Category Archives: USAWA Daily News

Results: Clark’s Gym Record Day

August 5, 2025

RECORD DAY – AUGUST 2-3, 2025

Participation in record days as stand-alone or as part of weekend competitions offered by Clark’s Gym continue to be quite popular.

We had a record 27 lifters (five gyms and two countries) involved on a day when there was also a record day in Lebanon, Pa., that surely drew some lifters from the local record day.

Here are the results:

From Clark’s Gym

Lisa Gore.   Age – 59.  Bwt. – 217.

Dinnie lift – 306.

Hackenschmidt floor press – 135.

Saxon deadlift – 85.

Dumbbell to shoulder – 80.

Allison Lupo.   Age – 59.   Bwt – 197.

Team clean and push press – 150.

Deadlift – one-leg -left – 50.

Deadlift – one leg – right – 50.

Deadlift – Inch bar – two hand – 2×47 – 94.

Team Ciavattone deadlift – 390.

Tony Lupo.    Age – 59.    Bwt. – 243.5

Team clean and push press – 150.

Foot press – 1,335.

Bench press – Fulton bar – 215.

Clean and jerk – two dumbbells – 2 x 60 – 120.

Team Ciavattone deadlift – 390.

Dave DeForest.    Age – 65.   Bwt. – 179.

Lurich lift – 390.

Deadlift – Fulton bar Dumbbell – Right – 126.

Thor’s hammer – 28.

Side press – left – 50.

Side press – right – 50.

Janet Thompson.   Age – 67.    Bwt. – 164.5

Cheat curl – left – 20.

Cheat curl – right – 20.

Crucifix – 2 x 10 – 20.

Deadlift – dumbbell – left – 100.

Deadlift – dumbbell – right – 100.

Travis Djuren.  Age – 43.   Bwt – 365.

Reeves deadlift – 405.

Foot press – 1,435.

Deadlift – Inch bar – left – 147.

Deadlift – Inch bar –  right – 147.

Riley Wenzel.    Age – 20.    Bwt. – 158.

Maxey press – 135.

Foot press – 1,180.

Piper squat – 135.

Habecker lift – 225.

Goerner stroll – 210.

Logan Wenzel.     Age – 10.   Bwt. – 73.

Piper squat – 28.

Foot press – 230.

Deadlift – three-inch bar – 85.

Deadlift – Fulton bar – 75.

Deadlift – one leg – left – 28.

Jeff Wenzel.    Age – 50.     Bwt. – 228.

Piper squat – 305.

Maxey press – 185.

Foot press – 1,710.

Goerner stroll – 270.

Clark’s Gym Officials:

Allison Lupo.

Bill Clark.

Tony Lupo.

Dave DeForest.

Jeff Wenzel.

From High Vigour Gym, Colorado

Team lifts:

Diya Gupta.    Age – 18.     Bwt. – 108.1.

Nisha Gupta.      Age – 16.   Bwt. – 89.5.

Bench press – alternate grip – 70.

Bench press – hands together – 70.

Bench press – one arm -left – 30.

Bench press – one arm – right – 30.

Bench press – reverse grip – 70.

Sanjiv Gupta.     Age – 54.    Bwt. – 210.7.

Continental to chest – 165.

Continental snatch – 115.

Reflex clean and jerk – 135.

Reflex clean and push press – 245.

Goerner stroll – 270.

Jarrod Fobes.       Age – 48.   Bwt. 217.7.

Snatch – one arm – left – 65.

Side press – left – 65.

Zercher lift – one arm – left – 165.

Swing – dumbbell – left – 86.

Cheat curl – dumbbell – one arm -left – 89.

Colorado officials:

Sanjiv Gupta.

Jarrod Gupta.

Ontario, Canada.

Chris Frappier.    Age – 60.   Bwt. – 218.

Vertical bar – 2 bars – 2-inch – 150.

Vertical bar – l bar – 2-inch – left – 90.

Vertical bar – l bar – I inch – left – 150.

Lurch lift – 285.

Joe Somfay.    Age – 80.    Bwt. – 190.4.

Jefferson lift – little fingers – 85.

Vertical bar – 2 bars – two inch – 140.

Vertical bar – 2 bars – one inch – 210.

Vertical bar – 1 bar – left – 115.

Vertical bar – 1 bar – right – 120.

Jeremy Law.    Age – 44.   Bwt. – 268.2.

Vertical bar – two bars – two inch – 225.

Vertical bar – two bars – one inch – 220.

Vertical bar – one bar – two inch – left – 120

Vertical bar – one bar – one inch – right – 125.

Canadian officials:

Those lifting plus Kyle Frappier.

Buffville, Kentucky, Gym.

Patrick Hadley.    Age – 54.   Bwt. – 92.8 kg.

Reflex bench press – 250.

Bench press – dumbbell – left – 105.

Bench press – dumbbell – right – 105.

Clint Poore.   Age – 51.   Bwt. – 107.0 kg. (??) Report had a typo.

Reflex Bench press – 415.

Bench press – dumbbell – one hand – right – 130.

Bench press –  dumbbell – one hand – left – 120.

Aaron Rains.    Age – 32.   Bwt – 95.6.

Reflex bench press – 335.

Bench press – dumbbell – one arm – left – 125.

Bench press – dumbbell – one arm – right – 130.

Turkish get-up – 105.

Kentucky officials:

Clint Poore.

Patrick Hadley.

Frank’s Barbell Club – Walpole, MA

Lilliana Jones    Age  9    BWT   60 kg

Reverse Curl – 28.5 lb   13 kg

Finger Lift – Middle Right  – 32 lb   14.5 kg

Finger Lift – Middle Left – 32 lb      14.5 kg

Finger Lift – Index Left – 27 lb        12.25 kg

Fringer Lift – Index Right – 27 lb     12.25 kg

Jessica Hopps    Age 41    BWT 80 kg  

Finger Lift – Middle Right  – 75 lb     34 kg

Finger Lift – Middle Left – 75 lb      34 kg

Finger Lift – Ring Left – 55 lb        25 kg

Finger Lift – Ring Right – 55 lb     25 kg

Finger Lift – Index Left – 57 lb        25.8 kg

Dan Jones       Age 41      BWT 85 kg

Bench Press, One Arm Right – 56 lb     25.5 kg

Finger Lift – Ring Left  – 100 lb         45.5 kg

Finger Lift – Middle Left – 112 lb      50.9 kg

Finger Lift – Index Left – 100 lb        45.5 kg

Finger Lift – Index Right – 112 lb    50.9 kg

Wade Marchand      Age 56   BWT 75 kg

Finger Lift – Middle Right  – 102 lb     46.3 kg

Finger Lift – Middle Left – 97 lb      44 kg

Finger Lift – Ring Right – 77 lb        35 kg

Finger Lift – Index Right – 77 lb     35 kg

Finger Lift – Index Left – 77 lb        35 kg

Nils Larson       Age 65        BWT 115

Bench Press Hands Together – 226 lb  102.7 kg

Bench Press Alternate Grip – 156 lb    70.9 kg

Bench Press One Arm Left – 56 lb       25.5 kg

Bench Press One Arm Right – 56 lb       25.5 kg

Bench Press Reverse Grip – 156 lb      70.9 kg

Carl Puzin        Age 68      BWT 105 kg

Finger Lift – Middle Right – 97 lb      44 kg

Finger Lift – Ring Left – 67 lb        30.5 kg

Finger Lift – Little Right – 52 lb     23.6 kg

Squat, Overhead – 45 lb              20.5 kg

Pull Over Press, Wrestler’s Bridge – 45 lb   20.5 kg

Frank Ciavattone     Age 70    BWT   125 kg

Finger Lift – Little Right  – 80 lb     36.3 kg

Finger Lift – Little Left – 75 lb      34 kg

Finger Lift – Ring Right – 80 lb       36.3 kg

Finger Lift – Middle Right – 100 lb     45.5 kg

Finger Lift – Index Right – 100 lb        45.5 kg

Massachusetts Officials

Frank Ciavattone

Wade Marchand

Nils Larson

LATER THIS MONTH.

The IAWA World Postal must be completed not later than August 31. Clark’s Gym had won the three-man team competition in 2021-22-23, but fell to second place in 2024. We hope to return to the top and have at least three teams in the mix – including a female squad.

The entire Clark’s Gym team is eligible to lift,regardless of where you live, but your lifts must be judged on site.

Rest up for a couple of weeks and we will gather in the air-cooled comfort of Clark’s Gym later in the month to take on the world.

2025 Award Winners: Sportsman of the Year

Look up the word sportsman in the dictionary, and one of the definitions is a person who behaves sportingly, which is to say in a fair or generous manner. This describes the 2025 USAWA Sportsmanship Award winner David DeForest (pictured below). Many of us would also think of someone who is accomplished in the sport as well. Dave has more than 350 USAWA records which ranks 6th all-time and first in Clark’s gym. When he competes, it is with a “quiet intensity” that does not let the weight get the best of him. As a 30+ year veteran, his lifting techniques are often near perfect. At a meet, Dave will do what is asked of him without complaint. And you’ll never hear him be overly vocal or dramatic during his W’s or L’s on the floor. In Columbia, Dave is always available to the newer lifters in our gym to answer questions, help us improve technique, to load and spot, or to referee even if it means coming in when he’s not necessarily competing. He is also very humble about his own accomplishments, preferring instead to highlight his teammates. Dave is more than just another person in Clark’s gym. These days he’s enjoying the title grandpa and makes a mean apple cider from his apple orchard. That is not to be said (mean) in the academic sense! Congratulations David DeForest!

2025 Award Winners: Club of the Year Runner up.

When you visit the Boston, MA area, the Cradle of Liberty, you think of American history and some of the best seafood you can find. In sports, you think of the Red Sox, Patriots, Celtics, and Bruins. In the USAWA, and beyond, we think of Frank’s Barbell Club in Walpole, MA. Nestled between Boston and Providence, RI, they are the easternmost organization of the USAWA and the 2025 USAWA Runner-up for gym of the year (see picture below). The criteria for this award are membership (Frank’s is one of the largest clubs), members competing in USAWA Nationals and IAWA Worlds (check), and sanctioning events (which they’ve done since last year – including a cross country OSTM event in May). They are certainly an active group. They have a record day coming up on Saturday 16 August which is listed on the Upcoming Events calendar! But, their members are more than a club, together they are like family. As their members will attest, the veterans help and give advice to the newer members with both lifting and life. They clearly enjoy competing together and their club is an important part of their lives. Led by Frank Ciavattone himself, part of the team was able to come to nationals in July 2025 and did very well. They are pictured below from left to right, Dan Jones, Frank Ciavattone, Jessica Hopps, Wade Marchand, and Nils Larson. Congratulations to Frank’s Barbell Club!    

2025 Award Winners: Courage Award Runner-Up and Lifter of the Month August 2025

If you google the name, Frank Ciavattone, you will find details for amazing feats of strength. For example, he is the first American to lift the Dinnie Stones and was inducted into Massachusetts Hall of Fame for wrestling. He is also in the USAWA Hall of Fame and ranks 5th all time with more than 360 records. Known for his toughness he’s battled and survived some serious health issues in the past. He founded and leads Frank’s Barbell Club in Walpole, MA. But, even more important to him, you will find words like kindness, character and generosity used to describe his personality. The 2025 USAWA Courage Award Runner-up and August 2025 USAWA Lifter of the Month is a true gentleman. He led a group of lifters from his gym to come and compete at the 2025 Nationals. He also competed side-by-side with the team in spite of quietly battling cancer. Congratulations to one of the living legends in the USAWA!  

2025 Presidential Cup

The Presidential Cup was at Habecker’s Gym even this year as all 5 lifters are members of Habecker’s Gym. There was some very good lifts done this year as 25 records were set or broken. Beth Skwarecki won the Presidential Cup for the 3rd time with her great chin-up record. Congratulations Beth!

  • August 2, 2025 – Habecker’s Gym- Lebanon, Pa.

BETH SKWARECKI- 44 – 142 lBS. – 65 Kg. Class – [ 40- 44 ]

Dumbbell to Shoulder – 50 Kg. – 110 Lbs.
Chin-up – 12.5 Kg. – 27.5 Lbs.
Piper Squat – 60 Kg. – 132 Lbs.
Clean & Seated Press- 2 Dumbbells – 36.4 kg – 80 Lbs.
Deadlift- Fulton Dumbbell – Right 35 Kg. – 77 Lbs.

STEVE JURY – 60 – 240 lBS. -110 Kg. Class – [ 60- 64 ]

Bench Press -Feet in Air- 85 Kg. – 187 Lbs.
Crucifix – 22.7 kg – 50 Lbs.
Swing- Dumbbell – Left – 37.5 Kg. 82 Lbs.
Swing -Dumbbell – Right – 40 Kg. 88 Lbs.
Press- Dumbbell – Left – 27.5 Kg. 60 Lbs.

MIKE LOCONDRO – 62 – 217 Lbs. – 100 Kg. Class [ 60 – 64 ]

People’s Deadlift – 185 Kg. – 407 Lbs.
Bent Over Row – 109.5 Kg. – 241 Lbs.
Dumbbell to Shoulder – 50 Kg. – 110 Lbs.
Piper Squat – 60 Kg. – 132 Lbs.
Good Morning – 40 Kg. – 88 Lbs.

BARRY PENSYL – 77 – 125.7 Lbs. – 60 Kg. Class [ 75 – 79 ]

Cheat Curl – 32.5 Kg. – 71 Lbs.
Crucifix – 9.1 kg – 20 Lbs.
Deadlift- One Hand- Left 65 Kg. – 143 Lbs.
Deadlift – One Hand – Right 65 Kg. – 143 Lbs.
Weaver Stick- Right Hand- Front – 0.9 kg – 2 Lbs.

DENNY HABECKER – 82 – 180.6 Lbs. 85 Kg. Class [ 80- 84 ]

Deadlift- 12″ Base – 110 Kg. – 242 Lbs.
Bench Press- Fulton Bar – 67.5 Kg. – 148 Lbs.
Deadlift- Fulton Dumbbell – Right 50 Kg – 110 Lbs.
Deadlift- No Thumbs – 95 Kg. – 209 Lbs.
Deadlift – One Hand – Left 75 Kg. -165 Lbs.

OFFICIALS: Denny Habecker, Barry Pensyl, Beth Skwarecki

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