USAWA

Today we’ll begin featuring the 2025 USAWA Award Winners. The first would normally be athlete of the year, but we’ll call this first one “All in the Family”! The 2025 Athlete of the Year was chosen in a close vote. Jeff Wenzel received the award for the first time. Jeff is a member of Clark’s Gym in Columbia, MO, joining the team after spotting in the Bench Press Decathlon a few years ago. Jeff embodies the description of the award accomplishing the most athletically within the last year. Not only does he compete in meets across the USAWA, but he’s tried about every lift in the book from Abdominal Raise to the Zeigler Clean. In his time as a member of the USAWA he’s amassed over two hundred records, including top lifts of all time in the Piper Squat and the Foot Press. He’s become a level one USAWA referee as well. Jeff is a fierce but gracious competitor. He’s won several meets including his 50th Birthday Bash in Clark’s Gym By day he works for the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.

The 2025 Newcomer of the Year – Runner up is Logan Wenzel. At the tender age of 10 years, he’s a chip off the old block. He became interested in lifting watching his his older brother take on the record book. He has participated in all he can joining the Century Club two records ahead of his older brother! He has a bright future in lifting, finishing 2nd at the Stars of Tomorrow meet in June at Clark’s Gym. He is pictured below sporting his USAWA Award alongside dad after winning two gold medals (bench press and deadlift) on 26 July 2025 in Missouri’s Show Me Games. Congratulations to both of you!