Records Race
by Al Myers
After the recent activity of several record days and meets, I thought it would be a good time to revisit the USAWA Records Race between Denny “Prez” Habecker and Art “Man of Steel” Montini. After Worlds, Denny was holding a slight lead over Art for most current records held in the USAWA (4 records). It is still very close, but Denny has increased his lead over Art. These two are WAY AHEAD of the rest of the field, and I have a feeling the battle between the two of them will continue for quite some time. I have expanded the list from the TOP TEN to the lifters who hold over 100 USAWA current records. I’m going to call it the CENTURY CLUB, which seems appropriate since most lifters in it are approaching that age! To date, there are 20 lifters who hold over 100 USAWA records. Special recognition goes to Scott Schmidt – the most recent addition to this elite group of lifters.
1. 361 Denny Habecker
2. 350 Art Montini
3. 225 John McKean
4. 216 Bill Clark
5. 214 Noi Phumchona
6. 207 Dennis Mitchell
6. 207 Frank Ciavattone
8. 204 Joe Garcia
9. 201 Bob Hirsh
10. 195 Al Myers
11. 171 Howard Prechtel
12. 138 Dale Friesz
13. 137 Jim Malloy
14. 134 Ed Schock
15. 123 John Monk
16. 118 Mary McConnaughey
17. 114 Chris Waterman
18. 110 Joshua Monk
19. 106 John Vernacchio
20. 106 Scott Schmidt
Congratulations to JIM MALLOY – who just recently passed the USAWA Rules Test. Jim has now joined the ranks of a LEVEL 2 Official – which includes passing the Rules Test and having the experience of officiating in over 25 USAWA/IAWA competitions. I want to point out that all certified officials (both level 1 and level 2) have the same authority as officials. “Level 2” just distinguishes those who have completed both avenues in becoming an USAWA official. I know there probably are individuals who have met the “experience requirement” to be on the list (as a Level 1 Official) and are not listed there. I have no way of knowing who these are if I am not told, especially if these individual’s involvement happened many years ago, before I got involved in the USAWA. Most old result sheets didn’t list who the Officials were even. If this is YOU , and you have officiated in over 25 USAWA All-Round Competitions in the past, and want to get involved again in the USAWA as an Official – PLEASE let me know and I’ll gladly put you on the list. The USAWA would LOVE to get you back into the fold!! The “experience” route was developed in the Rule Book as a “Grandfather Clause” so those very qualified and experienced officials would not have to “start over” in getting certified as an USAWA Official. After all, these individuals have already “earned” their official status the hard way – by sitting in the judges chair for many, many hours. The purpose of the Rules Test is about certifying NEW officials.