade Marchand – Frank Ciavattone

Lance Foster – Chris Todd

Bill Clark – Dave DeForest

Janet Thompson – Bill Clark

Lifters without Certified Officials:

Randy Smith, Dave Hahn, Chad Ullom, Jarod Fobes, Sanjiv Gupta, R.J. Jackson

Kim Van Wagner, Beth Skwarecki, Daphne Lansdown, Lucs Hardie, Talon MacPhee, John Gordon