Tag Archives: Dean Ross

Courage Award

By Eric Todd

Dean Ross wins this year's Courage Award

Dean Ross wins this year’s Courage Award

The description of the Courage award reads as follows:

Courage Award – This goes to an individual who shows the courage to overcome an obstacle in order to return to competition. This may be a comeback from an injury, or just having to deal with difficult personal issues but still shows the courage to compete in the USAWA.

This description fits Dean Ross to a T, and he is this year’s winner.  Dean has gone through a number of health issues this past year, but constantly shows up for competitions, lifts his heart out, and sets records in the process.  I looked back through the history of these awards, and surprisingly, this is only the second time Dean has won this award.   This was certainly not only the second time Dean has overcome obstacles.  I would like to send Dean out a huge, heartfelt CONGRATS!  You truly deserve this award.

Dean Ross – Hall of Fame Biography

By Al Myers

(Below is the Hall of Fame Biography for Dean Ross, who was inducted into the USAWA Hall of Fame at the 2019 USAWA National Championships.  This bio is now included in the HOF Archives on the website.)

HALL OF FAME BIOGRAPHY

DEAN ROSS – CLASS OF 2019

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RossHOF1

Dean Ross is a man of many talents.  He has been involved with the USAWA since 2009.  His previous strength passion involved participating in the Scottish Highland Games, where he put up a Hall of Fame career.    Dean has always been known for his commitment to enter competitions.  When he was throwing several times he would compete on Saturday and then drive over 500 miles overnight to another competition on Sunday.   That same enthusiasm he has brought to the USAWA.   During the last 10 years Dean has competed in over 100 USAWA events. That is a mark that no one else has ever done!  He is a member of the Dino Gym and supports all of the gym’s events, as well as making long driving trips to big events like Nationals. Everyone in the USAWA knows Dean, as he has participated in events in every club.

Dean has put up a very impressive resume during these previous years:

  • 9th place overall at the 2018 Nationals in Cocoa Beach, Florida
  • 6th place overall at the 2016 Nationals in Norwood, Massachusetts
  • Best Lifter in the 70-74 age group at 2016 Nationals
  • 9th place overall at the 2015 Nationals in York, Pennsylvania
  • 7th place overall at the 2014 Nationals in Macomb, Illinois
  • 7th place overall at the 2012 Nationals in Las Vegas, Nevada
  • Lifter of the Month 2 times – July 2018 & August 2015
  • Presidential Cup Award Winner in 2015
  • Overall Team Champion with LaVerne Myers at the 2017 Team Championships
  • Grand Slam Postal Series Winner – 2016 & 2015
  • 9th Place overall in the 2016 Postal Series
  • 6th Place overall in the 2015 Postal Series
  • 8th place overall in the 2016 IAWA World Championships in Lebanon, PA
  • USAWA Sportsmanship Award winner in 2016 & 2017
  • USAWA Athlete of the Year Runner Up Award winner in 2015
  • USAWA Courage Award winner in 2013
  • USAWA Newcomer Award winner in 2011

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Dean strength as an All Rounder is his ability to set records in a wide array of different lifts.  He currently has the fourth most USAWA records of any lifter in the history of the USAWA, with 383.  But even more impressive, is these records have been accomplished in over 150 different lifts! Dean is one of the few lifters to have competed in every one of the Championship events that the USAWA offers, which includes the Heavy Lift Championships, Grip Championships, Presidential Cup, Postal Championships, Club Championships, Old Time Strongman Championships, Team Championships, and the National Championships.  He has also competed at the International level – having competed in the 2016 IAWA Worlds, 2016 Gold Cup, and the 2013 Gold Cup.  Dean loves to lift heavy and has the goal of doing at least one lift over 1000 pounds every year in competition.  He has accomplished this goal consistently over the past 10 years.  Dean is one of the most well liked guys in the USAWA, and always has a new story to tell.   He is a great competitor, and always encourages other lifters.  It is a fitting honor for him to join the USAWA Hall of Fame.

New Hall of Famers

By Al Myers

Dean Ross (left) and LaVerne Myers (right) were inducted into the USAWA Hall of Fame at the 2019 National Championships.

Dean Ross (left) and LaVerne Myers (right) were inducted into the USAWA Hall of Fame at the 2019 National Championships.

I am very excited to announce two new USAWA Hall of Fame members.   At the recent National Championships, LaVerne Myers and Dean Ross joined the elite fraternity of the USAWA Hall of Fame.   The HOF is the highest honor one can receive in the USAWA, and both of these two are more than well deserving. LaVerne and Dean have been part of the Dino Gym Club for over 15 years now, and have been mainstay competitors in many USAWA events throughout the years.  I plan to do a full bio for each of them at a future date which I will share on the website.

Congrats to both LaVerne and Dean!!!

Team Championships

By Al Myers

MEET RESULTS –

2019 USAWA TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS

Dean Ross and LaVerne Myers pulling a BIG 2 man Fulton Bar Deadlift at the 2019 Team Championships. Both of these guys are over 75 years of age!!!

Dean Ross and LaVerne Myers pulling a BIG 2 man Fulton Bar Jefferson Lift at the 2019 Team Championships. Both of these guys are over 75 years of age and are a formidable team lifting duo !!!

The USAWA Team Champs may not have been a large meet this year, but it made up for that in the heated battle between the two teams that were there!

I was a little concerned that my teammate Chad might be worn out from his heavy lifting the day before at the OTSM Champs in Missouri, and not be at full strength.  I also was very aware of the venerable veteran due of LaVerne and Dean, and how they had been training secretly together to knock us off our throne this year. Chad and I have won the overall at 10 previous Team Championships together and have not been beaten yet, but all streaks come to an end eventually. I was concerned that this might be that year.  Both Dean and LaVerne seemed very confident before the meet, and Dean even made a boisterous comment how they were gonna take us down!  Plus I knew since the USAWA adopted the IAWA scoring format this year they were gonna get an additional 10% to their total points.

Dean and LaVerne had the lead through the first 3 lifts.   I was hopeful that we would catch them on the no thumbs deadlift, but that didn’t happen. It got tense at one point when pops told me to quit checking the point status with the calculator, as he knew we would have the last attempt with the fulton bar Jefferson and I would know how much we needed! Well, it took all we had to get our final lift for the win! (and of course I knew how much we needed to lift haha).  Dean even tried to stop us just as we got ready to lift by saying he wanted to get his camera out to take a picture as he was hoping to throw us off our pre-lift psyche.  That’s a master sly trick only done by a wily seasoned lifter who knows how to play “head games” with his competition.

This was the closest finish in Team Championship history.  Dean and LaVerne will pick up an additional percent next year so Chad and I may have to do a little secret training ourselves if we are to stay ahead of them.  It was a great day at the Dino Gym, and after the meet we did several finger lift records for the fun of it. I really want to encourage others to join us next year for this Championships.  It’s truly one of the most enjoyable meets I do every year in the USAWA.

Meet Results:

2019 USAWA Team Championships
Dino Gym
Holland, KS
September 8th, 2019

Meet Director: Al Myers

Scorekeeper: Al Myers

Officials (1-Official System Used): Al Myers & LaVerne Myers

Lifts: Curl- Strict Reverse Grip, Snatch – From Hang, Deadlift – No Thumbs Overhand Grip, Jefferson Lift – Fulton Bar

MENS DIVISION

Al Myers & Chad Ullom – 45+ Age Group 105KG BWT Class
Al Myers (53 Years Old, 228# BWT) & Chad Ullom (47 Years Old, 228# BWT)

LaVerne Myers & Dean Ross – 75+ Age Group 110KG BWT Class
LaVerne Myers (75 Years Old, 230# BWT) & Dean Ross (76 Years Old, 235# BWT)

Lifters Curl Snatch DLNT Jeff TOT PTS
Al & Chad 175 175 700 800 1850 1662.7
LaVerne & Dean 150 150 550 520 1370 1638.4

Notes: All lifts recorded in pounds. TOT is total pounds lifted.  PTS are overall amended points corrected for age and bodyweight.

RECORD DAY LIFTS AFTER THE MEET

Dean Ross – 76 years old, 235# BWT
Finger Lift – Middle, Left 131#
Finger Lift – Middle, Right 131#

Chad Ullom – 47 years old, 228# BWT
Finger Lift – Middle, Right 95#
Finger Lift – Middle, Left 95#

LaVerne Myers – 75 years old, 230# BWT
Finger Lift – Middle, Left 95#
Finger Lift – Middle, Right 95#
Finger Lift – Index, Left 95#
Finger Lift – Index, Right 95#
Finger Lift – Ring, Left 85#

Lifter of the month – Dean Ross

By Al Myers

Dean Ross "in action" at the National Championships in Cocoa Beach, Florida.

Dean Ross “in action” at the National Championships in Cocoa Beach, Florida.

The LIFTER OF THE MONTH for July goes to DEAN ROSS!

Dean has been a mainstay competitor representing the Dino Gym over the past several years.  He was part of the Dino Gym team at the USAWA Club Challenge in July. One thing I admire in Dean is his up-beat attitude, and despite what may be hurting on him, he keeps such a positive mindset.  He is one of the main motivators on the Dino Gym team.

Big CONGRATS Dean – you deserve this!

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