USAWA

by Clint Poore

A TRIBUTE TO THOSE WHO HAVE GONE BEFORE……DEAN ROSS!

      As I set here typing the results of The Iron Palace’s Strongest Man – Record Day, with tears rolling down my face. I see a record that has been broken & held by a fellow lifter who is now training at the big gym in heaven! His name is Dean Ross and he currently holds over 400 USAWA National Records! Dean was a man I got the honor to meet on 2 occasions & had a few sublime conversations with, but more on that in a moment.  

      Al Myers recently said in an article on the USAWA website, “It was a great day for the Dino Gym Challenge – a day we honored the longtime USAWA and Dino Gym member Dean Ross who passed away a year ago.” 

      As I was typing the results of the most recent meet, I saw that my good friend & USAWA referee, Holland Millsaps had broken Dean Ross’ record in the Deadlift, Inch Dumbbell, Right and Left Hand. My heart felt very heavy at that moment when I realized I was sending in a result that meant someone who is no longer with us would lose his record. Tears rolled down my face, not for the loss of Dean’s record but in memory of him and how much of an absolute joy it was to meet him. I first met Dean at the 2021 Old Time Strongman National Championships in Turney, Missouri. Dean lifted in the 95 kilo weight class at 75 years young! His lifts on this day were: 34 lb Cyr Press, 135 lb Habecker lift, 135 lb Hackenschmidt Floor Press & a 205 lb Kennedy lift! I was utterly amazed at how strong and resilient Dean was at 75 years old and was honored to watch his glorious lifting. He was a World Class Gentleman and Athlete! Thank you Dean for sharing the platform with me. 

      A few months later, I met Dean again at the 2022 Dino Gym challenge. It was great pleasure to watch him and LaVerne Myers lift at 75 years young. These men are well accomplished lifters, that even though I only spent a small amount of time with them, it was worth its weight in gold to see their achievements!

      Records are meant to be broken & one of the real treasures of the USAWA is having the opportunity to set records and know the names of some of the great men who have gone before us. On this day, as I was typing up the results, the weight of history fell on my shoulders and I realized how blessed we are to share the platform with men like Dean Ross, Denny Habecker, Laverne Myers, Al Myers, Thom Van Vleck, and many others who have blazed the trail to this very day. When the records of legendary men are broken may we cherish the opportunity to have walked in their shoes and lifted heavy weights in their honor!

      In closing, after wiping away tears numerous times, refocusing on finishing the meet results & a moment of silence in memory of the legendary Dean Ross. I want to say THANK YOU DEAN & may we lift heavy weights together again soon!