USAWA

By Al Myers

MEET ANNOUNCEMENT –

The Dino Gym Challenge presents the:

“Legends and Leaders Showcase”

The annual Dino Gym Challenge has always been the meet to launch the USAWA meet calendar for the new year. Every year I try to come up with a new meet theme to keep this meet a new and exciting challenge for everyone.

This year the theme is the “Legends and Leaders Showcase”.

The two “legends” I have chosen to honor in this challenge are Wilbur Miller and Ed Zercher.  Both of these guys competed in All Round Weightlifting BEFORE there was the USAWA – when All Round Weightlifting was known as Odd Lifting.  They “paved the way” to the formation of the USAWA, and their influence is still felt on our sport today.  How many times have we done the Zercher Lift in competitions?  MANY!  We have Ed Zercher to thank for that.  Wilbur Miller was way ahead of his time when it came to All Round Weightlifting.  Most remember Wilbur for his powerlifting excellence, especially when it came to a big deadlift.  But Wilbur was way more than just a powerlifter – in fact he excelled at ALL types of lifting.  He competed in Olympic Weightlifting as well in addition to his All Round Weightlifting.  He also was a top notch grip lifter.  He was the man who could do it all when it came to strength!

The two “leaders” that I have picked to honor in this challenge are Denny Habecker and Frank Ciavattone. Just like Ed and Wilbur being the pioneers of All Round Weightlifting, Denny and Frank have been the men that have led the USAWA throughout the history of the organization.  We wouldn’t have the USAWA if it was not for the leadership of these two outstanding men.  They have promoted meets, recruited new members, served as officers in the USAWA, and have represented the USAWA at the IAWA level above all others.  There are others that have been great leaders in the USAWA – but only Denny and Frank have been doing it since the FORMATION of the USAWA!!!  That’s over 30 years of devotion to the USAWA.

I am very excited about this year’s Dino Gym Challenge.  The four lifts that I picked for the meet are to honor these four great men and to thank them for all they have done for All Round Weightlifting and the USAWA.

MEET DETAILS:

Meet Director:            Al Myers and the Dino Gym 785-479-2264

Meet Date:                 Saturday, January 18th, 2020  1:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Location:                    Dino Gym, 1126 Eden Road, Abilene, KS 67410

Sanction:                    U.S.A.W.A Memberships cards can be purchased on meet day

Weigh-ins:                  12:00 -1:00 PM the day of the meet

Divisions:                   Depends who shows up

Awards:                     Don’t expect one

Entry Fee:                  None – but please notify me in advance if you plan to attend

Lifts:

Miller Clean and Jerk

Zercher Lift – One Arm

Habecker Lift

Ciavattone  Deadlift

The lifts will be done is this order.