USA Powerlifting Nor Cal Winter Classic  PL & BP

December 30, 2001
Meet Director: Jason Burnell

Napa, CA. December 30^th marked the last chance for lifters to compete and to set Cal State Records. Despite a rather small turnout we witnessed some good lifting and saw a few new lifters break into the sport.

Susan O’Neill has watched husband Shane lift many times but waited 55 years to try powerlifting for herself. She made two flawless bench presses in the contest and later added three successful deadlifts as a guest lifter. Our other lady lifter was one of several competitors coached by newly crowned World Bench Press Champion Mike Hara. Louisa Appell made all three bench presses, finishing with 181 pounds at 148!

The Open men’s lightweight bench press saw twin brothers Shawn and Shayne Dias battling it out with Josh Meixner. Josh made a 341 lbs attempt at 181 to take the 3^rd spot. Shayne made his debut at this contest and made a nice 352 lb lift as a light 181 (167 lbs) Shawn has a few contests under his belt and that experience allowed him to best his big brother (by 13 minutes) by a few pounds and take the 1^st place award in the Open Lightweight Division.

The open men’s heavyweight division saw Ryan Hebeler (another Hara protégé) trade placings with Robert Exum. Robert edged Ryan by 2.5 kgs to take 3^rd place. Ken Armstrong, who has improved steadily all year made all three benches to nail down the 2^nd spot. Way out in front was Michael Ludovico with a 512 lb opener at 217 pounds. Mike…. Team California wants YOU!

Jeff Jones had a rare off day in the bench and went to the showers early. He’s a veteran lifter though and will be back better next time. Our Masters Heavyweights had a surprise ending. The lightest and oldest lifter walked away with the win! But it wasn’t a cakewalk. Wesley Page, another Hara lifter, wore a big smile all day and made three benches in his first meet to take third place. This friendly fellow is a pleasure to be around and spent the day cheering everyone on. In second place was 51-year-old veteran lifter Kirk Delaplaine with a fine 341 lbs effort at 246 lbs body weight. Coming in first, though, was 74-year-old Charles Rice who at only 203 lbs benched 270 lbs. There may be snow on the roof but the fire inside is burning HOT! Way to go gentlemen!

Two Teen lifters, Nick Luiz at 173 lbs and Rick White III at 209 lbs., battled in the full meet. Rick had some trouble in the squats, taking three attempts to get one passed. This allowed Nick to build a big lead. Rick out benched Nick but Nick unleashed a PR State Record Pull to cinch the victory.

David Bracken came all the way from New Mexico to lift with us. David told me it was the first time his family would get to see him lift and he made sure to put on a great show for them. A perfect 9 for 9 day and smooth technique allowed Dave to post a 600kg total at 156 lbs. His Wilks formula score was the highest of all the open lifters.

Five lifters battled for top honors in the Open Heavyweight division. Ricardo Magni may have opened a bit high and had some problems in the squat. Ken Armstrong had a perfect 9 for 9 day to take the 4^th spot. In only his second full meet he’s added 57.5 kilos to his total since the State Meet in April. Nice lifting! Liborio "Junior" Vargas had an 8 for 9 day, missing only his third bench. He is making nice progress from meet to meet and will be putting up some big numbers really soon. I see 600-400-600 with in a year for Liborio. Big David Freeland at only 22 years old totaled 690 kilos to take second. This guy has the frame to hold 300 lbs is only going to get better. Clint Cooley came out of nowhere to take First Place. At only 196 pounds, Clint more than held his own with the big boys, putting up a nice 655 kg total to take the class.

Ron Spikes and Frank Cable battled it out in the Masters Heavyweights. Frank was making a return to squatting after a back injury over a year ago. He built a lead with a nice 628 squat and a 523 bench. His opening pull of 501 was easy but he felt a twinge in his back and passed the next two. Ron’s opening pull made it close. His second lift of 600 lbs was enough to pull him within 9 formula points of Frank. It looked tough but smooth. After some consideration, he passed his third as well.

I would like to thank all the lifters for coming out. Thanks also to Basics Gym, Mike Koufos for helping with the setup and all of my judges, staff and spotters. No one can put on a meet alone and I thank you all for pitching in. Finally, Big Thank You’s to our sponsors and supporters of California Powerlifting – Inzer Advance Designs and House of Pain IronWear! Their help makes it all possible.

See you in March!