Frank Ciavattone-Hall of Fame Juggernaut

By Eric Todd

I was absolutely blessed and privileged to be asked to vouch for Frank when it came to his National Wrestling Hall of Fame nomination and ultimate induction. I am a wrestler at heart. That was my first love and my greatest. My boy Everett is now invested. Nothing I have done has prepared me for life like wrestling. So, I understand what this accolade means. There is no sport that compares in regard to the sacrifice. And Frank has sacrificed indeed.

Frank has been inducted into the Massachusetts chapter of the National Wrestling Hall Of Fame under the designation of “Medal of Courage”. This is the third Hall of Fame that I am aware of that Frank has been inducted to, but there may be more. He was inducted into the USAWA Hall of Fame in 1996 (bio found here: Frank’s HOF Bio). He was also inducted into the Massachusetts Interscholastic Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame back in 2015. Please see below for Frank’s induction writeup from the “National Wrestling Hall of Fame Massachusetts Chapter 2023 Induction Ceremony & Honors Banuet” booklet. Congrats Frank. An accolade that is well deserved!

Frank-1Download
Frank-2Download

Nationals 2004

We are working on getting national results from before we had a website recorded on the website in an effort to preserve a more complete history.  This one that I am posting here is from 1998.  They are all transcribed from the “Strength Journal” by Bill Clark.  This was an idea of Frank Ciavattone’s and was presented at the national meeting in 2022.  Enjoy a little piece of history:

By Bill Clark (From “US All-Round Weightlifting Association Strength Journal”, Vol. XV, No. 5, July

  1. Columbia MO. Print.)
2004-NatlDownload

Schmidt’s Backbreaker Pentathlon

By Bill Clark

A pair of veterans dominated the Umpteenth (25th/30th?) Steve Schmidt Backbreaker Pentathlon, joined

by a pair of new folks in the upper level of the chain and back lifters.

RJ Jackson checked in from Corpus Christy, Texas, to win the women’s division and John Carter, now in

the 65-69 age group, took the men’s title.

Jackson, 61, was the only entry from outside Clark’s Gym and she did her lifts on some unique

“equipment” that got the job done but must have cost her many pounds in the process. Unfortunately,

she was the only one of the seven entries whose lifts were not judged – proof once again that the

USAWA must approve both video entries – and the much-needed quick approval of new officials.

The lack of remote entries was disheartening but not discouraging. The upcoming Zercher Strength

Classic (January 27-28) will be offered hybrid, which means you can lift anywhere in the world and set

records with proper registration and with approved USAWA officials – and even without officials,

you can be the champion – on your own honesty and good looks.

Plus – if you have officials, each sanctioned meet, in person or hybrid, allows you to break up to five

USAWA records.

And – Clark’s Gym never charges an entry fee.

What’s not to like about that arrangement?

One of the highlights of the day was the emergence of 48-year-old Jeff Wenzel. His first contact with the

USAWA was as a loader/spotter for the 2022 Bench Press Decathlon. In 2023, he finished third in the

meet and slowly has become interested in many other challenges. Now he’s joined by his 16-year-old

son, Spencer, a high school junior. Remember that name.

Results are as follows:

Schmidt-1Download
Book3-1Download

Bench Press Heptathlon

By Bill Clark

SATURDAY, APRIL 6, 2024

CLARK’S GYM, COLUMBIA, MISSOURI

WEIGH-INS: 8-9 A.M.

THE LIFTS:  Regular bench press; bench press feet in air; left-arm bench press; right arm bench press; reverse grip bench press; alternate grip bench press; hands-together bench press.

Special Awards: Roman Chair bench press; rampage.

ENTRY DEADLINE – April 2, 2024. E-mail – yeoldclark@gmail.com or by phone at 573-474-4510.

ENTRY FEE:  None.

USAWA MEMBERSHIP REQUIRED: Registration available at meet site.

AWARDS:  Unframed certificates including special events

RECORD SESSION – Will follow the decathlon competition.

Hybrid: you may lift in the competition in your own gym and your lifts will be included in the final standings and eligible for certificates. Records may be set if you are designate a certified official. We assume you will be honest concerning your bodyweight and your correct lifts. Video is appreciated if you lift remotely, but not required.

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