2003 USAPL California State Powerlifting & Bench Press Championships

The 2003 USAPL California State Powerlifting & Bench Press Championships were held April 12-13 on the campus of Napa Valley College in Napa, CA. Eighty-five lifters competed in the two-day event providing some truly outstanding performances while qualifying and preparing many for upcoming USAPL national championships.

Saturday’s competition included all women competitors and men up to 181 lb. for the powerlifting and bench press events. Highlights included Sasha Meshkov getting eight of her nine lifts, including an unofficial Masters 2 AR 341 lb. squat, toward an 832 lb. total. Sasha also earned Women’s Open Best Lifter honors while setting several state Masters and Open state records. Scott Layman led a deep field in the 148 lb. Mens Open class with a 1472 total, increasing his own State total record. Scott’s outstanding balanced lifting also earned him Best Lifter recognition among men powerlifters competing on Day 1. Seventeen year-old Hayward Blake claimed two new California state teen records in the 181 lb. class knocking down a 551 squat and posting a 1388 record total.

In the Bench Press event, notable Day 1 performances included Carin Fujisaki getting an impressive 148 lb. BP at a bodyweight of 94 lb. Carin set new Open and Masters state records. First-time competitor Kimberly Aanenson made her introduction onto the competitive platform with a bang. Kimberly weighed in at a very light 116 lb. and finished with an incredible CA state record 192 lb. bench in the 123 lb. class. Kim also received Bench Press Best Lifter honors among the women. Both Carin and Kimberly should be formidable contenders at Bench Press Nationals should they choose to compete at the national level. Shawn Dias won the 165 lb. class and earned Day 1 Bench Press Best Lifter honors after he pressed 391 on his second attempt.

Saturday concluded with the annual State Meeting at which Vicki Hembree was honored as the 2002 Athlete of the Year and Jason Burnell and Lisa Denison were recognized as the 2002 Co-Volunteers of the Year.

Sunday’s competition was full of great battles in several weight classes and outstanding individual performances. In the 198 lb. class, Greg Buffington and Joe Matteo continued their ongoing friendly battle from last year’s state meet and Men’s Nationals. Last year, they split, with Joe finishing ahead of Greg at the state meet and Greg finishing one place ahead of Joe at Nationals. This year, Greg rode a 1620 PR total to finish 11 lb. ahead of Joe’s PR total of 1609. Seventy-two year old Gerald Ahern established a complete set a new state Masters records on his way to an 882 lb. total. Tony Falbo lifted 1642 to win the 220 class state title while Steve Silver posted a national caliber 1840 total to earn the title of State Champion in the 242 lb. Class and Day 2 Open Men Best Lifter . Phil Andrews is a deadlift legend and he proved it once again riding a Open state record 755 lb. deadlift to win the 275 lb Open and Masters divisions. Phil also rewrote the Masters 2 state records in the bench, deadlift and total while earning Best Lifter honors for Masters Men on Day 2. In the Supers, it was a classic battle of youth against experience. Forty-four year old Bruce Lee has won numerous state titles while also competing at Men’s Open and Masters Nationals. Twenty three year old Toby Levers is currently a student who has primarily limited his competitive lifting within the state of California but his numbers are definitely ready for the national platform. Both guys put up huge numbers but Toby came out on top today benefiting from a 766 squat, 424 bench and a 733 deadlift, all providing a very impressive 1923 total.

Overall, the meet was a great success and it could not happen without the tremendous support of generous sponsors and the team of volunteers who make up an incredible meet staff. Thanks to John Inzer and Inzer Advance Designs, Rick Brewer and House of Pain Ironwear, Mike Lambert and Powerlifting USA, The Holiday Inn Vallejo which served as the Official Meet Hotel and Basics Gym in Napa, CA for the use of their weights and bars. Referees: Mike Mooney, Joe Randazzo, Joyce Alcouloumre, Mike Koufos, Scott Layman, Rob Muelenberg and John Planas. Score Table: Frank Cable, Betty Lee, Mike Musto and Dave Van Brocklin. Platform: Aaron Pete, Dean Reece, Garrett Harper and the crew from Diablo Barbell. On behalf of the meet directors, Jason Burnell and Lance Slaughter, thank you to the athletes, volunteers, sponsors and spectators.