Ok gang,
Here it is...the report from the Special Olympics State Games for Illinois! I served as Championship Director and MC for the 147 lifter event in Normal, IL.
Ben Cuvar lifted and had the meet of his life. His training went well and he was razor sharp. Over the last few years he has dealt with a bit of a back injury and it appears that he is back to 100%. We've been training together since 2002 and he has competed in several USA Powerlifting events. He weighed in at 163 the morning of the meet.
Squats
Ben opened up with a ridiculously easy 225 and could have done it for 5. The impressive part was how far head of everyone else he was. I think the next closest opener was 70 lbs. away.
For his 2nd he nailed 250 much in the same manner. I've never seen him sit back and look as comfortable as he has the last 8 weeks. He had a size 30 Z-suit but the straps on it were just too short and it was a little tight preventing him from getting below depth. I had a size 32 laying around that had never been used, so it was just what he needed and fit him perfect. Nothing like going into a race with a new set of tires.
For his 3rd he chose 280 lbs. which would be meet pr by quite a bit. I think he squatted 259 prior to be in injured and might have done 275 in the gym a few years ago.
For just a second I'll deviate from the meet report and clue you in on his handlers. Most have seen Ben helping a certain 242 lber at all of our meets. Unless you've been under a rock, you know that he really likes helping Chad Holmes. Chad enjoys Ben's intensity and gets an extra set of hands from Ben at the meets. For this weekend it would be reversed; Chad and Jerry Pledger traveled all the way from Cape Girardeau, MO to help Ben! We kept it a secret and as Ben was in the restroom putting on his suit Chad waited outside. As Ben came out, in the words of Clark Grizwald, "He wouldn't have been more surprised if he would have woke up with his head sewn to the carpet." Upon seeing him he said "CHAD!", and the Kodak moment ensued. What a great time for this guy. I can't say thank you enough to Chad and Jerry for making this trip.
For Ben's third he came out like a lion with pinpoint focus. The meet is held in a theater that's just a little larger than the River's Edge Reception Center, and with as cozy as it is, the acoustics are perfect. The house was rocking and not a single person was seated for what was the last squat of Day 1. Surrounded by the capable hands of Putt Houston, AJ Hesser and Jim Bell, Ben dunked 280 and probably had 300 lbs in him. Maybe even more. With a thunderous ovation the crowd went wild and we brought him out front for a grand celebration, as if he were Ric Flair winning the NWA title from Harley Race. If it sounds cool, it's because it was. I had goosebumps watching this kid lift.
Benchpress
In the Special Olympics for Illinois, benchpress shirts aren't allowed. For my money, I think that' a good thing. At this level most don't have the skill to use one. Ben has been hovering around a raw bench of 220 for a bit and due to my schedule, I can only get to the gym for his squats and deads. So essentially, he handles all of his own bench training. As a testament to his ability, he has learned well and is still hanging in there pretty good.
He opened with an easy 190. From there he jumped to 215 and although it stalled a bit, he locked it out. Chad and I agreed that 220 would be the smart move for his 3rd. He drove it up but it just didn't go. We'll be working on getting him up over 225 possibly by the USAPL Mid America. As it turned out he had the highest bench by 10 lbs.
Deadlift
Prior to back trouble, Ben had pulled a conventional 391 lbs. That was 3 years ago and it has been a long, frustrating road back. Since converting to a sumo stance, he has had no issues. I've been cautious and want to keep him healthy. At the qualifier 8 weeks prior, Ben pulled 335 and had a little more in him.
He opened at 300 lbs. and that looked like a paperweight it moved so fast. Team Ben then chose 350 for him and the intensity between he and Chad started to roll. It looked like the Ultimate Warrior, Undertaker and Triple H all rolled into one up on that stage. Chad got him in the right mindset and out came Ben. 350 lbs. was no match for him and once again, he had the place on fire. Not a seat was filled, the crowd of 300+ were on their feet. The next closest pull in the rear view mirror was well below 300 lbs.
For his 3rd they went 370 lbs. and it came up well but just missed, stalling at the top. Had he made that, he would have been at about 95% of his best conventional pull. So, the kid is getting the sumo very well.
He finished 7 for 9 with a massive 845 lb. total. Clearly he was the meet's best lifter if thy would have awarded one. On day 2, I don't think anyone outsquatted him. If they did it was only by 5 lbs. and the lifter probably had 100 lbs. on him.
Special thanks goes out to the following people who made this weekend even more awesome than it was:
Referees
Jason Koogler
Brad Manion
Dana Rosenzweig
Brady Stewart
Platform Crew
AJ Hesser
Dave Horner
Putt Houston
Scoretable
Beth Stewart
Special thanks to Jim Bell who lent his skills as co-director of the championship. I might be the front man for the event, but anything I needed throughout the weekend, Jim made it happen. He and Jason Koogler made things go off without a hitch and I can't say you enough to these guys.
If you are looking for a rocking good time the Illinois State Games for Special Olympics is it. I've never seen a crowd into it as much as the crowd this weekend. We've already started discussions on how we can make next year even better.
Thanks again to everyone for your help on producing such a great product for the athletes.
Rick Fowler
Missouri State Chairman