30th Ozark: Small but successful
Congratulations to Harold and Dawn Gaines on running a smooth, classy meet. More should have been to it because they missed a good one. Each time out these two put on an excelelnt meet and would settle for nothing less. If you haven't been to a meet ran by Harold & Dawn, you have been missing out.
We had a low number of lifters but that could be attributed to the larger Cissell Classic back in May. Cheryl Gee continues to impress and benched a 225 lb. shirtless lift. A very strong girl, she is putting some thought into qualifying for the Womens Nationals in Feb.
Randy Stone was the big story of the day. This guy is like a fine bottle of wine that gets better with age ( Except better...He never runs out or goes empty). He had the meet of his life, totalled 1,504 lbs. and also qualified for the Mens Natiionals that will be May 6th weekend next year in Killeen, TX. Peyton was not far behind him and darn near upped his state squat record at 181.
Tyson Green also put up some healthy numbers in his 2nd contest and continues to impress.
For some who may not be aware, the sanctioned USA Powerlifting meets we run are actually drug tested. I'm not sure that everyone is aware of that. (My point isn't that I think we had lifters who were not clean, but to make folks aware that we do test at the meets) The name on the marquis reads "DRUG TESTED Powerlifting from USA Powerlifting of Missouri!". In fact, it is the whole reason for the existence of the USAPL (formerly the American Drug Free Powerlifting Assoc. ADFPA). The ADFPA was formed in 1982 by a man named Brother Bennett out of the need for an alternative to non-tested meets.
Anyway, we had a lifter that looked at us like we had three heads and were from the planet Mars when we informed them that we were going to test that person. So that everyone knows, we do test at the meets and it is nothing personal, it's part of the game.
Dana Rosenzweig reffed in his first meet. This guy will be a good one gang. A sharp dude (and sharp looking with his purse-like fanny pack), he did an outstnading job. Taking the practical for the ref test were Justin Newsome and Brad Manion, two more that have been around quite a bit of iron and will make good refs.
I'm still attempting to set up the Cape meet and have talked with Doug at Universal. There will be some changes in the schedule next year that should make things a little better I think. One issue we have to contend with is the Mens Nationals being earlier in the year. Plus, We have the Benchpress Nationals here in Sept. Along with that, we may exchange a contest for a smaller sized opportunity, aimed at the lower level lifter in an effort to help them along. In recognizing that the newer lifters can and want to compete more often due to the lighter lbs. they handle, newer lifters need more meets I think. Nothing is set in stone though. We'll work on a plan and roll it out soon.
Squat Nationals - Oct. 9th Last fall we held the DL Nationals and it was a super event. 3 lifts and it was over, in a top notch setting. The Gaines crew will be sure to produce another fine event. No matter where you are at, novice or multi time champ, this will be one to enjoy. We could also use anyone who wants to step up and help with spotting. The meets just cannot be ran without help. For the first 25 lifters, 2 free passes to Six Flags weil lbe issued. Rumor has it than Rodney Wood will be bringing a stellar crew from West Plains and that he is coming with intentions of squattign 700 lbs. at 198! Don't miss this feat!
After looking over the results, I'm floored by the benchpress of Brady Stewart. Brady attends school at McKendree College in Lebanon, IL and works with the Freshman football players in the weight room. Lately he has been training with Dana and Tim at the BWC (Belleville Weightlifting club to the unitiated), and it has paid off. After two misses, he finally got on the board in his third attempt, and what an attempt it was. Brady made a massive 446 lb. benchpress and was the Open best lifter, lifting just over double bodyweight.
Also putting in an impressive performance, was Caleb Friedman. This lad, who came all the way from Jackson, MS, set a couple new American Records in the 165 lb. class. Lifting in just a singlet and knee wraps, he squatted 440 lbs. and then later pulled 457 lbs. in just a singlet. Caleb is a strong kid with a super bright future. He gets his competitiveness honestly though. His dad was a collegiate shot putter and even made it to the Olympic Trials in 1980. Who knows what would've happened with him had the US not boycotted the Olympics that year...
Kurt Richardson was also on hand helping out Josh Kirsch. Josh has made some steady improvements in the short time he has been training and has a Kenny Garret-like frame and appearance. For those unfamiliar with Kirsch or Garret, both are built like fire plugs with optimally short levers. Mark my words, Josh Kirsch will be a champion one day.
Three of the kids from the YMCA in Granite City also competed. Tim Stafford, a thin 148 lber, made just his opening squat, two benches and two deadlifts to win the Teenage 148's. Although he was the champion, he has some work to do and is capable of much more. On the flip side, YMCA teammate Ben Cuvar had quite a meet and continues to progress. Ben nearly went 9 for 9 and missed only a 236 lb. squat. He benched 187 lbs., deadlifted 330 lbs. and looked good for more. It wasn't that long ago that Ben was gettign started and looked as shaky as a newborn fawn. Not anymore though, the kid's stronger than a garlic milk shake. Greg Gaines also deserves some ink here. One of the many from the Gaines Clan, he did only a little training and is very new to the game. Most impressivly, he deadlifted 203 lbs. on such little training and this should be a good stepping stone for bigger and better things. Kyle Neuling was the third man in for the Y. This guy is lengthy and will some day be a 242 lber or even more. At 198 he is a little too thin for the class, but will continue to grow. Look for big numbers from him soon.
Leslie Gaines was also lifting in her first meet. At 123 lbs. she was learning the ropes and gettign qualified for the Womens Nationals next Feb. With her thin frame she will be a good deadlifter. At just 12 years old, she managed a 3rd attempt deadlift of 154 lbs, which could very well be a new American Record. The daughter of Harold and Dawn, she's a lot of fun to have around and helps us out quite a bit.
Stephen Gaines lifted in the Youth 12-13 year old division and missed just two lifts the entire meet. We're trying to encourage the younger lifters to get in and make as many attempts as they can, which prmotes better technique. Stephen even deadlifted 159 lbs. on his third attempt.
Many thanks goes out to a lot of peoplem, even when running a smaller affair like this one. Thanks to Rob, Don and Jerry for all of their help in running things behind the scenes. You don't know how much we appreciate it. Thanks to our refs as well. Without them it makes a meet director's job a nightmare. They were Sam Greco, Mike Cissell, Dana Rosenzweig as well as the author of this article. Doing a superb job announcing as usual was the man we call Dr. Rankensiten, Pat Rankin. Pat has agreed to just about anything I've done in the past and has been in our corner every step of the way. We appreciate his help! Thanks also to all of the lifters who came. I hope to see all at the Squat Nationals in october, either lifting, helping or spectating!
Rick Fowler
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| Upcoming Meets: |
Squat Nationals:
Oct. 10th at Six Flags
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