USAWA

by Al Myers

(The following meet report was written by Bill Clark in the June 1995 issue of the Strength Journal, Vol.VI No. 5)

Kerry Clark, Art Montini …..USAWA’s Best

There were records galore and outstanding performances abounded at the USAWA National Championships on June 3-4 in Columbia, Mo.. but Kerry Clark came thru with the most outstanding performance of them all.  A small but talented field put an amazing total of 164 records in the book during the two-day, nine-event affair put on by Clark’s Gym…but the 555-pound neck lift by Kerry Clark had to be the outstanding lift of the weekend.

Kerry, a 31-year-old research analyst in the University of Missouri’s College of Agriculture, beat her own neck lift mark by 152 1/2 pounds and was 55 pounds better than any male lifter in the meet, regardless of age or size. In addition, Kerry moved atop the all-time women’s list in the hip lift with 1300 pounds and put a total of nine records in the book in the open 80 KG class.  She joined with teammate Dale Spry to do a 500-pound two-person deadlift – the first male-female lift to go on the USAWA record list.

The hand-and-thigh record was shattered by co-meet director Joe Garcia with a 1600-pound effort which jumped off the floor.  The mark is the best ever, regardless of bodyweight in the USAWA and stands seventh on the list of past efforts in Dave Willoughby’s “Strength Athletes”. Only one of those six lifts occurred in the past 85 years and none, in all probability, were done under the more strict rules which govern the USAWA…which puts Joe up there with the legends of our sport such as Louis Cyr, et al.

Kerry won the women’s “Best of the Best” title and the men’s “Best of the Best” went to 67-year-old Art Montini on an age-adjusted basis.  Montini set age group records in all nine lifts and added a left-hand deadlift mark of 275 pounds on record day.  Art edged out 40-year-old Bob Hirsh and 37-year-old John Carter fro the “Best” title.  Carter made an easy 2300-pound hip lift for openers, then jumped to 2600 on his second attempt. He failed twice.  Had he taken the 2525 needed to break his old mark, he would have added the “Best” title…but John wanted that 2600 more than an award.  “Next time!” he said.

The 25-lifter field was the smallest since the first year of the USAWA Championships, but had four first-timers in the field – two from Clark’s Gym. Thanks to a number of those who made cash contributions to the meet treasury, the meet broke even financially. Clark’s Gym sends the deepest appreciation to those who kept Garcia and Bill Clark from digging deep. 

MEET RESULTS

1995 USAWA National Championships
June 3-4, 1995
Columbia, Missouri

Meet Director: Bill Clark and Joe Garcia

Lifts: Continental to Chest and Jerk, Deadlift Heels Together, Pullover and Push, Zercher Lift, Neck Lift, Clean and Press Heels Together, Bench Press Feet in Air, One-Hand Deadlift, Hip Lift

Men: Top Ten Placings
1. Art Montini, Pennsylvania
2. Bob Hirsh, Ohio
3. John Carter, Missouri
4. Dale Friesz, Virginia
5. Jim Malloy, Ohio
6. Denny Habecker, Pennsylvania
7. Howard Prechtel, Ohio
8. Joe Garcia, Missouri
9. Chris Waterman, Ohio
10. Randy Joe Holden, Kansas

Women: Top Two Placings
1. Kerry Clark, Missouri
2. Noi Phumchaona, Ohio

Best Lifter Awards:
Women Open – Kerry Clark
Women Master – Noi Phumchaona
Men Open – Bob Hirsh
Men Master – Art Montini
Men Junior – Adam Geib

by Al Myers

(The following meet report covering the 1994 USAWA National Championships was written by Bill Clark in the June 1994 issue of the Strength Journal, Vol. V No.3)

Noi and Malloy: Robbie, Jackie, and Hirsh — the Best!!!

CLEVELAND, OH JUNE 4-5th: The record book took a beating as 37 lifters from eight states enjoyed a two-day, fun-filled session of lifting and meetings under the direction of USAWA president Howard Prechtel at the seventh annual National All-Round Weightlifting Association Championship.

The women’s field was led by Jacqueline Simonsen, the open best lifter, and Noi Phumchaona, the top master.  The best junior was Robbie McKean. Jim Malloy edged out Art Montini in a tight race for the masters’ best lifter and 39-year-old Bob Hirsh was untouchable in the open division.  The actual number of records set won’t be known till Joe Garcia’s computer gets to work on a list which is fast approaching 2000 entries.  No less than 13 marks fell on fourth attempts alone and another three were added when lifters did one-hand lifts with both hands for record without leaving the bar. Another of other marks were near-misses such as Frank Ciavattone’s 1600 lb. hand and thigh.

A 24-year-old in his first-ever USAWA championship almost stole the show, Goeff Gazda, a 131-pounder who trains with Chris Waterman, was built more like a distance runner than a strength athlete, but set half a dozen records, including four on fourth attempts.   He is surely a lifter with a future, considering his slight build.

The meet was held at the Clarion Hotel in suburban Eastlake with excellent accommodations.  The hotel will be the site of the Gold Cup in November, once again to be under its founder, Howard Prechtel.  There’s a good chance the 1995 IAWA Championships will be at the same site.  Our hat’s off to Howard, who directed, fielded questions and solved problems, ran the USAWA board meeting, and still did a number of record lifts – at the young age of 69.

MEET RESULTS

1994 USAWA National Championships
June 4-5, 1994
East Lake, Ohio

Meet Director: Howard Prechtel
Emcee: Bill Clark
Scorekeeper: Marilyn McKean

Lifts: Clean and Push Press, Jefferson Lift, One-Hand Hack Lift, Cheat Curl, One-Hand Snatch, Zercher Lift, Hand and Thigh

Men: Top Ten Placings
1. Bob Hirsh, Ohio
2. Bill DiCioccio Jr, Pennsylvania
3. Jim Malloy, Ohio
4. Bill DiCioccio Sr, Pennsylvania
5. Goeff Gazda, Ohio
6. Art Montini, Pennsylvania
7. Chris Waterman, Ohio
8. Howard Prechtel, Ohio
9. Mike Locondro, Pennsylvania
10. John McKean, Pennsylvania

Women: Top Three Placings
1. Jacqueline Simonsen, Vermont
2. Noi Phumchaona, Ohio
3. Deanna Springs, Missouri

Best Lifter Awards:
Women Open – Jacqueline Simonsen
Women Master – Noi Phumchaona
Men Open – Bob Hirsh
Men Master – Jim Malloy
Men Junior – Robbie McKean

by Al Myers

(The following meet report was written by Bill Clark in the Strength Journal Vol.IV No.3. )

A FAMILY AFFAIR AT THE USAWA

The USAWA Nationals turned out to be a two-family affair on the male side while Jacqueline Caron dominated the women’s division.  The meet, held in Middletown, PA., under the co-direction of Paul Montini and Paul Healey, drew an entry of 36 lifters from 11-year-old Rocco Montini to 73-year-old Paul Eberhardinger and saw the usual number of records go into the book.

Jacqueline Caron took the women’s division with 1486.33 Lynch Points, beating out Noi Phumchaona and Kerry Clark, who did some outstanding lifting of their own.

The top male award went to Bill DiCiccio, Jr., who scored 1802.92 Lynch Points, beating out his dad, Bill Sr., who was third with 1724.32 points.  Bob Hirsh of Cleveland was runnerup with 1799.6 points, losing his chance to take the best lifter award when his right knee crumpled under a 1580 hip lift. The injury seemed to be minimal.  DiCiccio, Sr., wound up second to Art Montini in the Battle for top master lifter. Art had 2078.12 points on the age-amended list – which, if a trophy overall for the age-amended list were given, would have gone to him.

The top junior lifter was Rocco Montini, who scored 1484.92 points as an 11-year-old in the 35 KG class.  Rocco – Rocky – is Art’s grandson and the son of Paul Montini, the co-meet director.

In the master’s division, Noi Phumchaona (45-49) made her last start in that age group a winner. She was the only master gal on hand.  In the men’s 40-44, Paul Montini was the best – making it three Montini’s. At 45-49, Barry Pensyl was the winner, 50-54 winner was Bill DiCiccio, Sr., 55-59 belonged to John Vernacchio, 60-64 went to Dennis Mitchell, 65-69 was Art Montini, 70-74 was Paul Eberhardinger.  And, just to keep things in perspective, on the age-amended formula, Bill DiCiccio Sr., was 146 points better than Junior.

Thanks to the two Pauls – Montini and Healey – for quick and accurate results and for setting examples by showing excellent lifting form and strength, as well. 

MEET RESULTS

1993 USAWA National Championships
May 22-23, 1993
Middletown, Pennsylvania

Meet Directors: Paul Montini and Paul Healey

Lifts: Clean and Push Press, Jefferson Lift, Steinborn, Zercher Lift, Hand and Thigh, Hip Lift

Men: Top Ten Placings
1. Art Montini, Pennsylvania
2. Bill DiCioccio Sr., Pennsylvania
3. Jim Malloy, Ohio
4. Bill DiCioccio Jr, Pennsylvania
5. Bob Hirsh, Ohio
6. Barry Pensyl, Pennsylvania
7. Chris Waterman, Ohio
8. John Kurtz, Ohio
9. John McKean, Pennsylvania
10. John Monk, Pennsylvania

Women: Top Three Placings
1. Jacqueline Caron, Vermont
2. Noi Phumchaona, Ohio
3. Kerry Clark, Missouri

Best Lifter Awards:
Women Open – Jacqueline Caron
Men Open – Bill DiCioccio Jr.
Women Master – Noi Phumchaona
Men Master – Art Montini
Men Junior – Rocco Montini
Men 40-44 Age Group – Paul Montini
Men 45-49 Age Group – Barry Pensyl
Men 50-54 Age Group – Bill DiCioccio Sr.
Men 55-59 Age Group – John Vernacchio
Men 60-64 Age Group – Dennis Mitchell
Men 65-69 Age Group – Art Montini
Men 70-74 Age Group – Paul Eberhardinger