USAWA

by Al Myers

MEET REPORT

THE 25th USAWA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

So much happened over this past weekend in Las Vegas at the “25th Anniversary” of the USAWA National Championships that I don’t know where to begin!  I had been looking forward to this for a long time – and it’s hard to believe that it already over!   The first thing I want to do is thank the people who had a “big hand” in making this year’s National Championship a HUGE SUCCESS!  First – a BIG, BIG THANKS to John Broz of Average Broz’s Gym who hosted the meet venue.  John has an unbelievable facility in Las Vegas – complete with top notch equipment.  John was very supportive of us (the USAWA) and went out of his way to make sure that everything was in order for the meet to run successfully.  I HIGHLY recommend if anyone is ever in Vegas and needs a place to train – look up Broz’s Gym.  Without John’s support in this venture  this meet would not have been possible.  Next I want to thank two of my outstanding training partners for showing up to help – Scott Tully and Darren Barnhart.  These two made the trip to Vegas just to help – and help they did – judging, loading, and helping facilitate the meet.  Scott and Darren are the ones responsible for the meet getting over in a RECORD FOUR HOURS. Up next is the Habeckers.  Denny and Judy are “the backbone” of our organization and are always doing work behind the scenes to insure competitions run smoothly.  They hauled all the awards and tshirts to the meet, as well as Denny helping officiate and Judy doing all the scorekeeping and announcing. Finally, I want to thank Chad Ullom for organizing “all the other stuff”.  Chad took care of all the details of organizing the evening fun, organizing the National Meeting,  as well as providing transportation to and from the meet.

I will keep this meet report to the meet itself. There were several other significant things that occurred – but I will save those for another days story.  A total of 13 lifters made this celebration – 12 men and 1 woman.  Susan Sees won the overall best womans lifter and I won the overall best mens lifter. Susan was “runner up” at last years Nationals, but this year she took the title! Congrats Susan!  It was a close battle between Larry Traub and myself for the mens overall, which went down to the last event.  Larry is one strong lifter, and at age 58, lifts like someone in their 20’s!  Chad Ullom came in a solid third, and only had one missed attempt all day. Fourth place went to the Ledaig AC leader – Dave Glasgow.  Denny Habecker came in fifth, barely ahead of Tim Piper.  It was  really tight to decide 7th from 8th place (only 5 adjusted points, the closest finish of the day), but Dean Ross came out in front of LaVerne Myers. The age group these two were in was  “the hottest” contested age group of the day for best lifter awards. Denny had a “tough fight” to beat out Dean, LaVerne and Bob.  Ninth place went to Bob Geib, with the “top ten” being rounded out by Dennis Mitchell.  However, the two lifters who placed 11th and 12th were the two who “took the show” in my book.  Dale Friesz and Art Montini are two tough ole’ ironheads who REFUSE to give up.  Dale has been facing some difficult physical issues lately and STILL showed up at Nationals and competed, and gave a gallant effort that most lifters in his situation would be mentally unable to do. Art at 84 years of age is living proof that you are NEVER too old to lift and compete in a big competition. Art had some issues with dehydration with the hot dry heat of Las Vegas (why would someone in their 80’s try to cut water weight before weighins??), but made a strong recovery to finish the meet.   Both of these guys are my heros – and give me inspiration to “keep after it” and not give up despite what I may be faced with, because it is NOTHING compared to what they deal with!

I really feel this Nationals will be one that will go down “in history” as one of the best USAWA National Championships of ALL TIME.  We will be talking about the events that unfolded this weekend for many years to come.  I really feel sorry for those that didn’t make it to this one – because I will say this – YOU missed out on a GOOD TIME!  And Happy 25th Anniversary to the USAWA!!!!!

MEET RESULTS

2012 USAWA National Championships
Average Broz’s Gym
Las Vegas, Nevada
June 30th, 2012

Meet Director: Al Myers & the USAWA Executive Board

Scorekeeper: Judy Habecker

Announcer: Judy Habecker

Meet Venue: John Broz and Broz’s Gym

Officials (3 official system used):  Scott Tully, Darren Barnhart, Al Myers, Chad Ullom, Denny Habecker, Art Montini, Dennis Mitchell

Loaders: Scott Tully, Darren Barnhart, and lifters

Lifts: Clean and Jerk – One Arm, Curl – Reverse Grip, Pullover and Press, Hack Lift – One Arm, Jefferson Lift

WOMENS DIVISION

Lifter	Age	BWT	C&J	Curl	P&P	Hack	Jeff	TOT	PTS
Susan Sees	49	211	22.5R	40	40	45R	80	227.5	216.97

EXTRA LIFTS FOR RECORD

Susan Sees: Clean and Jerk – One Arm 15L
Susan Sees: Curl – Reverse Grip 42.5
Susan Sees: Hack – One Arm 47.5R

MENS DIVISION

Lifter	Age	BWT	C&J	Curl	P&P	Hack	Jeff	TOT	PTS
Al Myers	45	240	65R	95	145	150R	250	705	605.39
Larry Traub	58	201	40R	75	105	102.5R	240	562.5	596.35
Chad Ullom	40	251	65R	95	140	145R	250	695	555.80
Dave Glasgow	58	246	50L	82.5	105	100L	182.5	520	495.04
Denny Habecker	69	194	35R	57.5	90	82.5R	132.5	397.5	469.78
Tim Piper	42	191	52.5R	60	102.5	100R	160	475	448.59
Dean Ross	69	265	30R	60	70	60R	155	375	375.57
LaVerne Myers	68	247	25L	65	65	85L	120	360	370.68
Bob Geib	69	270	30R	50	45	60R	135	320	317.66
Dennis Mitchell	80	152	12.5R	25	30	50R	90	207.5	308.96
Dale Friesz	71	160	7.5R	22.5	40	35R	67.5	172.5	232.62
Art Montini	84	173	0	0	0	0	60	60	84.59

EXTRA LIFTS FOR RECORDS

Dale Friesz: Deadlift – Little Fingers 35
Dale Friesz: Deadlift – Index Fingers 45
Dennis Mitchell: Clean and Jerk – One Arm 12.5L
Dennis Mitchell: Pullover and Press 35
Dennis Mitchell: Hack Lift – One Arm 50L
Bob Geib: Hack Lift – One Arm 67.5R
Dean Ross: Hack Lift – One Arm 65R

NOTES:  BWT is bodyweight in pounds.  All lifts recorded in kilograms. R & L designate right and left arms. TOT is total kilograms lifted. PTS is adjusted points for bodyweight and age.

BEST LIFTERS

Womens Overall:  Susan Sees
Mens Overall:  Al Myers
Womens Master Overall:  Susan Sees
Mens Master Overall:  Al Myers
Mens Master 40-44 Age Group: Chad Ullom
Mens Master 45-49 Age Group: Al Myers
Mens Master 55-59 Age Group: Larry Traub
Mens Master 65-69 Age Group: Denny Habecker
Mens Master 70-74 Age Group: Dale Friesz
Mens Master 80-84 Age Group: Dennis Mitchell
Team Champion: Dino Gym (Al Myers, Chad Ullom, LaVerne Myers, Dean Ross)