Steve Angell – Master of the Dinnie Stones

by Al Myers

Steve Angell lifted the Dinnie Stones for 20 repetitions in one day.

Steve Angell, of  Milton Keynes England,  made history on the last weekend of June (June 26th) when he lifted the Dinnie Stones for 20 repetitions in one day.  This is the MOST repetitions EVER PERFORMED with the Dinnie Stones in one day.  Steve has been training for this day for a few months, and had hoped to do 40 reps to mark his 40th birthday this year.  He had the back strength to lift the stones that many times, but his hands couldn’t take the abuse and became torn and started bleeding.  Afterall, he was lifting the stones UNASSISTED, which means he wasn’t using straps, gloves, or any other assistance device which would make them easier to lift.  He relied on the good ole-fashioned HOOK GRIP that helped make Steve superb in the All-Rounds with the One Arm Deadlift.

The Dinnie Stones of Scotland were made famous when Donnie Dinnie picked both of them up at the same time around 1860, and carried them across the Potarch Bridge over the River Dee.   Together they weigh 734 pounds with one stone heavier than the other.  Each stone has a ring handle attached to it. It is said they were used as anchors in the construction of the bridge, and where just “left there” because they were too heavy for anyone to carry away!

Steve is not a newcomer to the Dinnie Stones – he has already been successful with lifting them unassisted in 2001 and 2006. Both of those times he just showed up and lifted them, without any specific training ahead of time.  However, this time Steve spent some time preparing, and obviously it paid off.  He had a couple of setbacks in his training which he had to overcome.  When I asked him about these setbacks, this is what he said, “Keeping my hands healthy was my main concern, as I knew they would tear up on the day.  I had one callous tear about 8 weeks out that healed ok, and I nearly put the whole thing in jeopardy when I put a screwdriver into my hand whilst working around the house.  Apart from a slight infection, fortunately, it did not affect things too much.”

Steve and his "brothers in pain", who also got to enjoy the experience of lifting the Dinnie Stones. Pictured left to right: Stan Pike, Barry Gibson, and Steve Angell

What’s NEXT for the All-Round Weightlifting Legend from England??  It seems Steve Angell has accomplished so much, what more can he do?  Well, I had to ask him this question, and this is what Steve had to say, “As for what’s next? For this year, it’s to drop 30 pounds and work on my conditioning and Tai Chi.   My body can only cope with one big event a year now, as I have beat myself up a bit too much over the years on the All-Round lifts.  Not too sure what my big goal for next year will be.  Maybe to press the Inver Stone!”.

I have full confidence that Steve will accomplish anything he sets his mind to. Steve is very much against drug use amongst strength athletes, and doesn’t mind voicing his feelings on this issue, even if it offends someone.  I really admire him for that.  He is the perfect role model for an up and coming All-Rounder.  Steve is living proof that you can be strong and accomplish your goals, all without the use of steroids.  He makes me proud to be an All-Rounder!!

The Box Squat

by Chad Ullom

Scottish Highland Game Champion Dave Brown utilizes box squatting in his training.

My training partner Scott Campbell & I have been using a box for many years to squat off of.   Al recommended box squats to me and they have worked out great for us!   I remember using a box in high school with the Bigger Faster Stronger program, but it was only used as an above parallel  box.   The box we use can be set to a 12, 14 or 16 inch height.  The 12 inch height is about 2 inches below parallel, 14 is at parallel and 16 is about 2 inches above.  I like the variety the box offers, helping with range of motion for deep squats on the 12 inch side while allowing you to feel more weight on your back when you use the 16 inch side.  It also takes out the guess work on depth!  I know I would finish high at times when the weight was heavy or if I was fatigued, but you can’t cheat if your butt doesn’t hit that box.  You have to make sure it’s far enough back that your hamstrings don’t make contact first and it’s just a touch and go.  Don’t drop real fast and crash down on the box.  It’s just there to let you know when you hit the depth you’re looking for.

USAWA Award Winners for 2009

by Al Myers

Courage Award Winners Frank Ciavattone (left) and Dale Friesz (right).

One of the exciting things that has been developed in the USAWA this past year is the development of the USAWA Awards Program.  Included in the new USAWA bylaws is the creation of an Award Director for the USAWA, which is important to insure that the Awards Program will continue in the future. I was nominated for this position and upon receiving the membership’s blessing by an unanimous vote, I was appointed the Awards Director.  I feel giving “special awards” on behalf of the USAWA is VERY IMPORTANT and I will do my best to make sure this continues as long as I am in this position.  When someone shows that they are “going beyond what is expected” in the organization – it is only right that the USAWA gives them the credit they deserve.  I also want to make sure that these “special awards”  will continue to be selected by the membership, instead of by me or the Executive Board.  This makes them mean even more to the deserving award recipients – knowing that they were selected for these honorable awards by their peers.  These awards will be given out at the Annual National Meeting, which is always in conjunction with the National Championships. The 2009 Award winners are as follows:

Athlete of the Year Award Winners Chad Ullom (left) and Al Myers (right).

Athlete of the Year – Al Myers

Athlete of the Year Runner Up – Chad Ullom

Leadership Award – Bill Clark

Leadership Award Runner Up – Al Myers

Sportsmanship Award – Denny Habecker

Sportsmanship Award Runner Up – Art Montini

Courage Award – Dale Friesz

Courage Award Runner Up – Frank Ciavattone

Newcomer Award – David Glasgow

Newcomer Award Runner Up – Kohl Hess

Club of the Year – Dino Gym

Club of the Year Runner Up – Ambridge VFW BBC

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2009 SPECIAL AWARD WINNERS!! The USAWA is very proud of you and your accomplishments.

Time to Revisit the Records Race

by Al Myers

Denny Habecker added another USAWA record to the record list with a Clean and Press of 154 pounds at the 2010 USAWA National Championships

It was exactly 1 year ago that I instigated the USAWA Records Race.  Last year at this time it was a “nip and tuck” battle between our “Prez” Denny Habecker and the “Man of Steel” Art Montini.  Denny had the slight lead of 341 records to Art’s 337 records.  While not much has changed one year later, except the two of them have widened their margin from the rest of the pack. As of now (National records included) Denny still has the slightest of leads over Art  365 to 358.  Last December Denny had “stretched” his lead over Art by 11, but the Man of Steel at an age of 82 is relentless as he is still taking the records down at a rapid pace, as demonstrated by his 4 USAWA records he set last weekend at the National Championships.  But Denny is a born leader and not only leads our organization but the record list as well, and has added over 20 USAWA records himself this past year.

The are still 20 members in the “Century Club” – a designation I gave to those lifters that hold over 100 USAWA records. I last ran this listing last December, and no one new has been added to this list.  However, there has been some changes in how the list “sorts out”. I want to point out that this is CURRENT RECORDS held. If you haven’t been competing there is only one direction you will go, and that is down.  This past weekend’s lifting put more numbers in the Record List (which before long will top 10, 000 records).  It is interesting to note that the 20 lifters in the list below hold 40% of the records in the USAWA Records List.  At the 2010 National Championships 52 new USAWA records were set. For a complete listing of the records set at Nationals click on this – 2010NationalMeetRecords.

Current Records Ranking in the USAWA

1.   365  Denny Habecker

2.   358  Art Montini

3.   227  Al Myers

4.   226   John McKean

5.   214   Bill Clark

5.  214   Noi Phumchona

7.   213   Dennis Mitchell

8.    212   Frank Ciavattone

9.    204   Joe Garcia

10. 201   Bob Hirsh

11.  171  Howard Prechtel

12.  142  Dale Friesz

13.  137  Jim Malloy

14.  134  Ed Schock

15.  123  John Monk

16.  118  Mary McConnaughey

17.  115  Scott Schmidt

18.  114  Chris Waterman

19.  110  Joshua Monk

20.  105  John Vernacchio

Scott Schmidt is Inducted into the USAWA Hall of Fame

by Al Myers

Scott Schmidt "relaxing" prior to the 2010 USAWA National Championships.

A highlight this past weekend at the National Championships occurred Saturday after the meet, when the membership was sitting down to the Annual National Meeting.  This highlight was that Scott Schmidt was inducted into the USAWA Hall of Fame.  I feel Scott’s induction was a big step forward for the USAWA, not only because Scott is more than deserving of the most prestigious award the USAWA has to offer, but because Scott’s induction marks the rebirth of the USAWA Hall of Fame program, which has been inactive since 2003. As I have said already, Scott is more than deserving of this Award and HAS  BEEN  for several years. He put in the work and effort to be in the Hall, and it is about time the USAWA gives him the credit he deserves (and earned!).  Scott has won numerous National Championships and quite a few World Championships in his journey to joining the elite club of the USAWA.  He is a holder of over 100 USAWA Records. He has participated in Gold Cups. He has always supported local meets. He is a club founder. He helps out fellow competitors.  Scott epitomizes a Hall of Famer – and is the type of athlete and individual all others should strive to be like. The USAWA will ceremonially induct Scott into the USAWA Hall of Fame at the Gold Cup in November. Congratulations Scott – the USAWA is very proud of you!

Scott Schmidt performing the Hang Snatch at the 2010 USAWA National Championships.

The words below are Scott’s words of appreciation:

Greetings, All

I wanted to send this note of appreciation out to express my sincere thanks to all those in our administration and voting members who granted me the privilege of entry into our USAWA Hall of Fame.

I have been competing in our favorite strength sport of weightlifting for many years. I know when our organization set the standards for Hall of Fame eligibility, it was a target I embraced and aspired to achieve. So, I set out on a mission to build my credibility, one contest at a time. Although we all know the work is hard, the satisfaction over rules the pain involved. Slowly but surely, I stayed on course to produce results. Winning results. Record results. The achievements necessary to get to the top. What a journey! When I came to this years National Championships, I was well trained to hit my numbers I set out to do in each lift. But as we all sat down to have our annual meeting, I was totally unprepared when Al Myers announced I have been elected into our Hall of Fame. At that moment in time, I really did get choked up. Big Ol’ Scotty Boy. Speechless. Now there’s a first! After the news sunk in, I felt a great sense of internal pride. Joining the class of great champions, who I compete with and against. What a feeling! As a motivational summary to those of you who enjoy competing, take my advice:

Set your goals high, and good things will happen. It may take a little time, but when you hit your target, the feeling is fantastic!

Stay Strong,

Scott A. Schmidt

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