USAWA

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: