USAWA

By Al Myers

MEET REPORT –

2018 USAWA TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS

It was another great year for the USAWA Team Championships, hosted again at the Dino Gym. This was an exciting weekend for the USAWA, with two Championship events being held. They day before the Team Champs, ET hosted the OTSM Championship.  So this created an opportunity for some lifters to take part in TWO championships on the same weekend – and several did – which included Chad Ullom, John Douglas, and Dean Ross.

For the first time in Team Championships history we had one lifter who lifted by himself. John “Big Hoss” Douglas lifted at a huge disadvantage without a partner joining him on the bar, but had an outstanding day.  John has been a great addition to the USAWA, and partakes in as many USAWA events as anyone.

Of course, last year’s Overall Champs LaVerne and Dean came ready to lift. These two match up well in size and strength and make a formidable duo lifting in the over 60 age division.  They now have won the most Best Lifter Awards for the 60 Plus at the Team Championships with 6.

A new hotshot team entered this year, made up of Calvin Heit and Brandon Rein. Both of these young guys are the same height, and weighed in less than a pound of each other (But still less than Team Douglas, the one man team!!!).  They started off super impressive with the Clean and Press with Middle Fingers, which gathered them an early lead. They almost opened too high with the Cheat Reverse Curl and had to go down to their third attempt to get their opener.  Actually, I was quite surprised they got it considering how bad they missed the previous two attempts! It was probably the most impressive lift of the day.

Chad and I have probably done more Team Lifts together than anyone in the history of the USAWA or IAWA. I would consider us veterans of this discipline.  We both know each others lifting styles, strengths, and weaknesses.  And luckily as we are getting older the same bodyparts are falling apart on both of us so we still have that going to keep us balanced.  I was most proud of us breaking the gym record in the One Arm Fulton Bar Deadlift, with a lift of 467 pounds. We had previously set the record a couple years prior, so we did break our own record but did it with a couple more years on the ole odometer.

Overall, this was one of the best ever TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS. It was a great blend of several age groups lifting against each other.  As Dean put it, he referred to Chad and I as the kids, and Calvin and Brandon as the grandkids!

MEET RESULTS –

2018 USAWA Team Championships
Dino Gym
Holland, KS
September 9th, 2018

Meet Director: Al Myers

Scorekeeper: Al Myers

Officials (1-Official System Used): Al Myers, LaVerne Myers

Lifts: Clean and Press – Middle Fingers, Deadlift – Fulton Bar One Arm, Curl – Cheat Reverse Grip, Deadlift – No Thumbs Overhand Grip

Teams:

Al Myers (52 years, 232#) and Chad Ullom (46 years, 241#)
Calvin Heit (16 years, 154#) and Brandon Rein (23 years, 153 years)
LaVerne Myers (74 years, 236#) and Dean Ross (75 years, 248#)
John Douglas (55 years, 309#)

 

TEAM	CLASS	C&P	DLFB	Curl	DLNT	TOT	PTS
Al Myers Chad Ullom	45-49 Age 110KG	150	467R	305	750	1672	1445.9
Calvin Heit Brandon Rein	Open Age 70KG	170	317R	265	545	1297	1357.9
LaVerne Myers Dean Ross	70-74 Age 115KG	120	317R	235	505	1177	1265.9
John Douglas	55-59 Age 125+KG	90	132R	205	335	762	633.2

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

BEST TEAM AWARDS

Overall Best Team – Al Myers/Chad Ullom

Best Team Open – Calvin Heit/Brandon Rein

Best Team 40-59 – Al Myers/Chad Ullom

Best Team >60 – LaVerne Myers/Dean Ross

Best Single Guy Team – John Douglas