Tag Archives: Newcomer Award

Newcomer of the Year Award

By Eric Todd

Nick Frieders awarded the Newcomer of the Year Award!

Nick Frieders awarded the Newcomer of the Year Award!

The Newcomer of the year award is described as such:

This award goes to an individual who in new to the USAWA or has become involved again. It doesn’t have to go to someone in their first year of being involved in the USAWA.

This year, the winner in this category is Nick Frieders from Clark’s Gym.  He started off strong by winning third place in the second quarter postal.  He successfully completed all 11 lifts at Clark’s birthday weekend, and outright won three of the events.  Nick was fifth overall in the 2022 Postal Championship, and was eighth this year in the first quarter postal.  He most recently competed in the bench Press Decathlon.  Nick is an energetic young lifter, and seemingly has a bright future in the USAWA.  Well deserved, Nick.  Congratulations!

Newcomer Award Winner!

By Al Myers

John Strangeway (left) receiving the USAWA Newcomer Award from Al Myers (right).

John Strangeway (left) receiving the USAWA Newcomer Award from Al Myers (right).

A big CONGRATS goes to this year’s Newcomer Award Winner Johnny Strangeway.   Johnny has been a great addition to the USAWA and very, very deserving of this award.  He lifts with the KCSTRONGMAN Club and has been present at many events during the past couple of years.  I was honored to present him with this award at the recent OTSM World Postal at the Dino Gym.

Also, Scottish Johnny just earned official judging status in the USAWA by being approved as a new USAWA Certified Official. He is now on the list of Level 1 Test Qualified Officials.

Newcomer Award Winners

by Al Myers

Logan Kressly (right) receiving his USAWA Newcomer Award from 2014 USAWA Meet Promoter Tim Piper (left) at the National Championships.

I always enjoy the USAWA Annual Awards presentation. This program to recognize outstanding accomplishments was started in 2010. The program is funded by the USAWA bank account, and all award winners are chosen by the membership. This means if you win one of these awards – it is because your peers deemed you worthy. That means much more than one individual making the choices, or a selection committee deciding.

The first award given out was the Newcomer Award. This award is defined as, “This award goes to an individual who is new to the USAWA or has become involved again in the organization. It recognizes a lifter who has shown great involvement or outstanding performance throughout the past year. it doesn’t have to be someone in their first year involved in the USAWA. “

Two very deserving lifters earned this award this year –

WINNER – MIKE MCINTYRE

RUNNER UP – LOGAN KRESSLY

Mike, lifting for the JWC, made a big impact in the USAWA during the prior year.  He competed in several competitions promoted by Thom Van Vleck, and in my 2013 Dino Gym Challlenge OTSM competition.  It was at that meet that Mike caught my attention when he performed a 410 pound Hackenschmidt Floor Press.  Last December Mike placed 3rd overall in the USAWA Old Time Strongman Championships, in a very tough field of lifters. I was extremely impressed with his 315 pound Anderson Press in that meet!  Mike was not on hand at the Awards ceremony to receive his award so Thom Van Vleck accepted it on his behalf.

Logan, lifting for the Ledaig Heavy Athletics, has shown great improvement over the past year in his lifting.  At only 16 years old, his future is bright as lifter. Last year Logan competed in the USAWA Team Championships, and paired with Jera Kressly, to win the overall award in the mixed pairs division.  He entered the 2014 Dino Gym Challenge, a tribute to Warren Lincoln Travis, and placed 3rd overall competing against many seasoned all rounders.  His 1300# Harness Lift and 1600# Back Lift impressed me the most.  You often do not see young lifters put up big lifts in the heavy lifts. At my record day last February he did a 550 pound Dinnie Lift!  And at this meet, the 2014 Nationals, he was crowned outstanding Junior Lifter.  I would say he has had a great year in the USAWA!

Congrats to both of these guys!

NEWCOMER AWARD WINNERS

by Al Myers

James Fuller (left) receiving the Runner Up Newcomer Award following the 2013 USAWA National Championships. The award was presented by USAWA President Denny Habecker (right).

I always enjoy the USAWA Annual Awards presentation.  This program to recognize outstanding accomplishments was started in 2010.  The program is funded by the USAWA bank account, and all award winners are chosen by the membership.  This means if you win one of these awards – it is because your peers deemed you worthy.  That means much more than one individual making the choices, or a selection committee deciding. 

The first award given out was the Newcomer Award.  This award is defined as, “This award goes to an individual who is new to the USAWA or has become involved again in the organization.  It recognizes a lifter who has shown great involvement or outstanding performance throughout the past year.  it doesn’t have to be someone in their first year involved in the USAWA. “

This year Award Winners are:

WINNER – RUTH JACKSON

RUNNER UP – JAMES FULLER

James was on hand at Nationals to receive his award.  I know Ruth has made plans to attend the Team Championships in August at the Dino Gym, so I plan to present her award to her then.  Congrats to both of these lifters!!!!

Newcomer Award

by Al Myers

Newcomer Award runnerup winner LaVerne Myers (center), with presenters Al Myers (left) and Denny Habecker (right). Newcomer Award winner Dean Ross was not in attendance to accept his award.

One of the exciting things that is done every year at the National Championships is awarding our USAWA yearly recognition awards.  This program started in 2009, and gives recognition to those lifters that have excelled throughout the prior year.  There are several award categories, and each winning recipient is chosen by the USAWA membership by a nomination/voting process.  This makes winning one of these awards all that much more special, because you know you are picked by your peers for it. 

The Newcomer Award goes to an individual that is new to the USAWA, or someone who is making a comeback in the organization.  It doesn’t have to be someone who just started.  This years winners have been involved in the USAWA for a few years, but both of these lifters have really “amped up” their USAWA involvement this past year.  The winners are:

WINNER – DEAN ROSS

RUNNER UP – LAVERNE MYERS

Dean has been on “a roll” this year.  He has competed in numerous USAWA events this past year, including several Championship competitions (Team Championships, Grip Championships,  and the OTSM Championships).  There has not been very many local events that Dean has missed!   Runnerup went to LaVerne Myers, who made his “National Debut” at this years meet in Vegas. 

Congrats to both of these guys for winning the NEWCOMER AWARD!!

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