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Dino Gym Challenge

By Al Myers

DINO GYM CHALLENGE

“The Tom Ryan Memorial Meet”

Eric Todd (left) recieved his award from Thom Van Vleck (right) for being the Athlete of the Year Runner Up for last year at the Dino Gym Challenge. Eric went on to win the Overall Best Lifter at the 2018 Dino Gym Challenge.

Eric Todd (left) received his award from Thom Van Vleck (right) for being the USAWA Athlete of the Year Runner Up for last year at the Dino Gym Challenge. Eric went on to win the Overall Best Lifter at the 2018 Dino Gym Challenge.

It was another great year for the Dino Gym Challenge! Eight brave lifters made their way to the platform for an exciting day of lifting, honoring the late Tom Ryan. Many stories were told about Tom throughout the day, along with many great lifts made to honor him.  I hope he was looking down on us throughout the day with a smile on his face.

We had a celebrity official present, Thom Van Vleck.  Thom made the long drive to the Dino Gym from Kirksville, MO  just to officiate the Dino Gym Challenge.  I can’t express my thanks to him for doing this as it allowed my dad and I to participate. Usually one of us has to sit it out to judge. I picked lifts for this meet which were Tom Ryan’s favorites, and it was quite the variety! We started the meet off with the Weaver Stick. LaVerne showed us AGAIN his mighty grip by having the top lift in the Weaver Stick at 6 pounds.  I think he could have got 7 pounds, but when asked if he wanted a fourth attempt at record he said he would pass, as Tom Ryan has the top Weaver Stick record in the USAWA at 7 pounds and he wanted to let Tom keep that All Time record to himself (at least on this day!).

The next lift was the Rectangular Fix.  The youngest member in attendance, Calvin, did a fantastic lift of 80 pounds. Chad did 105 in competition and then did 120 as a fourth attempt which was easier than his 105! That was the top Rectangular Fix of the meet.

We then moved onto the One handed thumbless grip deadlift. Tom Ryan excelled at this lift, having done 254 pounds.  No one came close to that!  Dad must have still felt the sting from the loss to me in this lift at the Gold Cup last fall as he called for (and did) 201 pounds right after I did 200 pounds on my second attempt. Well, if I was a good son I probably should have just let him have his revenge victory and passed my last attempt but NOPE, I called for 202 pounds for a successfull third lift just to let everyone know that it wasn’t a fluke I beat him in this lift at the Gold Cup!

Next up was the Reeves Deadlift. Big John Douglas and Chad both hit 300 pounds for the top Reeves Deadlift of the day. It was at this point of the meet that I got a call for a work emergency, and I had to leave to take care of it and missed the rest of the meet.  I checked over the scorekeepers report and noticed that LaVerne was leading after 4 events and ET was standing in 7th place. I had a feeling that this wasn’t going to be the case after the final event, the Hip Lift. Well, when I got back and NOT TO MY SURPRISE Eric put up a HUGE hip lift of 2010 pounds to seal the victory in the Dino Gym Challenge. Chad came in second, and Calvin finished third for an outstanding finish in this tough field of all rounders.

I want to really thank everyone who attended, as it means alot to me when lifters show up to support my promotions. It was a great day of fun, and a fitting tribute to Tom Ryan.

Meet Results:

2018 Dino Gym Challenge
Dino Gym, Holland, Kansas
Saturday, January 27th, 2018

Meet Director: Al Myers

Meet Scorekeeper: Al Myers and Chad Ullom

Official (1-official system used): Thom Van Vleck

Lifts: Weaver Stick, Rectangular Fix, Deadlift – No Thumb One Hand, Reeves Deadlift, Hip Lift

MENS DIVISION

LIFTER AGE BWT WS Fix DLNT RDL Hip TOT PTS
Eric Todd 43 260 3R 90 185R 265 2010 2553 2065.2
Chad Ullom 46 245 5R 105 195R 300 1540 2145 1839.6
Calvin Heit 15 150 3R 80 150R 180 940 1353 1657.4
John Douglas 54 315 5R 95 175R 300 1220 1795 1467.5
LaVerne Myers 73 234 6L 76 201L 230 520 1033 1136.0
Dean Ross 75 236 3R 70 135L 200 520 928 1031.3
Al Myers 51 230 5R 90 202R 280 —– 577 535.2
Lance Foster 52 330 4R 85 135R 200 —– 424 332.7

EXTRA ATTEMPTS FOR RECORDS

Chad Ullom Rectangular Fix 120 lbs.

Notes: BWT is bodyweight in pounds. All lifts recorded 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.

RECORD DAY LIFTS

Al Myers – Age 51, Bodyweight 230 pounds
Vertical Bar Deadlift – 1 Bar, 1″, Left Hand: 210 pounds
Vertical Bar Deadlift – 1 Bar, 1″, Right Hand: 185 pounds
Saxon Snatch: 76 pounds
Deadlift – Inch Dumbbell, Right Hand: 130 pounds
Deadlift – Inch Dumbbell, Left Hand: 130 pounds

LaVerne Myers – Age 73, Bodyweight 236 pounds
Deadlift – No Thumbs, Overhand Grip: 250 pounds
Scott Lift: 70 pounds
Deadlift – Fulton Bar: 255 pounds
Jefferson Lift – Fulton Bar: 255 pounds

Thom Van Vleck – Age 53, Bodyweight 280 pounds
Reeves Deadlift: 235 pounds
Deadlift – Ring Fingers: 165 pounds
Thors Hammer: 51 pounds
Snatch – Dumbbell, Right: 105 pounds
Snatch – Dumbbell, Left: 95 pounds

Dino Gym Challenge

by Al Myers

MEET ANNOUNCEMENT
DINO GYM CHALLENGE PRESENTS THE –

“Tom Ryan Memorial Meet”

A year ago we lost a very good friend and longtime supporter in the USAWA with the passing of Tom Ryan. I had known Tom for over 15 years and often communicated with him via emails weekly. He would help me with any historical question involving weightlifting as he seemed to remember everything from his time in the iron game. I often invited him to the Dino Gym for one of my competitions but his health prevented it in his later years. He told me many times that “if he could” he would make the trip to my place from his home near Atlanta.

So I’ve decided this year we will honor Tom in dedicating the Dino Gym Challenge to him.  I was initially going to have this years meet as a tribute to John Grimek.  I had even decided on lifts – picking some of Grimek’s pet lifts for the meet. But the other day working out I got to thinking about Tom and his passion for the All Rounds, and this lead to me making the change for this year.   John Grimek was one of Tom Ryan’s heros in the sport.  I knew Tom well enough that I know this would have amused him greatly in my chosing him over the great John Grimek!

I picked five of Tom’s favorite lifts for the meet, and ones he still holds USAWA records in. I’ve been fortunate to have witnessed many of them myself as years ago he would travel to Clark’s Gym for meets and record days that I was at.   Tom still holds close to 25 USAWA records.  He has outstanding records in the Weaver Stick (7 pounds), the One handed thumbless deadlift (254 pounds), and the Rectangular Fix (95 pounds done over the age of 60).  It will take some great lifting at the Dino Challenge to see any of these marks of Tom’s exceeded.

MEET DETAILS:

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

Meet Date:                 Saturday, January 27th, 2018  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:

Weaver Stick

Rectangular Fix

Deadlift – No Thumb, One Hand

Reeves Deadlift

Hip Lift

The lifts will be done is this order. After the meet there will be time for record day lifts.

Dino Gym Challenge

By Al Myers

MEET ANNOUNCEMENT –

Dino Gym Challenge -“The Triple Deuce”

The Dino Gym Challenge has been a yearly event in the USAWA for many years now.  Each year I try to have a different theme with different lifts. No two Dino Gym Challenges have been the same.  This year it is going to be the “triple deuce”.  Three different groupings of 2 lifts, with each lift using either 2 bars, 2 dumbbells, or 2 pieces of equipment. It will be a truly all round event with pressing, deadlifting, curling, and grip strength involved.

MEET DETAILS:

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

Meet Date:                 Saturday, January 14th, 2017  10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

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

Sanction:                    U.S.A.W.A Membership required to participate.

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

Divisions:                   Juniors, Women, Masters, and Open

Awards:                      None

Entry Form/Fee:        None – but please notify me in advance if attending

Lifts:

Special Equipment Lifts:

Deadlift – 2 Inch Dumbbells
Vertical Bar Deadlift – 2 Bars, 2″

Dumbbell Lifts:

Clean and Press – 2 Dumbbells
Curl – 2 Dumbbells, Cheat

Bar Lifts:

Reg Park Bench Press
Deadlift – 2 Bars

After the meet and the next day there will be time for record day lifts.

Dino Gym Challenge

by Al Myers

DINO GYM CHALLENGE
The Mike “Murdo” Murdock Memorial Meet

Group picture from the 2016 Dino Gym Challenge.

Group picture from the 2016 Dino Gym Challenge.

The weather was great, the day was great, and the lifting was great!  That sums up this year’s Dino Gym Challenge.  I was SO impressed with the lifters that showed for this year’s Dino Gym Challenge.  Mary and Tressa made the trip from Nebraska, Lance and ET from Missouri, Dean from Oklahoma, and Denny and Art from Pennsylvania. Add in Dave, Chad, and Emily from Kansas and we had FIVE STATES represented!  Quite impressive for a gym meet in Holland, Kansas.

Emily Burchett made her lifting debut in the USAWA.  Emily is an excellent highland game thrower and has been throwing for many years.  I remember her start in the games over 10 years ago.  I think she started competing when she was 12 or 13.  Her lifting was superb – and she seemed to get stronger on the lifts as she learned them with further attempts. Her explosive strength that she has developed from the HG showed – as demonstrated by her 80 pound dumbbell swing!

It is always a pleasure having Mary and Tressa at meets.  They are full of energy and bring everyone’s lifting “up a notch”. I want to thank Dean for purposing that we do the Dino Gym Challenge this year in honor of the memory of Mike Murdock.  Dean and I picked 5 of Mike’s favorite lifts for this meet.  Several stories were shared about Mike throughout the day.  We will never forget Murdo and the influence he has had on us and the USAWA.

I can’t say enough about Denny and Art.  These two made the long trip from PA in a car.  Very few would drive 2 days to a meet, lift for 2 days, and then drive 2 days home.  Add on that they will do this again within the month when they come back for the Grip Championships!

Great lifts that I will remember: Emily’s 80# DB Swing, Mary’s 165# Bent Over Row, ET’s 130# Crucifix, Dave’s 105# Rectangular Fix (should I mention that this was the top fix of the meet?), and Chad’s “near miss” at a 600# Trap Bar Deadlift.

I want to thank my dad LaVerne for judging the event and my wife Leslie for providing the lunch.  Another great Dino Gym Challenge has been put “in the books”!

MEET RESULTS:

Dino Gym Challenge
Dino Gym
Abilene, Kansas
January 16th & 17th, 2016

Meet Promoter: Al Myers

Official (1-official system used): LaVerne Myers

Lifts: Crucifix, One Arm DB Swing, Rectangular Fix, Bent Over Row, Trap Bar Deadlift

WOMENS DIVISION

LIFTER AGE BWT CR SW FIX ROW DL TOT PTS
Emily Burchett 24 152 50 75R 55 105 198 483 510.0
Tressa Brooner 54 130 40 35R 35 90 176 376 509.5
Mary McConnaughey 56 312 60 55R 55 155 220 545 455.0

EXTRA ATTEMPTS FOR RECORDS:
Emily Burchett DB Swing 80#R
Emily Burchett Rectangular Fix 60#
Emily Burchett Bent over Row 160#
Tressa Brooner DB Swing 40#R
Mary McConnaughey Bent Over Row 165#

MENS DIVISION

LIFTER AGE BWT CR SW FIX ROW DL TOT PTS
Al Myers 49 230 70 105R 85 275 529 1064 969.2
Chad Ullom 44 255 40 125L 90 275 562 1092 900.7
Dave Glasgow 62 260 50 95L 105 225 429 904 864.9
Denny Habecker 73 196 60 70R 70 185 308 693 838.8
Dean Ross 73 258 60 55L 70 185 341 711 743.9
Art Montini 88 172 40 30L 35 80 203 388 563.8
Lance Foster 50 340 40 60R 80 245 308 733 557.3
Eric Todd 41 258 120 65R 95 175 220 675 537.6

EXTRA ATTEMPTS FOR RECORDS:
Eric Todd Crucifix 130#
Denny Habecker Bent Over Row 195#
Dean Ross Crucifix 70#
Dean Ross Bent Over Row 195#

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

RECORD DAY LIFTS

Officials (3-official system used): Al Myers, Chad Ullom, Denny Habecker, LaVerne Myers, Art Montini

Chad Ullom – Age 44 years, BWT 258#
Weaver Stick  4#
Vertical Bar Deadlift – 1 Bar, 2″, Left Hand 142#
Press – Dumbbell, Left Arm 100#
Abdominal Raise – Roman Chair 70#
Deadlift – Stiff Leg 375#

Al Myers – Age 49 years, BWT 230#
Deadlift – Inch DB, Left Hand 140#
Deadlift – Inch DB, Right Hand 140#
Deadlift – 2 Inch DB’s 250#
Abdominal Raise – Roman Chair 70#
Bench Press – Roman Chair 170#

LaVerne Myers – Age 71 years, BWT 243#
Deadlift – Fulton DB, Left Hand 165#
Weaver Stick 5#
Deadlift – Inch DB, Left Hand 140#
Deadlift – Inch DB, Right Hand 140#
Vertical Bar Deadlift – 1 Bar, 2″, Right Hand 177#

Denny Habecker – Age 73 years, BWT 197#
Deadlift – Fulton DB, Left Hand 100#
Deadlift – Fulton DB, Right Hand 100#
Weaver Stick 2#
Deadlift – Inch DB, Left Hand 50#
Deadlift – Inch DB, Right Hand 85#

Art Montini – Age 88 years, BWT 171#
Deadlift – Fulton DB, Right Hand 60#
Deadlift – Fulton DB, Left Hand 60#
Deadlift – 2 Fulton DB’s 120#
Deadleft – Inch DB, Left Hand 50#
Deadlift – Inch DB, Right Hand 50#

Dino Gym Challenge

by Al Myers

MEET ANNOUNCEMENT
DINO GYM CHALLENGE PRESENTS THE –

Mike “Murdo” Murdock Memorial Meet

A year ago the USAWA lost a very close friend in Mike Murdock. Murdo was a mainstay at most all the events I’ve held at the Dino Gym over the past 10 years.  He would do it all at meets – lift, officiate, load, and coach.  He never let me down when he would say he would be here to do something.  He was that “type of guy”.

Last summer fellow Dino Gym member Dean Ross and I were visiting at Dave’s Club Championship about Murdo – and Dean suggested that we dedicate the Dino Challenge to Murdo this year.  And part of the event would be that we would do several of Mike’s favorite lifts as a tribute to him.  Of course, I thought this was an OUTSTANDING IDEA!

I have many, many good stories that I could tell about Murdo. But as anyone who knew him knew that he was a very private person, so out of respect I will keep those stories for private conversations and not “broadcast” them on the website.  That’s the way Murdo would have preferred it.

Please put the Dino Challenge and the Murdo Memorial on your lifting calendar this January.

MEET DETAILS:

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

Meet Date:                 Saturday, January 16th, 2016  10:00 AM – 4:00 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:                   Juniors, Women, Masters, and Open

Awards:                      None

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

Lifts:

Crucifix

Swing – Dumbbell, One Arm

Rectangular Fix

Bent Over Row

Trap Bar Deadlift

After the meet and the next day there will be time for record day lifts.

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