Inspiration Photos

by Al Myers

An autographed photo of Steve Stanko, which is displayed in the Dino Gym, courtesy of Dale Friesz.

I have been collecting pictures for a long time – and if you have been to the Dino Gym you have seen my collection covering the gym walls. There are now over 100 photographs lining the walls of the gym! I find that these photos of lifters, some famous and some just lifters that I have great respect for, inspire me to train harder. I can’t really explain why – it’s just that when I look at these pictures during a workout and KNOW the hard work and dedication that each one of these athletes put into working out – it is INSPIRATIONAL to me. It makes me want to workout even harder! Most all of my pictures in the gym have a story behind them. I didn’t just didn’t pick them out random and throw them up on the wall for a little gym decoration!

My favorite photos are the ones that have been autographed. So far, some of my autographed pictures include great lifters such as Wilbur Miller, Norbert Schemansky, Bruce Wilhelm, Joe Dube, Bill Pearl, John Grimek and Terry Todd. I also have autographed pictures of great throwers such as Al Oerter, Al Feuerbach, John Godina, and Brian Oldfield. Among others are great athletes including Vince Young, the “best Highland Games athlete of All-Time” Bill Anderson, Jesse Marunde, and Tom Manno. I probably have some more that I didn’t mention here. I am not the only one that has this fascination with inspirational photos. Thom Van Vleck has more pictures in the JWC Training Hall than he has weightlifting plates (and he has TONS of plates). I have been in Thom’s gym several times and each time I notice a photo that I hadn’t seen before. When I attended the USAWA Club Challenge this spring hosted by the Ambridge VFW Barbell Club, I noticed the many pictures they have lining the staircase as you descended into the dungeon of iron that is known as the Ambridge VFW BBC. By just looking at their photograph display, you are motivated to lift before you even enter the gym!

This is one on the many reasons why I prefer small club gyms over commercial gyms. You very rarely see pictures on the walls of commercial gyms – instead you see promotional posters trying to sell you something. Inspirational photos give a private club gym the “personal touch” that you don’t get in a big commercial gym – and this results in a better workout!

Paul Anderson’s Neck Training

by Dale Friesz

Paul Anderson training the Neck (photo courtesy of Glenda Anderson, Paul Anderson Youth Home, Vidalia, Georgia)

“This is a picture of Paul Anderson doing a Neck Lift with a side to side swinging motion. I find this very interesting. I also have an old VHS video tape that shows him do a Neck Lift with a 360 degree continuous swing.” – Dale Friesz

(Webmaster’s comment – I sure would like to see that tape!!)

What’s your Reward?

by Thom Van Vleck

Thom Van Vleck hoists his reward, a free beer at the Inver Inn in Scotland after hoisting the Inver Stone

We all lift for a variety of reasons. And at some time we’ve probably had someone question our sanity for the things we do! I mean, really, why would a grown man travel half way around the world just to put on a kilt, and lift a 265lb Stone, just to get a free beer? I must mention that there is a tradition that if you lift the Inver Stone, you get a free beer and so far I know of at least 4 USAWA members who have done it. Why would someone travel across the country, or even across the ocean….just to do a Bent press and maybe win a small award of some type.

I should point out that I also competed in the Master World Championships in Highland Games in that trip in Inverness…..but I don’t know if that makes my trip any more sane. All I got for that was a medal and two shot glasses (although, they have come in handy!)

Some people lift, or compete in athletics, because of money. I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with that….I might have done the same thing had I been good enough. Some people do it for the personal challenge and could care less who sees them break a record. Some do it for glory. Some do it for attention (I’ve been accused of that a time or two). There are probably many more reasons. Often, the reasons change over the years.

My point is that it seems when I have my priorities straight, when I have a goal, and when I know what my reward will be…..I seem to make greater progress. Having that clear image of the reward can help with great gains. My Uncle Phil Jackson used to say to me that the only time Success comes before Work is in the dictionary.

That free beer meant a lot to me. What’s your reward?

Meeting Bob Hoffman

by Dale Friesz

"This picture is of myself, the one and only Bob Hoffman, and my youngest daughter, Pam age 4. This picture was taken in 1972 at the Junior Nationals Olympic Lifting Competition, just outside of Washington D.C." - Dale Friesz

Eastern Open Postal Meet

Results of the Eastern Open Postal Meet

by Al Myers

The month of March was the first of the USAWA’s Quad Postal Series. John Wilmot is again the Meet Director for these Postal Meets, and through his hard work, put together one of the most participated Postal Meets to date. Thirteen lifters turned in results for this competition, and several placings were very close. The lifts John chose were easy to do which I think helped in the turnout of lifters. John went to the work of sending out nice certificates to the winners, which is more than expected in a meet where you don’t have to pay an entry fee. I want to point out that you do not need a Certified USAWA Official to participate in these Postal Meets – but you do need someone to “unofficially judge” your lifts. You also must be a current USAWA member to participate. Of course, it is best to have Certified Officials judge your lifts as that is mandatory for any lifts to count as records. The USAWA allows the “One Official System” to be used for records, but IAWA (World Records) require the “Three Official System” to be used. This is specified on the results sheet so the Records Chairmen of the USAWA and the IAWA will know which lifters are eligible for records.

Congratulations to the Best Lifters and thanks to everyone who participated. Your continually support of these Postal Meets is what is needed to keep them going!

RESULTS:

Eastern Open Postal Meet
March 1-31, 2010

Meet Director:  John Wilmot

Lifts:  Clean and Press – 2 Dumbbells, Heels Together, Continental to Belt, Deadlift – 2 Dumbbells

Officials for lifters using 3 official system:
Al Myers – Chad Ullom, Mark Mitchell, Scott Tully
Chad Ullom – Al Myers, Mark Mitchell, Scott Tully
Jesse Landes – Al Myers, Chad Ullom, Scott Tully
Scott Tully – Al Myers, Chad Ullom, Mark Mitchell
Mark Mitchell – Al Myers, Chad Ullom, Scott Tully
Joe Ciavattone Sr. – Frank Ciavattone Jr., Mike O’Brien
Frank Ciavattone Jr. – Joe Ciavattone Sr., Mike O’Brien
Mike O’Brien – Joe Ciavattone Sr., Frank Ciavattone Jr.
Joe Ciavattone Jr. – Frank Ciavattone Jr., Joe Ciavattone Sr., Mike O’Brien

Officials for lifters using 1 official system:
Kohl Hess – Denny Habecker

Lifters using an individual to judge who is not a Certified USAWA Official:
Orie Barnett
John Wilmot
Denny Habecker

Lifter Age BWT Cls DB Press
 Con to Belt
 DB DL
 Total Points
Al Myers
 43 250 115 170 424 578 1172 967.18
Chad Ullom
 38 235 110 170 402 490 1062 869.88
Joe Ciavattone Jr.
 16 212 100 140 350 400 890 846.94
Orie Barnett
 49 230 105 160 350 402 912 831.15
Joe Ciavattone Sr.
 41 245 115 180 375 410 965 788.92
Mark Mitchell
 49 365 125+ 210 363 424 997 779.64
Jesse Landes
 30 238 110 150 308 490 948 771.29
Denny Habecker
 67 184 85 110 242 275 628 752.53
Mike O’Brien
 27 145 70 80 275 310 665 724.25
Scott Tully
 34 352 125+ 200 308 490 998 709.48
Frank Ciavattone Jr.
 55 285 125+ 60 335 410 805 694.56
John Wilmot
 63 211 100 100 225 280 605 650.80
Kohl Hess
 15 283 125+ 110 220 341 672 577.17


BWT is body weight in pounds. Cls is bodyweight class. Total is total pounds lifted. Points are adjusted points for bodyweight and age.

BEST LIFTERS:

Junior – Joe Ciavattone Jr.

Senior (20-39 age) – Chad Ullom

Master (40-44 age) – Al Myers

Master (45-49 age) – Orie Barnett

Master (55-59 age) – Frank Ciavattone Jr.

Master (60-64 age) – John Wilmot

Master (65-69 age) – Denny Habecker

Master Overall – Al Myers

Overall Lifter – Al Myers

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