John’s B-day Record Day
by John McKean
Nature threw us one of its usual December curves with snow squalls on Saturday, which kept some away, but Sunday was sunny and clear, though cold! Art & I arrived early and weren’t sure if anyone would show up when the gym was still empty at 8:30, but we had a surprise official turn up for a workout – young Bill DiCioccio, veteran of most USAWA meets during the 90s. Then Big Ernie Beath, now at 400 pounds, “crowded” the gym all by himself! He and his mom & dad had driven their van up the previous day to slowly traverse any weather problems; traveling slow through the mountain areas, his dad said the drive from Maryland took almost 11 hours (normally 5). Then Scott & Cathy Schmidt bounced in from Cleveland – didn’t even see white stuff on the way over! Denny Habecker had given us frantic phone calls the evening before as he was almost snowed under in Lebanon, but made the drive on Sunday in record time!
Big Ernie was anxious to start and began as everyone else was just getting settled in. The drive & weather set him back just a bit, as he could “only” manage a rack jerk of 406 pounds!! He tried 426 three times, but had trouble holding the lockout!! Well, he may have been tired, but that lifting sure woke the rest of us up!! Ernie also did an EASY rack push press of 386. and a dumbbell side press of 154 that looked more like a strict stance DB press!! Denny, Art, and Kohl Hess, a promising new teen who Denny brought over, did the postal meet qualifying lifts under official judging, and set a few records while doing so! Of course ole Art ,just had to throw in a few extra lifts for records, as did the always smiling Scott Schmidt (probably smiling because his rolling barbell after the set down almost nailed me twice!). Even this old man, though not quite my birthday yet ( on the 15th I turn 64; all gifts freely accepted!!!), managed to lose the “return from retirement” rust to post a few new marks!
We managed to get done at about 12:30, so it turned out to be a very efficient session. Everyone was so enthused about the ” BIG WORKOUT” at the club, that Art & I have agreed to conduct several more throughout the calendar year. Heck, the gym is fairly vacant on Sundays, and it doesn’t cost us anything !! Besides EVERYONE does their best lifting with the shared adrenaline flowing through the air (or is that smell just our gym mold, some of which is almost older than Art??!!), and our new record certificates are already a hit! See ya all there at upcoming meets!
FOR FULL MEET RESULTS:
John’s Birthday Record Day
(and National Postal Meet Qualifier)
Ambridge VFW Barbell Club, Ambridge, PA
December 6, 2009
All lifts listed in pounds except as noted
IAWA International Officials: (3 judges on all lifts)
Art Montini, Denny Habecker, Scott Schmidt, John McKean
Results:
John McKean – 174.5 lbs., 63 years old, 60+ 80K Class
Ciavattone Deadlift 335
One-Arm Hack (L) 175
One-Arm Hack (R) 215
One-DB DL (R) 225
Hack Lift – 2″ Bar 275
Art Montini – 181 lbs, 82 years old, 80+ 85 K Class
Clean and Press – 2″ Bar 65
2 Hands Anyhow DB/BB 60
Clean & Push Press 80
Zercher 158
Ciavattone DL 200
Denny Habecker – 200 lbs, 67 years old, 65+ 95 K Class
Clean & Push Press 148
Zercher 215
Ciavattone DL 290
Scott Schmidt – 262 lbs., 57 years old, 55+ 120 K Class
Clean & Seated Press-Behind Neck 75K
Clean & Seated Press 80K
Vertical Bar DL – 1 bar, 1″, (L) 92.5K
2 Hand (1 bar) 1″ Vertical Bar Deadlift 150K
Kohl Hess – 264 lbs., 15 years old, Jr. 14-15 120 K Class
Clean & Push Press 130
Zercher 215
Ciavattone DL 290
Ernie Beath – 400 lbs., 28 years old, Open 125+ Class
Jerk From Rack 406
Push Press From Rack 386
Overhead Squat (Arms Ext) 251
RH Side Press DB 154
LH Side Press DB 134
Alternate Grip Clean & Press 225
Reverse Grip Clean & Press 225