Tag Archives: Nationals

2025 Nationals Update – Change of Venue and Hotel

by Clint Poore

A mighty day of strength to you!

      This update for the 2025 USAWA Nationals brings about change. The 2025 nationals meet location and hotel have both changed due to unforeseen issues. To be clear, Dale Hollow Lake State Resort had a structural collapse of a partial lodge building & walkway and is undergoing immediate emergency construction, according to the State Park. We appreciate the swift notice by Dale Hollow State Park and hopefully we get the opportunity to plan another meet there in future. 

      THERE IS ALWAYS A BACKUP PLAN! The backup plan will be to host the 2025 USAWA Nationals at Buffville Colosseum, which is located at 2608 North Highway 127 Business in Albany, Ky. It is a 16,000 square ft. warehouse and has hosted the Old Time Strongman World Championships in 2023 and the HackenDinnie Classic II in 2024. Now it will host the premier event for the USAWA, the 2025 USAWA NATIONALS!  

      Our hotel venue has changed as well. The new meet hotel for the 2025 USAWA Nationals is the Baymont Inn in Albany, Kentucky. Here are a few points to know about booking a room.

HOTEL – BAYMONT INN  phone #(606) 387-7238. You must call the Baymont Inn to receive the group rate. You will not receive the group rate if you book online through a third party.

Group code is USAWA

The Baymont Inn has a block of 20 rooms for the USAWA for 139 dollars per night plus tax, more rooms can be added if necessary.

You must call the Baymont Inn to make a reservation with the group code. This is peak season for Lake Cumberland and Dale Hollow Lake, meaning the rooms will only be held until June 8th. After June 8, the group code will no longer be available. Due to being the peak season for travelers, each reservation must be for a minimum of two nights, Friday & Saturday night. This is a destination location for travelers and you must book before the deadline of June 8th. If you wait to the last minute you may not get a room.

The National Meeting is currently scheduled for Friday, July 18 at 5 pm at Southern Kentucky Distillery (SKD). We are also having a Kentucky Bourbon Distillery visit at 2 pm which will be followed by the National Meeting. Kentucky is World Famous for its Bourbon and anyone who is interested can take the Bourbon Distillery tour for 15 dollars. It’s a very fun and insightful tour that everyone can enjoy.  

With all these new updates/changes the 2025 USAWA Nationals and National Meeting are planned and ready to lead the USAWA into a glorious future! Until the next update………..

Here is the current roster of 24 confirmed lifters.

(Please make sure all entries are paid online at the Eventbrite link on the entry form)

Beth Skwarecki
Allison Lupo
Jessica Hopps
Chris Frappier
Kyle Frappier
Jerry Wilson
Jeff Bankens
Isaac Bankens
Clint Poore
Ashley Stearns
Abe Smith 
Randy Richey
John Bunch
Jarrod Gaddis
Sanjiv Gupta
Tony Lupo
Randy Smith
David DeForest
Chad Ullom
Toby Ortega
Frank Ciavattone
Dan Jones
Wade Marchand
Nils Larson

Many more to be added

BE STRONG!

Clint Poore

2025 USAWA NATIONALS (Albany, KY)

NOTE CHANGE IN LOCATION – DALE HOLLOW IS UNABLE TO HOST US AS PLANNED. THE COMPETITION VENUE AND HOTEL HAVE BOTH BEEN CHANGED. (Updated 4/4/2025)

SATURDAY, JULY 19, 2025

LOCATION: BUFFVILLE COLOSSEUM

2608 North Highway 127 Business

Albany, KY 42602

WEIGH-INS:  SATURDAY, JULY 19TH @ 8 AM – 9:30 AM ,

NATIONALS LIFTING: 10:00 AM (CENTRAL STANDARD TIME)

THE LIFTS: 

  • HACKENSCHMIDT FLOOR PRESS
  • DINNIE LIFT
  • SAXON DEADLIFT
  • DUMBBELLL TO SHOULDER 

ENTRY DEADLINE – JULY 1, 2025 – Late entries will not be accepted. (NOTE CHANGE IN DEADLINE, NOW 7/1 NOT 7/5)

ENTRY FEE:  60 dollars and you must register online at the link provided: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/usawa-nationals-2025-tickets-946795770637

CONTACT INFORMATION:clintpoore@hotmail.com or by phone at 606-688-2600.

USAWA MEMBERSHIP REQUIRED: Memberships are required for all participants prior to the meet. Please go to USAWA.COM to purchase your memberships prior to the meet. 

AWARDS: Best Lifter Awards to the overall male & female champion, Masters Best Lifter for male & female & medals for all lifters. Each lifter will receive a USAWA NATIONALS t-shirt. You must give your t-shirt size on the online entry form

SCHEDULE:

FRIDAY – SKD (SOUTHERN KENTUCKY DISTILLERY) tour & Kentucky Bourbon tasting at 2 pm

FRIDAY – USAWA National Meeting at 5 pm at South Kentucky Distillery. 

SATURDAY – 2025 USAWA NATIONALS at Buffville Colosseum

HOTEL – BAYMONT INN  phone #(606) 387-7238. You must call the Baymont Inn to receive the group rate. You will not receive the group rate if you book online by a third party.

Group code is USAWA

The Baymont Inn has a block of 20 rooms for the USAWA for 139 dollars plus tax per night, more rooms can be added if necessary.

You must call to the Baymont Inn to make a reservation with the group code. This is peak season for Lake Cumberland and Dale Hollow Lake and the rooms will be held until June 8th. After June 8, the group code will no longer be available. Due to being the peak season for travelers, each reservation must be for two nights, Friday & Saturday night. This is a destination location for travelers and you must book before the deadline of June 8th. If you wait to the last minute you may not get a room.

LOCAL TOUR: We are scheduling a Bourbon tasting tour at SKD (Southern Kentucky Distillery) on Friday. If you are interested in going on a tour of the local Bourbon Distillery and doing some Kentucky Bourbon tasting, please let me know. 

Nationals results 2022

By Eric Todd

Nationals 2022 in Lebanon, PA

Nationals 2022 in Lebanon, PA

Nationals 2022 is over and in the books, and what a nationals it was! Karen and Steve Gardner joined us from over in the United Kingdom to help out.  Several lifters who have lifted together and against each other for 30 years or better showed up to do battle.  It was truly some of the OGs (original gangsters-for those of you all-rounders who are not hip) and it was very cool to see.  We also had what may have been the very youngest lifter at nationals in Daphne Lansdown.  Don’t quote me on this, as I am not going to go back through decades of files, but Daphne lifted at nationals at an age of 6 years old, and her energy was refreshing.

6 year old Daphne Lansdown executing a clean and press

6 year old Daphne Lansdown executing a clean and press

It was also exciting to watch the bitter rivalry unfold between Grandfather and Grandson.  The old dog (Denny) and the young pup (Aiden) went back and forth all day.  Last year’s national and world champion, Beth Skwarecki was on hand to defend her crown.  Big Frank Ciavattone was on hand.  Frank is the leader of Frank’s Barbell Club, and has many national and world titles to his name.

Frank Ciavattone breaking a record in the Deadlift-Fulton Dumbbell-1 Arm

Frank Ciavattone breaking a record in the Deadlift-Fulton Dumbbell-1 Arm

Barry Pensyl made it out to compete as well.  I enjoyed Barry’s stories of lifting for Bob Hoffman with the old York Barbell outfit.  Barry Bryan served as our head official, while Judy Habecker recorded attempts and Steve Gardner served as a very competent announcer. The banquet this year was some amazing barbeque prepared by Judy and served at the Habecker residence.  The lifting this day was great, and the experience one I will remember.

MEET RESULTS:

2022 USAWA National Championships
Habecker residence, Lebanon, Pennsylvania
June 25th, 2022

Meet Director: Denny Habecker

Meet Announcer: Steve Gardner

Meet Scorekeeper: Judy Habecker

Meet Loaders: Barry Bryan and all the lifters pitched in

Officials: Head Official-Barry Bryan

Side Officials: Karen Gardner, Beth Skwarecki, Denny Habecker, Frank                                                  Ciavattone, Barry Pensyl, Eric Todd

Lifts: Clean and Push press, Deadlift-Fulton Dumbbell-1 arm, Continental to Belt, Pullover and Press, Deadlift-Trap Bar

Notes: BWT is bodyweight in kilos. All lifts recorded in kilos.  R and L designate right and left.  * denotes a record lift.  ^ denotes a record in the national competition category. 

WOMEN’S DIVISION

Lifter age age division weight weight class Clean and Push press DL-Fulton DB-1 arm Continental to belt Pullover and Press DL-Trap bar total adjusted points place
Beth Skwarecki 41 40 66.7 70 55*^ 45(L)*^ 97.5*^ 60*^ 140 397.5 579 1st
Daphne Lansdown 6 13 22.1 25 7.5*^ 7(R)*^ 12.5*^ 12.5*^ 24 63.5 299.8 2nd

Extra Attempts for records:

Daphne Lansdown-Deadlift-Fulton Dumbbell-1 arm-9.0 (R)

Daphne Lansdown-Deadlift-Trap bar- 30

Beth Skwarecki-Clean and Pushpress-56

MEN’S DIVISION

Lifter age age division weight weight class Clean and Push press DL-Fulton DB-1 arm Continental to belt Pullover and Press DL-Trap bar total adjusted points place
Denny Habecker 79 75 86.8 90 47.5 55(R)^ 100 75 125 402.5 567.9 1st
Eric Todd 47 45 122 125 102.5*^ 57.5(L) 182.5 145*^ 190 677.5 559.8 2nd
Bary Pensyl 74 70 63.7 65 35* 37.5(R)*^ 80* 55 110*^ 320 513.1 3rd
Aidan Habecker 18 18 87.4 90 55 60(R)*^ 120* 67.5 190* 482.5 453.8 4th
Frank Ciavattone 67 65 127.4 125+ 25* 78(R)*^ 70 65* 90 327.5 318.9 5th

Extra Attempts for records:

Barry Pensyl-Deadlift-Fulton Dumbbell-1 arm-40

Denny Habecker- Clean and Push press -56

President and this years national meet promoter crowns your 2022 overall champion: Beth Skwarecki!

President and this years national meet promoter crowns your 2022 overall champion: Beth Skwarecki!

Best Lifter Awards

Women’s Master: Beth Skwarecki

Women’s Junior: Daphne Lansdown

Women’s Overall: Beth Skwarecki

Men’s Master: Denny Habecker

Men’s Junior: Aiden Habecker

Men’s Master 45-49: Eric Todd

Men’s Master 70-74 Barry Pensyl

Men’s master 65-69: Frank Ciavattone

Highest Total: Eric Todd

Overall Grand Champion: Beth Skwarecki

 

National Championships

By Al Myers

2021 USAWA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Group picture from the 2021 USAWA National Championships.

Group picture from the 2021 USAWA National Championships.

After a year and a half of COVID shutdown in the USAWA, we finally all gathered together for a big competition. It was very exciting for me to see lifters I haven’t seen in a long time.  I held the meet in my gym, like I did for the Nationals in 2009.

It was great to see a wide range of lifters starting with the two Junior lifters Leroy and Phoebe, to ole veterans of the USAWA like LaVerne, Denny and Dean competing. Several different clubs of the USAWA had entered lifters – the Dino Gym, Clark’s Gym, Habecker’s Gym, KC Strongman, and even a lifter from the Ambridge Club.

The overall women’s champion was Beth Skwarecki.  Beth  made her big mark in our sport at the 2019 IAWA World Championships where she was crowned overall best women’s lifter.  She is a great all round lifting talent and I expect she will be a top contender for quite some time in the USAWA.   The young Phoebe Todd at only 10 years old showed great form on the lifts and has a very bright future.

The overall men’s champion was Abe Smith out of Clark’s Championship Gym.  Abe has been competing “off and on” in the USAWA for over 20 years with his last Nationals appearance being in 2001 where he was the overall Runner Up.  I would say he’s been waiting his turn to win the overall, and it was well deserved as he was solid in all the lifts.  Weighing in at only 173 pounds he still posted the top total of the meet.

Runner up in the men’s division went to the long time USAWA lifter Randy Smith (no relation to Abe!) from Michigan, or as Randy says the UP.  Randy doesn’t make it to many USAWA meets throughout the year but he seems to always be at the Nationals.  Randy is a past overall Nationals Champion, winning the title in 2015 at York Barbell. At the day’s end, Randy was the overall Master’s Champion.

Third place went to Mike McBride. Mike is also a past overall champion of Nationals, winning his title in 2005 in Youngstown.  It’s been a few years since I’ve got to see Mike lift, but he hasn’t changed a bit.  He’s a pure technician on the lifts and I was quite impressed with his old school technique in the one arm snatch.

I was extremely impressed by everyone’s lifting. I have several people I want to personally thank for their help during the day.  To start with, Chad Ullom spent the day at the table with me doing all the scorekeeping without making a single mistake.  Eric Todd and Denny Habecker spent their off lifting session in the head officials chair, while Thom Van Vleck and Dave Glasgow spent the entire day officiating.  I want to thank Lance Foster for leading up the loading crew all day along with everyone who helped him out.  Lastly I want to thank my personal assistant Faith for all she did, especially with getting the food out on time!!!

MEET RESULTS:

2021 USAWA National Championships
Dino Gym, Holland, Kansas
June 19th, 2021

Meet Director: Al Myers

Meet Announcer: Al Myers

Meet Scorekeeper: Chad Ullom

Meet Loaders: Lance Foster and others

Officials: Eric Todd, Denny Habecker, Thom Van Vleck, Dave Glasgow

Lifts: Curl – Cheat, Snatch – One Arm, Clean and Press – Heels Together, Deadlift – Fulton Bar, Ciavattone Grip, Deadlift – One Arm

WOMENS DIVISION

LIFTER AGE BWT Curl Sna C&P DL DL1 TOT PTS
Beth Skwarecki 40 152 105 70R 90 190 200R 655 698.6
Phoebe Todd 10 116 40 20R 38 85 70R 253 431.9

EXTRA ATTEMPTS FOR RECORD:

Beth Skwarecki: Snatch One Arm Right – 75
Beth Skwarecki: Clean and Press Heels Together – 95
Beth Skwarecki: Deadlift One Arm Right – 210

MENS DIVISION

LIFTER AGE BWT Curl Sna C&P DL DL1 TOT PTS
Abe Smith 39 173 190 120L 210 315 285R 1120 1088.9
Randy Smith 66 193 155 80R 125 260 265R 885 1031.2
Mike McBride 44 224 205 105L 165 295 285R 1055 930.1
Eric Todd 46 250 200 115R 190 230 350R 1085 921.2
Denny Habecker 78 188 90 45R 90 205 205R 635 893.3
Dave DeForest 61 195 140 85R 125 225 210R 785 867.7
LaVerne Myers 77 224 100 45L 35 270 195R 645 812.3
John Strangeway 43 213 100 100L 100 300 200L 800 716.8
Chris Todd 41 259 165 90R 155 220 220R 850 675.8
Dean Ross 78 191 55 30L 0 155 100L 340 473.8
Leroy Todd 10 79 35 15R 30 45 35R 160 399.3

EXTRA ATTEMPTS FOR RECORDS:

None

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

BEST LIFTER AWARDS

Women’s Junior – Phoebe Todd
Women’s Master – Beth Skwarecki
Women’s Overall – Beth Skwarecki
Men’s Junior – Leroy Todd
Men’s Senior – Abe Smith
Men’s Master 40 to 44 – Mike McBride
Men’s Master 45 to 49 – Eric Todd
Men’s Master 60 to 64 – Dave DeForest
Men’s Master 65 to 69 – Randy Smith
Men’s Master 75 to 79 – Denny Habecker
Men’s Master Overall – Randy Smith
Men’s Overall – Abe Smith
Men’s Top Total – Abe Smith
Overall Top Club – Clark’s Gym (Randy Smith, Mike McBride, Abe Smith, and Dave DeForest)
Runner Up Club – KC Strongman (Eric Todd, Chris Todd, Leroy Todd, Phoebe Todd, and Johnny Strangeway)