National Championships
By Al Myers
2018 USAWA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
For the first time in USAWA history, the USAWA National’s were held in Florida last weekend. My co-promoter for this event, Dino Gym member Cody Lokken, hosted the Championships at his house in Cocoa Beach! It was a beautiful setting for the meet, less than a block from the beach. I was worried that the turnout would be low, because everyone had to travel and there were no “locals” entered. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the number of lifters that made the trip.
The Friday night before the meet we had a “meet and greet” at the hotel I was staying at. It was the perfect setting – at an outdoor bar poolside. My wife Leslie picked up several pizzas for the party. Several of us took a dip in the pool, as well as enjoying several of the local Florida beers the bar had on stock (a stock that we soon ran them out of!). One of the great things about our organization is the friendships that develop. Often Nationals turns into one big reunion!
It was a special treat this year to have Steve Gardner in attendance. Steve served 2 terms as IAWA President, and is the best “mic guy” in our IAWA organization. He spent the entire day emceeing our Championships, of which I want to really thank him for. We had the best loaders possible with Cale, Cody, and Brandon loading all day PLUS lifting. That’s a big task! We ran only one session so that kept everyone busy with helping, officiating, and lifting. This Championships had a great bunch of officials with Denny Habecker, Dennis Mitchell, Eric Todd, LaVerne Myers, Joe Ciavattone Sr, and myself taking turns in the chair.
Highlights I want to mention: Dennis participating in his 29th National Championships, ET hitting a huge pullover and press of 162.5 KG, Joe Jr. putting up the top Zercher Lift of the meet at the end of a hot day, and seeing “the boys” (Cale, Cody, and Brandon) making a return trip to Nationals. We had several states represented at this meet – Florida, Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Pennsyvania, Ohio, and Massachusetts. Also, Cale made the trip from St. Kitts.
It was difficult for all of us not having Art with us at Nationals, as he has always been a steady participant throughout the years. However, as we lifted we kept Art’s memory alive and we reminisced about him several times throughout the day. After the meet, Cody had arranged for the banquet at a fantastic seafood restaurant which was the perfect end for a National Championships that I will never forget.
MEET RESULTS:
2018 USAWA National Championships
Cocoa Beach, Florida
June 23rd, 2018
Meet Director: Al Myers and Cody Lokken
Meet Announcer: Steve Gardner
Meet Scorekeeper: Al Myers
Meet Photographer: Karen Gardner
Meet Caterer: Leslie Myers
Meet Officials (3-official system used): Denny Habecker (head), Al Myers (head), Joe Ciavattone Sr., Dennis Mitchell, Eric Todd, and LaVerne Myers
Meet Loaders: Cale Dunlap, Cody Lokken, Brandon Rein
Lifts: Curl – Cheat, Snatch – One Arm, Pullover and Press, Deadlift – One Arm, Zercher Lift
MENS DIVISION
LIFTER | AGE | BWT | Curl | Sna1 | P&P | DL1 | Zer | TOT | PTS |
Al Myers | 51 | 227 | 80 | 55.5R | 100 | 150R | 160 | 546 | 509.5 |
Eric Todd | 43 | 252 | 95 | 55R | 162.5 | 140R | 160 | 613 | 503.2 |
Joe Ciavattone Jr. | 25 | 226 | 100 | 55R | 137.5 | 115R | 172.5 | 580 | 484.7 |
Joe Ciavattone Sr. | 49 | 236 | 82.5 | 47.5R | 92.5 | 115R | 140 | 478 | 429.2 |
Denny Habecker | 75 | 186 | 50 | 25R | 80 | 101R | 80 | 336 | 425.5 |
Cody Lokken | 23 | 167 | 70 | 35R | 90 | 85R | 100 | 380 | 377.5 |
LaVerne Myers | 74 | 238 | 55 | 30L | 60 | 100R | 80 | 325 | 356.9 |
Brandon Rein | 23 | 148 | 45 | 25R | 60 | 80R | 100 | 310 | 333.2 |
Dean Ross | 75 | 248 | 40 | 27.5R | 70 | 65R | 90 | 293 | 316.9 |
Cale Dunlap | 23 | 177 | 50 | 25R | 60 | 65R | 90 | 290 | 278.5 |
Dennis Mitchell | 86 | 143 | 27.5 | 7.5L | 23.5 | 50L | 55 | 164 | 264.5 |
EXTRA ATTEMPTS FOR RECORDS:
Dennis Mitchell: Deadlift – Left Arm 52.5
Dennis Mitchell: Zercher Lift 57.5
Notes: BWT is bodyweight in pounds. R and L designate right and left arms. Lifts recorded in kilograms. TOT is total kilograms lifted. PTS are overall adjusted points corrected for age and bodyweight.
BEST LIFTER AWARDS:
Senior 20-39 Age Group: Joe Ciavattone Jr.
Masters 40-44 Age Group: Eric Todd
Masters 45-49 Age Group: Joe Ciavattone Sr.
Masters 50-54 Age Group: Al Myers
Masters 70-74 Age Group: LaVerne Myers
Masters 75-79 Age Group: Denny Habecker
Masters 85-89 Age Group: Dennis Mitchell
Overall Best Lifter: Al Myers
Best Club Award: Dino Gym (Al Myers, LaVerne Myers, Cale Dunlap, Brandon Rein, Cody Lokken, Dean Ross)
Club Runner Up: Frank’s Barbell Club (Joe Ciavattone Jr., Joe Ciavattone Sr.)