Athlete of the Year

By Eric Todd

Abe Smith awarded Athlete of the Year

Abe Smith awarded Athlete of the Year

 

Athlete of the year is described as follows 

This award is for the individual who has accomplished the most athletically within the last year in the USAWA. Top placings at the Nationals and World Championships should figure in high. Also, participation in other Championship Competitions such as the Heavy Lift Championships, the Grip Championships, the Club Championships, the OTSM Championships, the Team Championships, or the National Postal Championships could factor in.  Participation in elite IAWA events such as the Gold Cup should make an influence on earning this award as well.

For the second year in a row, this accolade goes to Abe Smith.  I have known Abe for around 20 years, and have been beaten in competitions by Abe for about 20 years.  Any of you that know Abe know that he is in contention to win just about any meet he enters.  Since nationals last year, Abe won the second quarter postal.  He was fourth by formula in the Clark’s Gym vs frank’s Barbell Club postal challenge.  He completed all the lifts at the Clark’s Birthday weekend meet, and won three events outright. He was overall best lifter in the 2022 Andy Goddard World Postal and was second in the National Postal Championship.  Abe won the Zercher Strength classic, and was fourth in the first quarter postal.  Abe is always a tough competitor, and is very deserving of this recognition.  Congrats, Abe!

Athlete of the Year: Runner-up

By Eric Todd

Beth Swarecki wins runner-up honors in athlete of the Year category

Beth Swarecki wins runner-up honors in athlete of the Year category

Athlete of the year is described as follows:

This award is for the individual who has accomplished the most athletically within the last year in the USAWA. Top placings at the Nationals and World Championships should figure in high. Also, participation in other Championship Competitions such as the Heavy Lift Championships, the Grip Championships, the Club Championships, the OTSM Championships, the Team Championships, or the National Postal Championships could factor in.  Participation in elite IAWA events such as the Gold Cup should make an influence on earning this award as well.

Our runner-up in this category is Beth Skwarecki.  This is her third time finishing second in this category.  Beth was women’s champion and overall Grand champion at nationals last year.  She won the second quarter postal, and won her second Presidential Cup.  Beth was the overall winner in the women’s division of the 2022 postal championship, and then again in the first quarter postal 2023. She recently won the Hackendinnie Classic, outscoring all the other lifters, and putting up the best Dinnie Lift ever of a woman in our organization.  Beth has achieved level one status as an official.  as you can see, Beth has been very busy in our organization, and is rarely bested in competition.  Her master of the lifts and her technique is second to none.  Beth is very deserving to be recognized for this award.
Congrats, Beth!

Nationals 2002

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.  The first one that I am posting here is from 2008.  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.  Enjoy a little piece of history:

By Bill Clark (From “US All-Round Weightlifting Association Strength Journal”, Vol. XIII, No. 3, July 10, 2002. Columbia MO. Print.)

2002 Nationals

Sportsmanship Award

By Eric Todd

As you can see, this is not the first time Lance has won this award.

As you can see, this is not the first time Lance has won this award.

The Sportsmanship award reads as follows:

This goes to an individual who possesses and shows great sportsmanship within the USAWA. The act of sportsmanship may be by conduct at all events, or by a specific example of exceptional sportsmanship.

This year, the award goes to Lance Foster.  This probably comes as no surprise, as this is Lance’s fourth win in a row in this category.  Lance competes often and is a stalwart of the KCSTRONGMAN club.  He is quick with a joke and a kind word.  If he hears you need something, Lance will go out of his way to see that you get it.  If you see a newby at a meet, you can bet that Lance will be by their side helping them with pointers and fine tuning to help them be successful, even if they are competing against him.  It is going to take a pretty special member to dethrone the king of this category.  Congratulations Lance!  Well deserved!!

 

Sportsmanship Award: Runner-Up

By Eric Todd

 

Dave DeForest accepting his sportsmanship award

Dave DeForest accepting his sportsmanship award

The sportsmanship award is described as follows:

 This goes to an individual who possesses and shows great sportsmanship within the USAWA. The act of sportsmanship may be by conduct at all events, or by a specific example of exceptional sportsmanship.

This year’s runner-up in this category goes to Dave DeForest.  Dave has competed regularly in the USAWA.  He is a stalwart at the Clark’s Gym meets and has traveled to many competitions as well.  He has been to my place on more than one occasion, and has traveled out of state multiple times, including to national and world meets. Dave is a fierce competitor, buy is always the consummate sportsman. He always leaves all he has on the platform, but win, lose or draw, he maintains a cheerful demeanor.  He is a pleasure to visit with, and is always ready to lend a helping hand when it is needed.  Congratulations, Dave!  Well deserved!

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