2002 California State Powerlifting Meet

NAPA, CA.  2002 Marked the return of the State Powerlifting Championships to  Napa Valley College in  Northern California's beautiful Wine Country. With only 65 lifters entered, our turnout was a bit smaller than in recent years but the quality of lifting was high and a number of brand new lifters joined us. We also were joined by several out of state lifters - a few former Californians, Dean from Oregon and even a lifter from Denmark.

                Dana Mauriello , in her first competition totaled a nice 490.5 lbs at 165. Tiffany Vos had some trouble in the bench and couldn’t finish the meet but looked very strong. I'm sure she'll return with an improved performance.    Susan Waits, one of our former Californian's, now residing in Las Vegas, turned in a fine 672 lb effort. Champion at 148 once again, was California phenomenon Tammi Callahan. Tammi burst onto the scene only two years ago and has won virtually everything but a World Title in that short span. Tammi is now a Master lifter so that World Title may turn up soon.

In her first USAPL full meet, Disa Hatfield put up a whopping 1085 lb total in what she termed an off day.

With a huge 468 lbs squat and a 352 lbs deadlift, I wonder what she'll lift on a good day?

                Twin brothers lifting in their first meet led off our lightweight men. Ryan and Adam Young, both hometown Napa teen lifters, turned in fine 7 for 9 lifting performances. Two longtime lifters, Homayoun "Homi" Shiviae and Joe Randazzo, each deserve a special mention. They placed 1^st and 2^nd ,  respectively in the Master 3 148 lbs class but  each makes special contributions to our sport  here in California. Joe has refereed almost every meet I've lifted in or put on for as long as I can remember. That's a lot of volunteering folks. Homi not only lifts but also coaches several lifters at each meet, including some of our   Special Olympians. Thanks for your time, guys!

                Scott Layman used this meet as a tune-up meet for Men's Nationals in July. Scott not only turned in a 1400+ lb total at only 148 lbs but he is also the first powerlifter with his own action figure. His Scottie "Too Hottie" Layman doll was the hit of the meet  Life sized at a  full 8 inches tall   and clad in black, it should be in the stores before the holiday season!

                Another Scott; Scott Helmer, returned from several years away from the sport. He proved that he hadn't forgotten too much though. Scott   walked out with a best lifter award for lightweight Master Men.

                Day two was reserved for th big boys - men from 198 lbs up to 300+ lbs. The competition was fierce in some of the classes starting with the Open 198 lb class. Ten lifters signed up for this class. One no-show and one bombout left standing et the end. How tough was this class? The top 5 finishers all made the qualifying total for Men's Nationals at 1575 lbs , two former state champs finished out of the medal hunt AND 2^nd and 3^rd places were decided on bodyweight.

In fifth place, qualifying for his first Nationals with an 8 for 9 day was Greg "G-Buff" Buffington. Coming down from the 220's to take the fourth spot was Joe Matteo. In 3^rd place was several time state and teen National Champion Shawn Geernaert. Shawn weight one-half lb less than the second place lifter. That lifter was another former Junior National  220 lbsChampion, Ed Koo.   Ed was sporting a new lean, tanned look but still showed plenty of power, including a 661 lbs deadlift. In first place, however. Was the oldest lifter in the class. At 43 years old Kieth Kanemoto did the unexpected. Everyone knows Keith is a good squatter and everyone knows Keith is a great benchers. What we didn't know was that Keith would win the class not with his squat… not with his bench… but with his deadlift. The new Captain of the San Jose Deadlift Crew uncorked a monster 584 deadlift personal record (by a mile)  to ensure the victory.   With the big deadlifters in the class no one expected Keith to "pull" off the victory. It just goes to show you,   powerlifters don't get older, they just get better!

                Speaking of getting better with age Mike Musto, Doug Dienelt and Diederik Lagerwerff went 6 for 9, 7 for 9 and 8 for 9 to win their respective age divisions at Masters 220!

                The 220 Open division also saw some great lifting. Tony Falbo, last years State Champion would up in third after a little trouble in the squat and bench. Jerry Tremblay, Jr. lifted well within his capabilities to post a perfect 9 for 9 day to take second place. Hey Jerry, PUT SOME WEIGHT ON THE BAR!

In first and way out in front was a new Californian vis Louisiana, Charr Gahagan. Charr destroyed the 220 deadlift and total state records.  He upped the deadlift from 716 to 799 and beat the total record by about 90 lbs. Get this…. That isn't even his best pull! He's the American record holder with 804. We've got to get him on Team California.

                At 242, two of our former Californians returned to guest lift. Scott Waits benched a pretty 485 which I believe is a lifetime personal best and came up with a monster 760 squat. It didn't satisfy the judges but he came up strong and I'm sure he'll get it at Nationals. Russel Kitani came in to test out his elbow following elbow surgery. He parked his opening bench on his chest for about 3 seconds to prove a point. He then finished up with a nice 501.
                Five 242s started the day. After one bomb out in the squat and one in the bench, three were left. Scott Cartwright took the third place spot. Rob Muelenberg went 6 for 6 including a PR 650 squat to take second and John Planas took the top spot with an 1846 total.

                At 275, Dean from Oregon came to town with the goal of qualifying for Nationals. With his lovely wife, Gina from Oregon and his coach Wayne from Oregon cheering him on, Dean made the required total on his last pull! Congrats, Dean!

                Kellen Boyce had a bit of an off day but managed to put enough good lifts together to take 2^nd in the Open 275s and Mike Kautz uncorked a 777 lbs squat to lead the way in the class with a 1956 total.

                Three 275+ men entered the meet. First up was Big Neils Staerkjaer all the way from Denmark. Sadly, Neils blew out two suits in the warmup room and lifted without his squat suit. In a belt only he still hit a powerful 628 squat. He followed it up with a monster 584 bench press and just missed a 600 lb bench!

                Joseph Jano was up from Southern California. At 310 lbs he is one big dude but he is also the most friendly guy you'd want to know. Great guy to be around. Whether he makes a lift or misses it, he's got a smile on his face. This day he made more than he missed and captured the second place spot. In the top spot in both the open and M2 275+ divisions was perennial champion Bruce Lee. Bruce is another guy that keeps getting better. At 43 Bruce impressed everyone with a big  804 lbs squat. He ended the day, with a huge 1978 total!

                At the end of Saturdays lifting, State Chairman Lance Slaughter gave out several special awards.  Former State Chair Manny Villarreal was awarded a Dedicated Service Award for his ears of service. Michael Hara was chosen athlete of the Year for 2001. Jason Burnell was chosen a Volunteer of the Year.

                This meet was a success due to team work and cooperation. Lance Slaughter, Mike Koufos and I teamed up to set the meet up. Our Meet Staff of volunteers came through in a big way. Thanks to Betty, Aaron, Van Bockin, Franky C, Bootsy Pujol, Rich Burkhardt, Spotter Steve, Scott L, Joyce, Chet, Joe and Doug. 

Thanks also to out sponsors: Inzer Advance Designs, House of Pain IronWear, Basics Gym, Crain's MuscleWorld LTD, Powerlifting USA, Dr. Soy and Subway Sandwiches of Napa.

               

Finally, thanks to all the lifters, without which none of this would occur! Good lifting!