by Al Myers
People often ask Thom where his fascination with anvils began. It all started with a blow to the head…..
"All right Thom, you just go right ahead! I've warned you enough times about playing under the anvil tree!"
CREDIT: The Braemar Stone Tablet, Volume #4 Issue #2
by Thom Van Vleck
(Webmasters note: Every year HASA, Heart of America Scottish Athletes, would host a winter banquet where impromptu competitions and awards are given out to the members. I always enjoy these banquets, and the camaraderie shared between friends. The best part of the banquet is the “gag gifts”. We each take turns making fun of each other. Sorta like a roast. Today I’m going to share the report from one of the best banquets HASA ever had, the 2002 Winter HASA Banquet, which was covered in the Braemar Stone Tablet by Thom Van Vleck)
This year we had the HASA awards banquet at the community center. Steve and Becky were in charge and everyone was asked to bring a carry in dish. It was more laid back than in the past and I personally enjoyed it. People could hang out, do whatever they wanted (which for us included pulling out a caber and trying to throw it in a tree).
We again had the “Stone Cold Heavies” contest with a WOB contest. I had some mugs made up for awards, everyone that entered could get one. Eleven gus and two gals entered for fun and bragging rights. The final winners were as follows:
Men: Al Myers first (14 ft), Chad Ullom and Thom Van Vleck second (tie) (12 ft).
Women: Lori Myers and Leslie Kress first (tie) (12 ft)
I would like to point out that Kevin McAllister beat out his brother Shawn for 10th place when he touched the bar at 10ft with the handle after both cleared 9ft. Shawn failed to “touch” the bar and in a little known rule, Kevin declared himself the winner by virtue of “touching” the bar.
We had a little impromptu contest where the guys threw the 28 for height. Pretty fun stuff.
As for the awards winners for the year:
Al Myers: Angus Award (top athlete)
Dave Glasgow: Sportsmanship Award
Mike McGhee: Most Improved Award (and most injured, too)
Scott Campbell: Best Newcomer
We then handed out “gag” awards and had a blast. Some notable awards included Dave Henderson’s propeller driven hammer for Steve Scott, who immediately vowed he would throw it “down hill” to pick up extra distance. Below is a report on another gag award (luckily, the editor of this newsletter has a tremendous sense of humor and is a wonderful person…..Paybacks, Al, Paybacks….)
From Al Myers:
Thom Van Vleck accepting the insulated jockstrap award at the 2002 HASA Banquet, given to him by Al Myers. This gag award was given to Thom because he would always host his fall Highland Games on one of the coldest days of the winter.
I had a great time at the HASA Baquet last weekend. I finally got my pictures developed and had a good one of Thom accepting his insulated jockstrap award. I can only guess what he is mumbling to himself as he looks down —
1. “Hey buddies, we are going to get a warm winter!”
2. “This jockstrap is furrier than I am!”
3. “Hey everyone – do you think it could cover this bald spot!”
4. “I wonder how I am going to get this over my kilt!”
5. “If I wore this thing backwards, it would be a thong!”
That Al, He’s a funny man…….Paybacks, you hear me Al, Paybacks…..
(Webmasters comment: So now you know, Thom and my rivalry goes back LOTS of years and he is STILL trying to get the upper hand on me! Since then I have to add Thom’s comment number 6. )
6. ” I better wear this when I visit the Dino Gym so I can have some padding for protection for when I run into the Enforcer!”
CREDIT: The Braemar Stone Tablet, Volume #4, Issue #4
by Thom Van Vleck
(Webmaster’s notes: The following is an editorial written by Thom Van Vleck 10 years ago in the Braemar Stone Tablet regarding his dislike of the spin in the Highland Game height events. I found this editorial very ironic and humerous on so many levels because since then Thom has totally changed his tune and is now an advocate for the spin. He has used the spin in the 42# WOB to set a World Record and numerous game records. But he sure gives a good argument why the spin should be banned!!!! How does it feel Thom to have to EAT YOUR WORDS??????)
Thom Van Vleck utilizes the spin in the Weight Over Bar to perfection. In 2005, Thom set the All-Time World Record in the 42# WOB with a toss of 20'6". He has won or tied in the WOB at 3 World Championships (2004, 2007, and 2010). (photo credit Kevin Viet)
Recently, there have been some innovations in technique in the highland games. Namely, the spin on the sheaf and WOB. I have talked to a great many people about this and want to make their voices heard and to give my own opinion. You don’t have to like it, or even agree, but I think this is something we need to address before it goes too far.
A couple of years ago we began to see a few guys spinning on the sheaf. This year Harrison Bailey (I think) began spinning on the WOB. This has started to push some records up, and will no doubt continue to do so. I am opposed to the new techniques on several grounds.
First, they are dangerous. About a hundred years ago a woman was struck and killed in Canada by a wayward hammer. The man that threw it was so despondent he never competed again. I know how I would feel if I were responsible for a tragic accident. I would feel just as responsible as an Athletic Director who allowed unsafe practices to go on. It was also around that time that there was an innovation in technique. The athletes began to spin with the hammer. Yes, much like the Olympic hammer, the athletes would spin and throw the hammer. However, they quickly realized how dangerous this was and the practice was stopped. I feel that spinning with the sheaf could lead to serious injury as I witnessed Mike Smith flatten a metal chair with a wayward sheaf toss (old style) in McPherson a couple of years ago. A twenty pound sheaf could seriously hurt an adult and kill a child. I won’t even go into what a 56 could do raining down from 15 plus feet in the air.
An answer to this would be to create large safe areas, but you push the crowds back when you do that and isolate the athletes even more. That is a problem within itself. Many venues I have been to are limited to a confined space and a large field is out of the question. I want the crowds in as close as they can get, especially the children. Otherwise, why not go throw in somebody’s back yard?
My second issue with the techniques is they take away the power events. The Sheaf and the WOB were relatively simple to execute and the strongest guys would usually prevail in these events. There was no hiding your true level of strength. Making them technical will take away from that aspect. You also have a great many guys that are strong and love this sport, but have difficulty with the spinning events who will now be left out. I will admit that I am one of those guys. The WOB and sheaf, as well as the caber, were my best events. I do not consider myself athletic, but I have built considerable strength over the years through weightlifting. By making the event more athletic you will alienate a majority of athletes who are either not as athletic, don’t have the time to work on technique (i.e. have jobs, families), or do this for the love of the sport. YOU TAKE AWAY FROM THE SELF-BUILT ATHLETE WHO MAY NOT BE BLESSED, BUT CAN BUILD ON WHAT HE OR SHE HAS THROUGH WEIGHT TRAINING.
Al Myers (left) and Thom Van Vleck (right) squared off against each other a couple of years ago in a 56# WOB contest, infamously referred to now as the WOB Border War. The rules of the contest required it be a traditional standing toss, in which the spin would not be allowed. I issued this challenge to Thom because I felt he had snubbed the standing toss and everything he once believed in! Chad Ullom served as the official, and due to his incompetence the outcome was questionable as to who had actually won. We each claimed victory, but Chad determined it a tie. (photo credit Chad Ullom)
An answer to this issue would be to only allow the spin in the A class and Pros. The idea being that once you reach that level you should have worked on the technique enough that you would be safe as well as guys capable and have the time to master the style. I do not agree with this, but would go along with this solution.
Third, it is hard on equipment. I have run meets and they are quite expensive. Al Myers made a good point to me that I feel every athlete should hear. On average at a good meet the AD will spend about $100 per athlete. The most I have ever paid for entry is $20. The rest is absorbed through sponsers, gate (which we all know is not great unless you are in a huge games), and straight from the pockets of the AD’s. Plus sweat and toil equity. I personally don’t want to have 3 sets of sheaf standards and WOB standards for back ups because the others are getting tore up. And they will be once everyone starts doing these styles. You run one meet and you will see how tore up the equipment gets and just how expensive it is to fix it back up.
The simple answer would be to make the athletes more financially responsible. Higher entry fees or make them agree to pay for repairs to anything damaged by an errant throw. I don’t want to do this at my meets so I will likely limit the Super A’s to the option of the spins and only if they can demonstrate they have mastered it enough in warm ups they won’t be be a threat to anyone.
While I personally would like to do away with the spinning styles this is not my sport to make demands. I am not a cry baby and will adapt if that is what I have to do. I have just heard so many complaints about it I felt I should lead a charge. If no one follows then I will look foolish (as I have many times before) and walk back and get in line with my fellow athletes to learn the new styles. If you agree, get on the chat rooms, talk to the AD’s, and organizations (NASGA, RMSA, SAAA, SSAA, etc). Let’s make the push to make hard decisions on this matter before it goes too far. Otherwise, it is moving along and until someone get hurt the athletes are going to do whatever it takes to get an edge.
CREDIT: The Braemar Stone Tablet, Volume #3, Issue #2
by Thom Van Vleck
Recently, Kevin McAllister asked some of his fellow HASA athletes for their training routines. Some of them were so important to development of the all round athlete I felt I should include them in this newsletter.
Here was Larry Ventress’ response:
Off season: Lift like hell, throw a little bit
In season: Lift like hell, throw a little bit more
Results: I still stink
Post season: Depression sets in
Results: The oreo cookies come out
Post Cookies: Feel guilty about not training and eating too many cookies.
Results: Lift like hell, throw a little bit and get ready for next year.
It’s a vicious cycle! Hope this helps, Larry.
Al Myers replied: I also “cycle” train like Larry, but mine goes like this.
Off season: Powerlift as hard as possible to get stronger and tighten up all tendons/muscle groups
Early season: Throw as hard as possible and loosen up all tendons/muscle groups
In season: Pull or tear some major tendon/muscle groups.
Next year: Start it all over again!!!
Mitch Ridout clean and pressing the Jackson Anvil. Mitch often won this "challenge event" following past HASA Highland Games. I believe his best effort was 14 reps with the 150# anvil - quite amazing! (photo courtesy of Al Myers)
Now, I will include Mitch Ridout’s “King of Beasts” Training Routine for the Highland Games. Mitch believes strongly in the “KOB”. It dictates a focus on recuperation. Mitch say, “It is during the recuperation phase that muscle is actually built, the act of working out actually tears down muscle. Look at our friend, the mighty Lion, the KING OF BEASTS. He will lay around all day getting up only to eat, have sex, or to deal with competition and he carries a mighty frame of muscle.” Now, I can tell you….. I have watched Mitch train and he fervently believes in the KOB philosophy. I have also had to listen to him sleep. That guy can fall asleep before his head hits the pillow and his snoring will rattle window panes. I also know that he follows the eating part religously, eating copious amounts of red meat in one sitting. As for the sex part, you would have to ask his wife or Kevin McAllister as I do know Kevin invited him to “sleep” over one weekend when Kev’s wife was out of town.
COMING TOMORROW – THE DETAILS OF THE KOB TRAINING SYSTEM
CREDIT: Braemar Stone Tablet, Volume #3, Issue #1
by Thom Van Vleck
(Webmasters note: This was written by Thom 10 years ago in the Bramaer Stone Tablet, but I think he was on to something. Since I have just reread this, I have taken notice that Dave is “lurking” in the background of several pictures I have of Thom. IS THIS JUST A COINCIDENCE??? )
Thom Van Vleck (right) and his stalker Dave Glasgow (left).
I am writing this to make everyone aware that Dave Glasgow is stalking me, and just in case he is successful and I am found dead under “mysterious” circumstances. You may be next.
1. I am judging the Mid-America Masters in 2002. Dave is throwing the 22lb hammer and I am safely behind the cage carefully watching him for any transgression of the rules. Suddenly, the hammer head comes off the handle and it punctures the cage hitting me in my ankle. The impact tattooed the pattern of my sock into the ball of my ankle. Luckily, my “cat like” reflexes allowed me to move before the hammer took my whole leg off causing me to bleed to death. I’m not sure how Dave got that hammer head to come off at that precise moment, but he’s old and crafty (esp. old). Then, and I’m not sure how he did it, but when I got home my water heater had burst flooding my house. I’m not sure how he drove 185 miles to my house and sabotaged my water heater (after all, it was only 20 years old and barely half covered with rust), but he did it and got back to KC in between throws.
I took this picture a few weeks ago at the Ledaig Record Breaker. I didn't notice it at the time, but doesn't it look like Dave is "eyeballing" Thom? But then again do I blame him - I would be doing the same if Thom was carrying on a private conversation with MY WIFE! (photo by Al Myers)
2. At that time, I was thinking it just a coincidence. However, as I read through an old issue of Dan DeWelt’s old magazine I spied a picture of me throwing the stone. Not that it was unusual that there was a picture of me, a top notch athlete (I would say world class, but I don’t like to brag….my wife once told me that…. but she stuttered at the end which made it sound like she said “World class ass”, but that was just a stutter… I’m sure). At any rate, as I admired the picture of myself and the fine form I was demonstrating I saw it. There he was, Dave Glasgow, standing in the background staring at me. Obviously, he was casing me out at that early time, but I had been unaware. But now I was on to him.
After a hot day throwing at the Ledaig Highland Games, Thom stripped down and cooled off in the tank. Of course I had to take his picture. But wait.... I think I recognize that kilt in the background!!!! Is it the stalker??? (photo by Al Myers)
3. I began to notice Dave was everywhere. It seemed that nearly half the highland games I went to, Dave was there, too. Obviously this was getting serious. He was following me. But I had to be cool, and not let him know I was onto him. I needed to keep the element of surprise on my side. I told only a few my suspicions, but they all obviously agreed. When I pointed out the picture of Dave “stalking” me, Steve Scott looked at me and laughed (obviously to keep from arousing suspicions) and said, “Oh, sure, obviously”. And then he quickly left and didn’t talk to me again all day, which I am sure was to keep from arousing suspicions.
4. Most recently, Dave came up to my HASA championships. Sure, he was acting so nice, giving me a pitch fork, custom made, and acting as a judge for me. But I was on to him. However, Dave is a crafty one. I was able to keep him in my sites all day, but the bastard waited until I was asleep. He came out and sabotaged my sewer line that night causing my basement to flood. Then, just to rub salt in the wound, he came out to my house to “visit” me and then when I went to show him my basement workout area only to find it flooded, he pretended he didn’t know a thing and actually tried to help me fix it. Oh sure, he seems like a nice guy, but let this be your warning. Dave Glasgow is a Stalker!!!!!!!!!!!
CREDIT: The Braemar Stone Tablet, Volume #4 Issue #4