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Dino Gym Challenge

Dean Ross competing in the 2019 IAWA World Championships in Abilene, Kansas.
Dean Ross competing in the 2019 IAWA World Championships in Abilene, Kansas.

This year the Dino Gym Challenge will be dedicated to a long time Dino Gym club member, Dean Ross. Dean passed away last year on March 9th, at the age of 80 so this competition will mark one year since his death.

Dean was liked by everyone. He attended almost every event at the Dino Gym and always had plenty of interesting stories to tell. He traveled to USAWA events all over the country, and always drove. He often would finish a comp and then get in his truck to drive overnight home to Tulsa.

Dean loved all the lifts, and broke many records in a wide array of different lifts. For this memorial meet I picked these lifts for a reason as they were some of his favorites as he performed them in Gold Cups or Presidential Cups.

MEET DETAILS:

Meet Director:            Al Myers – Email: amyers@usawa.com

Meet Date:                 Saturday, March 9th,   1:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Location:                    Dino Gym, 1126 Eden Road, Abilene, KS 67410

Sanction:                    U.S.A.W.A Memberships cards can be purchased on meet day

Weigh-ins:                  12:00 – 1:00 PM the day of the meet

Divisions:                   Depends who shows up

Awards:                     Don’t expect one

Entry Fee:                  None – but please notify me in advance if you plan to attend

Lifts:

Bench Press – Hands Together

Swing – 1 Dumbbell

Curl – Cheat

Trap Bar Deadlift

The lifts will be done is this order.

Dino Gym Challenge

By Al Myers

MEET RESULTS:

2023 Dino Gym Challenge

“Tribute to John McKean”

Group picture from the 2023 Dino Gym Challenge

Group picture from the 2023 Dino Gym Challenge

The Dino Gym Challenge is often the first meet of the year for the USAWA, so I always hope that I can promote a competition that starts things off well for the organization.   Despite the snow that blowed in on Saturday that kept a few lifters away, it was a GREAT hard day of lifting for the 5 lifters that took to the platform. This meet was in tribute to the late John McKean.  John was a good friend  and a “big player” in the history of the USAWA, as well as an USAWA Hall of Famer.  I made sure to tell many stories about John throughout the day as well as all lifters receiving a retro Tshirt that John had designed for the 2012 Nationals that I organized in Las Vegas for our 25 year anniversary of the USAWA.

Much to everyone’s surprise was Chad Ullom making an appearance!  Chad just had total shoulder replacement a little over a week ago and seemed in great spirits.  LaVerne was going to sit this one out and officiate, but with Chad there I subbed him into the head chair so ole dad could enjoy himself lifting.  I was worried that Chad might be “slow on the calls” because of pain meds, but he did an outstanding job as usual.  He even stepped up and did a couple of lifts with his good arm in the one handed lifts.  I refused to watch as I thought he was crazy to do that and I didn’t want to be witness to a potential horror show, but he’s an iron warrior and lifted unscathed.

I hadn’t seen Lance in a while and hardly recognized him as he’s lost so much weight.  He looked fit and lifted better than he did when he was heavier.   I was very impressed with him, as dieting and losing weight is a difficult task.

Scottish Johnny sure put on a good lifting show and pushed me much harder than I had planned.  He always makes his lifts look effortless (unlike myself who looks like I’m gonna pop a vessel).  After the Kennedy Lift he did a great record day lift of 711 pounds in the Peoples DL which probably was the highlight lift of the day.

After the meet I put on a big fish fry for all that stayed.  John loved to fish as much as lifting and I know he would have been impressed by this (sorry you had to miss out on this Denny as I know how much you love your fish and chips!).

As great as the day was, there was a sense of sadness in the air with the absence of longtime Dino Gym member Dean Ross.  Dean’s fighting some health issues and couldn’t make it.  I can’t remember the last time Dean missed a Dino Gym event.

Meet Results:

Dino Gym Challenge
Saturday, January 21st, 2023
Dino Gym, Holland, Kansas

Meet Director: Al Myers

Meet Scorekeeper: Al Myers

Meet Officials (1 official system used): Chad Ullom, Al Myers, LaVerne Myers

Lifts: 1×2″ Vertical Bar Deadlift, Bentover Row, Dumbbell Deadlift One Arm, Deadlift 2 Bars, Kennedy Lift

Lifter Age BWT VB Row DL1 DL2 Kenn TOT PTS
Al Myers 56 230 180R 275 330R 441 711 1937 1875.6
John Strangeway 44 216 180L 275 330L 507 661 1953 1754.3
LaVerne Myers 78 220 135L 155 200L 224 280 994 1279.9
Lance Foster 57 257 145R 175 220R 300 397 1237 1141.2
Chad Ullom 51 220 145L —- 200L — — 345 327.3

Notes: BWT is bodyweight in pounds. R and L designate right and left arms. TOT is total pounds lifted.  PTS are overall corrected points for age and bodyweight adjustments.

RECORD DAY LIFTS:

John Strangeway – 44 years, 216 pounds
1×2″ Vertical Bar Deadlift Left Arm: 191 pounds
Peoples Deadlift: 711 pounds

LaVerne Myers – 78 years, 220 pounds
Curl Cheat Dumbbell Left: 40 pounds
Curl Cheat Dumbbell Right: 40 pounds
Curl Cheat 2 Dumbbells: 70 pounds
Deadlift 2 Fulton Dumbbells: 250 pounds
Deadlift Fulton Dumbbell Left: 125 pounds

Al Myers – 56 years, 230 pounds
Deadlift Fulton Bar Right: 190 pounds
Deadlift Fulton Bar Left: 170 pounds
Curl Cheat Dumbbell Right: 75 pounds
Curl Cheat Dumbbell Left: 75 pounds
Deadlift 2 Fulton Dumbbells: 320 pounds

Dino Gym Challenge

By Al Myers

MEET ANNOUNCEMENT –

The Dino Gym Challenge presents a “tribute to John McKean”

John loved to fish as much as all round weightlifting. He's wearing his lucky fishing shirt in this picture!!

John loved to fish as much as all round weightlifting. He’s wearing his lucky fishing shirt in this picture!!

This year the Dino Gym Challenge will be a tribute to the late John McKean.  John was a very influential person to me throughout the years I’ve been involved in the USAWA.   We have corresponded through the years with HUNDREDS of emails.  He had a wealth of information on all types of weightlifting which he enjoyed sharing with others.  Recently when I’ve been in the gym I’ve thought of John and questions I WISHED I would have asked him but didn’t.   He seemed to always have a good answer to every question!

So this years Dino Challenge will be about John.  I’ve thought “long and hard” on the lifts for this meet and wanted to pick lifts that I know John would have approved of.  John was all about the heavy pulling lifts so that is what we will be doing.  We are going to do the 2″ VB deadlift, only because John was the one who brought that lift forth in the USAWA as an official lift (and NOT because he loved the grip lifts!).

I have lots of stories I plan to share about John so come prepared for a long meet.

MEET DETAILS:

Meet Director:            Al Myers – Email: amyers@usawa.com

Meet Date:                 Saturday, January 21st,   10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Location:                    Dino Gym, 1126 Eden Road, Abilene, KS 67410

Sanction:                    U.S.A.W.A Memberships cards can be purchased on meet day

Weigh-ins:                  9:00-10:00 AM the day of the meet

Divisions:                   Depends who shows up

Awards:                     Don’t expect one

Entry Fee:                  None – but please notify me in advance if you plan to attend

Lifts:

1 x 2″ Vertical Bar Deadlift

Bentover Row/Power Row

1 Hand Dumbbell Deadlift

2 Bar Deadlift

Kennedy Lift

The lifts will be done is this order.

 

Dino Gym Challenge

By Al Myers

MEET RESULTS –

Dino Gym Challenge
“Art Montini Tribute”

Group picture from the 2022 Dino Gym Challenge

Group picture from the 2022 Dino Gym Challenge

The Dino Gym Challenge this year focused on a tribute to the late great lifter of the USAWA Art Montini.  Art was a friend to all lifters.  I picked lifts for the meet that Art really liked.  It gave quite a variety to this meet, which is the way Art would have liked it.

We had four lifters this year which is a little down, but with the bad weather “blowing in” I was glad to see a turnout.   Veteran Chad Ullom put on quite a show and easily won the overall crown.   His big middle fingers deadlift of 325 pounds and one arm deadlift of 400 pounds were impressive. LaVerne Myers made his comeback after his recent carpal tunnel surgeries on both arms, and lifted exceptionally.  Brandon Rein put in a solid performance for third overall, with the longtime Dino Gym member Dean Ross getting fourth.

After the meet we had a special lifting contest in the Arthur Lift to honor Art’s legacy.  Brandon is the only one of us still flexible enough to do this lift, and he did a fine 100 pound Arthur Lift to finish off the day.  I presented him and Chad each a tshirt from past Art’s Birthday Bash meets, which is now a collector’s item.

I especially want to thank Dave Glasgow and Clint Poore for helping me officiate throughout the day.

Clint Poore setting a new USAWA record in the Bench Press Feet in the Air!

Clint Poore setting a new USAWA record in the Bench Press Feet in the Air!

The following day we had a record day.   Clint made the long trip from Kentucky to put up some new USAWA records in the Dino Gym, and that HE DID!  I was super impressed with his big bench presses.   He even got introduced to the Foot Press, which seemed to excite him just a little bit (watch his video!)

I want to thank everyone for attending as it was another great day to remember in the Dino Gym.

Meet Details:

Dino Gym Challenge
Dino Gym
Abilene, KS
January 15-16th, 2022

Meet Director: Al Myers

Meet Scorekeeper: Al Myers

Meet Officials (3-officials system used): Al Myers, Dave Glasgow, Clint Poore

Lifts: Teeth Lift, Deadlift -Fingers-Middle, Deadlift – One Arm, Hip Lift

MENS DIVISION

LIFTER AGE Age Division BWT Weight Class Teeth DLMF DL1 Hip TOT PTS
Chad Ullom 50 50 230 105  — 325* 400R* 1320 2045 1879.7
LaVerne Myers 77 75 222 105  — 130* 180R 500 810 1025.5
Brandon Rein 26 Senior 153 70  — 155 180R 600 935 982.7
Dean Ross 79 75 189 90  39* 105* 115L* 400 659 936.1

Brandon Rein – 100 poundsArthur Lift for Record:

Notes:  All lifts recorded in pounds.  BWT is bodyweight in pounds. R and L designate right and left arms. TOT is total pounds lifted. PTS are overall adjusted points corrected for age and bodyweight. National records are denoted with an asterisk for the competition.

Record Day Lifts  (3 official system used):
Al Myers, LaVerne Myers, Chad Ullom, Clint Poore

Clint Poore – 48 years old, 246# BWT
Bench Press – Feet on Floor: 410 lbs/186KG
Bench Press – Feet in Air: 410 lbs/186KG
Hackenschmidt Floor Press: 424 lbs.
Reg Park Bench Press: 210 lbs.
Foot Press: 1213 lbs.

Chad Ullom – 50 years old, 231# BWT
Deadlift – Index Fingers: 209 lbs.
Piper Squat: 140 lbs.
Curl- Cheat, DB, Left Arm: 105 lbs.
Curl – Cheat, DB, Right Arm: 105 lbs.
Foot Press: 1213 lbs.

Al Myers – 55 years old, 231# BWT
Deadlift – Inch DB, Left Hand: 135 lbs.
Deadlift – Inch DB, Right Hand: 135 lbs.
Deadlift – Index Fingers: 199 lbs.
Pinch Grip Deadlift – Right Hand: 165 lbs.
Pinch Grip Deadlift – Left Hand: 165 lbs.

LaVerne Myers – 77 years old, 224# BWT
Deadlift – Inch DB, Left Hand: 135 lbs.
Deadlift – Inch DB, Right Hand: 135 lbs.
Deadlift – Index Fingers: 95 lbs.
Deadlift – Fulton DB, Left Arm: 165 lbs.
Deadlift – No Thumbs, Right Arm: 164 lbs

Dino Gym Challenge

By Al Myers

MEET ANNOUNCEMENT –

DINO GYM CHALLENGE featuring a “tribute to Art Montini”

Art Montini was a very dear friend to me.  It’s hard to believe that this spring is coming upon 4 years since his death.  I had the opportunity to travel with Art to many overseas IAWA competitions and spent many a nights rooming with him.  Art was a very intriguing man.  One thing I know for certain – he loved the USAWA and all round weightlifting. He was always looking forward to his next meet and continued to train daily until his passing.

I have decided to make the Dino Gym Challenge this year as a tribute to Art.  I picked several of Art’s favorite lifts for the competition.  He was truly an all rounder and liked most all the lifts, but I feel these were his favorites as he often picked them for record days and his Gold Cup lifts.   I just had to include a heavy lift in the meets lineup as Art loved his “chain lifts” and made it to many Heavy Lift Championships.  I would say the Hip Lift was his favorite.  He always had a heavy bar in Ambridge BBC all loaded up for the Hip Lift.

Of course, a meet in Art’s honor wouldn’t be complete without the Arthur Lift. Most would give credit for this lift to another Arthur, but Art did bring it to the USAWA so I’ll always say the Arthur Lift was named after Art Montini!!!

After the meet I will have food available so please make plans to stay awhile to grab a bite before you head home.  Art just loved his Italian food so that’s what the menu will be.

Please let me know if you plan to be here so I can make proper arrangements.  I’m hoping there will be many stories told about Art  throughout the day.  I know I have my share!!

 

MEET DETAILS:

Meet Director:            Al Myers and the Dino Gym 785-479-2264

Meet Date:                 Saturday, January 15th, 2022  1:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Location:                    Dino Gym, 1126 Eden Road, Abilene, KS 67410

Sanction:                    U.S.A.W.A Memberships cards can be purchased on meet day

Weigh-ins:                  12:00 -1:00 PM the day of the meet

Divisions:                   Juniors, Women, Masters, and Open

Awards:                      None

Entry:                         None – but please notify me in advance if you plan to attend

Lifts:

Teeth Lift

Deadlift – Fingers, Middle

Deadlift – One Arm

Hip Lift

A teeth bit and a hip harness will be available to use, but if you want to bring your own that is preferred.  A “shared” teeth bit probably wouldn’t meet any COVID precautionary protocols so if you got one please bring it.

After the meet there will be an exhibition Arthur Lift competition to honor Art and his legacy in the USAWA.  It will not count towards the meet total, but will have a special prize for the overall winner in the Arthur Lift based on adjusted points and an overall winner based on total pounds lifted.

The next day (Sunday) there may be a scheduled time for record day lifts, but that will depend on the interest.

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