Tag Archives: Dale Friesz

Longterm USAWA Members

by Al Myers

Dale Friesz has been an active member of the USAWA since the first year of membership in 1988. Dale has had more reasons than anyone to have let his membership lapse, yet he maintained his yearly membership to support the USAWA. Lifters like Dale are the foundation of our organization.

Last week’s Quiz of the Week was a very important one for one simple reason – it gave recognition to those USAWA Members who have been yearly members since the first year of the USAWA.  These 5 USAWA member have showed extreme loyalty to the USAWA by being members all these years.  It is easy to miss a year of membership –  such as a lack of competing due to illness or injury.  I know this could have been  the case for a couple of these lifters, yet they STILL maintained their yearly membership despite the physical hardship. Most lifters don’t do that – they rejoin when they are able to compete again.   These lifters should receive an award for their loyalty to the USAWA (hmmm…. who’s the USAWA Award Director? I may have to talk to him about this.  Especially since NEXT year is the 25th anniversary of the USAWA).  Just for those who missed the quiz, I want to list these USAWA VIP members again:

Bill Clark

Casey Clark

Joe Garcia

Art Montini

Dale Friesz

Now I want to mention a few others that have been longterm members of the USAWA, but maybe now are retired or just joined a little later.  The initial class of members in 1988 included such notable lifters as Bill Clark, Bill DiCioccio Sr., Joe Garcia, Cindy Garcia, John McKean, Noi Phumchaona, Howard Prechtel, John Vernacchio, Casey Clark, Dale Friesz, Jack Lano, Art Montini, Tom Ryan, Bob Burtzloff, Phil Anderson, Steve Schmidt, John Wilmot, Harrison Skeete, Attilio Alacchi, Paul Knauer, Joe McCoy, Dave Hahn, Clay Oliver, Ron Sisk, Gonzalo Gonzlsez, and Ed Zercher.  There were several more than this that joined that year. However, all together, the USAWA membership was still short of 100 members that first year.

USAWA Hall of Famer Frank Ciavattone joined a year later in 1989.  He has been a member every year since.  USAWA Executive Board member Dennis Mitchell also joined in 1989 and hasn’t missed a year of membership.  A couple of long-term members joined in 1990 and haven’t missed any years of membership since joining – our President Denny Habecker and Hall of Famer Jim Malloy.  A few lifters, like John McKean and Steve Schmidt, only missed a few years of continuous membership due to lifting retirement only to reappear as active lifters. All these lifters  deserve special recognition for their many years of support to the USAWA.  The only USAWA club that has maintained club membership since 1988 has been Clark’s Gym.

USAWA Award Winners for 2009

by Al Myers

Courage Award Winners Frank Ciavattone (left) and Dale Friesz (right).

One of the exciting things that has been developed in the USAWA this past year is the development of the USAWA Awards Program.  Included in the new USAWA bylaws is the creation of an Award Director for the USAWA, which is important to insure that the Awards Program will continue in the future. I was nominated for this position and upon receiving the membership’s blessing by an unanimous vote, I was appointed the Awards Director.  I feel giving “special awards” on behalf of the USAWA is VERY IMPORTANT and I will do my best to make sure this continues as long as I am in this position.  When someone shows that they are “going beyond what is expected” in the organization – it is only right that the USAWA gives them the credit they deserve.  I also want to make sure that these “special awards”  will continue to be selected by the membership, instead of by me or the Executive Board.  This makes them mean even more to the deserving award recipients – knowing that they were selected for these honorable awards by their peers.  These awards will be given out at the Annual National Meeting, which is always in conjunction with the National Championships. The 2009 Award winners are as follows:

Athlete of the Year Award Winners Chad Ullom (left) and Al Myers (right).

Athlete of the Year – Al Myers

Athlete of the Year Runner Up – Chad Ullom

Leadership Award – Bill Clark

Leadership Award Runner Up – Al Myers

Sportsmanship Award – Denny Habecker

Sportsmanship Award Runner Up – Art Montini

Courage Award – Dale Friesz

Courage Award Runner Up – Frank Ciavattone

Newcomer Award – David Glasgow

Newcomer Award Runner Up – Kohl Hess

Club of the Year – Dino Gym

Club of the Year Runner Up – Ambridge VFW BBC

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2009 SPECIAL AWARD WINNERS!! The USAWA is very proud of you and your accomplishments.

Dale and Dalton

by Thom Van Vleck

Dale Friesz deadlifting 220 pounds with the Trap Bar at the 2010 USAWA National Championships.

Dale Friesz getting the courage award made me think of my grandfather and patriarch of the Jackson Weightlifting Club.  I think Dale and Dalton would have gotten along just fine.

First, let me say that I have a lot of respect for Dale and I hope that as I get older that I don’t give up on my training.  Dale commented one time that his training is what kept him going and I believe that.  Dalton Jackson was that way, too.

With all the champions to come out of the JWC, from state to national to world champs, people new to the club are often shocked that my grandfather never won anything.  He never competed in a single lifting meet.  But let me explain.  He grew up in the depression and quickly found himself the father to a pack of kids that needed taken care of and he worked long, hard hours to do this.  If he hurt himself, the family was in trouble, so he never maxed out or competed.  It was BECAUSE he sacrificed that later the rest of us could enjoy success.  To the members of the JWC, this made him the greatest champion of them all.

When I was a boy I recall him working at the local shoe factory (a brick hell hole that reeked of chemicals and had no air in the summers….I knew guys who worked there one day and quit….but my grandfather worked there 38 years) full time.  He would work 10 hours a day and half a day on Saturday, or 55 hours a week when they were busy.  He then worked as a janitor of an evening (I often went with him to this job and hung out as he told me stories while he worked) AND he drove a mail truck on Saturday nights.  I often rode with him as he would pick up mail and we would end up around midnight at the airport in Jefferson City.  This meant he’d get home about about 2:00am and he’d still get up and go to Church the next day.  I also recall him sleeping Sunday afternoons!

During these grueling hours, my grandfather would work out.  He worked out all the time.  He would go to the garage gym and get in some lifting, but he also took every chance to get in a few jumping jacks, or push ups, or a bar would be a chance to do some chins.  He incorporated his training in his work, if he were shoveling dirt, he’d do 5 reps over the left shoulder then 5 over the right for 5 sets, then rest a minute, and then back at it.  He would do isometric curls and grip work on the steering wheel of his car while he drove!  I also recall, when he was in his 50’s, he’d go into a handstand and walk on his hands across the yard as he would come into the house.  I’m sure the neighbors thought he was nuts!  Just like I’m sure that those who don’t know Dale the way we do might think he’s a little nuts.  But my grandfather was in fantastic shape and could work all day and I never recall him being sick and if he was, he was in such good shape it didn’t keep him down long.

Then, when he was in his late 70’s, he was hit by a car.  It was a devastating accident and the doctors told us things looked bleak.  He had a severe head injury and they did brain surgery on him.  They put him in one of those rotating beds to drain the fluid off his brain and told us the prognosis was grim and that he’d never fully recover.  But one day, we were in visiting him and my Uncle Wayne noticed he was doing something with his hands.  He was squeezing them…..and he was doing it in 5 sets of 5 reps (his favorite set/rep scheme for exercises) as he switched back and forth.  Soon, this began to spread and the docs thought he was fighting the restraints on his bed.  But we knew, “Pop” (as I called him) was exercising.  He was already planning his comeback!

He made a long, grueling comeback to the amazement of his doctors.  The wreck took it’s toll but Dalton got back to being better than most men his age.  He continued to exercise all the time and lift weights.  I think that if Dalton were around today, he’d be right there with Dale on the platform and I’m sure they’d have a lot to talk about.  Tough times don’t last, tough people do.

History of the Deanna Springs Memorial Meet

Written and Compiled by Dale Friesz

There has been 15 Deanna Springs Memorial Meets.  Joe Garcia owns this meet – he has won 9 of these meets.  He participated in two others – 2003 and 1997.  Amazingly he failed to total in 2003 and 1997.  In 2003, he was unable to do a Hand and Thigh Lift and in 1997 he failed in the Hip Lift.  He could not do the Hand and Thigh Lift in 2003 as he had been kicked by his own horse! In 1997, his choice of weight in the Hip Lift was too heavy.  That amounts to 9 wins in 11 contests. My hat is off to Joe!!

Deanna and Al Springs, performing a 2-person Cheat Curl

The following is from the USAWA Strength Journal, Vol. VI-7 11/25-1995:

Deanna Springs Dies in Auto Crash
by Kerry Clark, a national USWF titlist like Deanna, contributed the following eulogy for her close friend.

On October 5, 1995, Deanna Springs was killed in a car accident at the age of 45. Deanna was the wife of Al Springs of Dearborn, Missouri. Deanna met Al when she came to his fitness center for rehabilitation for shoulder and wrist problems. She lifted in her first USAWA meet at Steve Schmidt’s in 1992, and although she continued to battle back and arm problems she developed into an excellent and enthusiastic lifter over the last few years.  Al and Deanna were rightfully proud of her record-making marks of 600 pounds in the Hand and Thigh and 1100 pounds in the Hip Lift. But more than a devoted lifter, Deanna Springs was a wonderful person.  She and Al came to all of our meets at Clark’s Gym. Deanna was always the friendliest and most supportive person in the room.  She worked hard to become a better lifter herself and she always gave out encouragement, even to her competitors.  I always looked forward to our meets because I knew that Deanna would be there.  At her funeral, the minister spoke of Deanna’s accomplishments in the USAWA and her National Championship medal was placed in the casket with her.  I felt glad to know that Deanna cared so much about the USAWA because I know that my experience in this organization was enriched by her presence. Deanna Springs was a great lifter, supporter of the USAWA, and a friend. She was also Al’s greatest booster.  Her death was an unexpected blow and she will be greatly missed.

Past Winners of the Deanna Springs Memorial Meet:

MEN’S DIVISION
DATE WINNER AGE BWT TOTAL POINTS
2010 – 3/28
JOE GARCIA
56 215 3770 3611.64
2009 – 3/28
JOE GARCIA
55 240 3950 3711.88
2008 – 4/06
AL MYERS
42 239 3525 2948.17
2007 – 3/25
ABE SMITH
25 171 3610 3534.55
2006 – 3/26
JOE GARCIA
52 245 4035 3655.85
2005 – 4/02
ABE SMITH
23 165 4105 4111.98
2004 – 4/04
JOE GARCIA
50 231 3980 3650.87
2003 – 4/06
STEVE SCHMIDT
47 215 3940 3654.37
2002 – 4/07
JOE GARCIA
48 241 4120 3627.67
2001 – 3/31
JOE GARCIA
47 242 3195 2783.60
2000 – 3/26
JOSH PEMBERTON
24 209 2960 2581.12
1999 – 3/28
JOE GARCIA
45 241 4525 3876.54
1998 – 3/28
JOE GARCIA
44 229 4140 3608.4
1997 – 4/12
JOHN CARTER
39 226 4245 3553.07
1996 – 3/30
JOE GARCIA
42 223 2550 2210.98

WOMEN’S DIVISION
DATE WINNER AGE BWT TOTAL POINTS
2004 – 4/04
JESSICA TODD
28 188 1850 1712.18
2001 – 3/31
ANGELA McBRIDE
22 132 2140 2490.32
1996 – 3/30
AMORKOR OLLENNUNKING
33 175 1875 1810.50

Notes:  BWT is bodyweight in pounds. Total is total pounds lifted. Points are bodyweight and age adjusted.

LIFTS:

1996 – Cheat Curl, Zercher Lift, Crucifix, Jefferson Lift, Hand and Thigh Lift
1997 – Cheat Curl, Crucifix, Jefferson Lift, Hand and Thigh Lift, Hip Lift
1998 to present – Crucifix, Cheat Curl, Deanna Lift, Hand and Thigh Lift, Hip Lift

LOCATIONS:

1996 – Springs’ Garage Gym (Dearborn, Missouri)
1997 to present – Clark’s Championship Gym (Columbia, Missouri)

Summary of the Zercher Strength Classic


THE ZERCHER STRENGTH CLASSIC
America’s Oldest All-Round Weightlifting Contest
by Dale Friesz


The concept of the ZERCHER STRENGTH CLASSIC originated with the founder of the United States All-Round Weightlifting Association, Bill Clark. The first ZERCHER STRENGTH CLASSIC was held in 1982, six years before the first USAWA National Championships became a reality. The meet was created to honor Ed Zercher Sr., the famous St. Louis Missouri Strongman who performed at an extremely high level for over sixty-five years in all areas of the strength games.

MALE CHAMPIONS


YEAR
WINNER
AGE/BWT # LIFTS
TOTAL POINTS
2010 – 1/30
ABE SMITH
28/180 13 8105 7698.90
2009 – 1/31
ABE SMITH
27/180 13 8370 7950.66
2008 – 1/26
JOE GARCIA
54/226 13 8020 7635.38
2007 – 2/03
JOE GARCIA
53/233 13 8135 7635.20
2006 – 1/21
ABE SMITH
24/172 13 7897.5 7708.75
2005 – 1/29
JOE GARCIA
51/242 13 8085 7304.83
2004 – 1/31
JOE GARCIA
50/240 13 8190 7364.64
2003 – 2/01
BILL CLARK
70/238 13 5180 5523.64
2002 – 2/02
ABE SMITH
20/169 13 7790 7684.84
2001 – 2/03
JOE GARCIA
47/241 13 8050 7029.97
2000 – 2/05-06
JOE GARCIA
46/239 13 8792.5 7654.33
1999 – 1/30
DAVE DEFOREST
38/185 13 6765 6321.90
1998 – 1/31-2/01
JOHN CARTER
40/224.5 13 10080 8542.71
1997 – 2/01-02
JOHN CARTER
39/227.5 13 9895 8243.50
1996 – 2/02-04
JOHN CARTER
38/225 13 10645 8918.30
1995 – 2/04-05
JOHN CARTER
37/218.5 13 9790 8334.23
1994 – 2/05-06
JOHN CARTER
36/211.5 13 9345 8097.44
1993 – 2/06-07
STEVE SCHMIDT
37/215.5 13 10470 8975.93
1992 – 1/18-19
STEVE SCHMIDT
36/223 13 10250 8628.45
1991 – 1/19-20
STEVE SCHMIDT
35/227 13 10380 8656.92
1990 – 1/20-21
STEVE SCHMIDT
34/225 10 6430 5387.06
1989 – 1/21-22
STEVE SCHMIDT
33/212 14 8285 7189.72
1988 – 1/23-24
STEVE SCHMIDT
32/215 18 12260 10568.12
1987 – 1/24-25
STEVE SCHMIDT
31/215 16 10955 6139.18
1986 – 1/25-26
SID LITTLETON
30/161 16 9345 6672.33
1985 – N/A
SID LITTLETON
29/165 20 8320 5969.29
1984 – 1/21-22
SID LITTLETON
28/- 17 N/A N/A
1983 – 1/22-23
STEVE SCHMIDT
27/- 18 N/A N/A
1982 – 1/23-24
SID LITTLETON
26/- 16 N/A N/A


FEMALE CHAMPIONS


YEAR
WINNER
AGE/BWT # LIFTS
TOTAL POINTS
2003 – 2/01
AMORKOR OLLENNUKING
40/165 13 6165 6226.65
2001 – 2/03
AMORKOR OLLENNUKING
38/158 13 6355 6538.66
1999 – 1/30
ANGELA McBRIDE
19/136 13 3740 4235.37
1998 – 1/31-2/01
AMY BURKS
19/124 13 3470 4235.83
1997 – 2/01-02
AMORKOR OLLENNUKING
34/171 13 6070 5897.00
1996 – 2/03-04
AMORKOR OLLENNUKING
33/176 13 5920 5699.30
1995 – 2/04-05
KERRY CLARK
30/171 13 4565 4473.24
1994 – 2/05-06
KERRY CLARK
29/165 13 4695 4702.98
1993 – 2/06-07
KERRY CLARK
28/163 13 4660 4794.67
1989 – 1/21-22
DORIS De La ROSA
29/147 14 3420 3687.79
1988 – 1/23-24
DORIS De La ROSA
28/142 18 4395 4880.65

CHAMPIONS RECAP: MALE

STEVE SCHMIDT – (8) – 1983, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993
JOE GARCIA – (6) – 2000, 2001, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008
JOHN CARTER – (5) – 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998
SID LITTLETON – (4) – 1982, 1984, 1985, 1986
ABE SMITH – (4) – 2002, 2006, 2009, 2010
DAVE DEFOREST – (1) – 1999
BILL CLARK – (1) – 2003

CHAMPIONS RECAP: FEMALE

AMORKOR OLLENNUKING – (4) – 1996, 1997, 2001, 2003
KERRY CLARK – (3) – 1993, 1994, 1995
DORIS De La ROSA – (2) – 1988, 1989
AMY BURKS – (1) – 1998
ANGELA McBRIDE – (1) – 1999

MEET SITES:

MISSOURI STATE PENITENTIARY (Jefferson City, MO) – 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986
MISSOURI TRAINING CENTER FOR MEN (Moberly, MO) – 1985, 1987
CLARK’S CHAMPIONSHIP GYM (Columbia, MO) – 1988 to 2010

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