USAWA

By Jeff Bankens

We had a total of 9 competitors: 4 in-person at “Iron Sharpens Iron Weightlifting Club (located in Southwest Louisiana)and 5 remote participants (Clark’s Gym in Missouri).

We had a wide-range of weight classes and age groups represented, showing the family-friendly nature of our organization. While we had a great time lifting and competing against one-another, we were also able to enjoy growing in camaraderie and friendship with one another,

Lifting started off about 9am on one of a handful of “perfect” weather days we have along the Gulf coast. It was cool, sunny, & mild. I could not have imagined a more perfect day to lift in a carport gym.

Following the meet, the lifters were able to set (I believe) 31 records on our records day!

After discussing things over dinner with the Lupo’s, our plan is to do this met again next year. We also believe we will be able to attract more in-person lifters.

I want to personally thank everyone who participated in our meet and helped make the Bayou Beast Bash a huge success. God-willing, we look forward to being able to host this meet again next year!

Editor’s Note – Congratulations on an amazing event. I think I am most impressed that the athlete field included two women and two junior lifters. I also love seeing the Teeth Lift making a resurgence in the records list.

Enclosed are the results of the 2026 Ed Zercher Strength Classic held annually in Clark’s Gym. We’re not exactly sure how old this meet is, but it’s around 40 years old! There are still records from this event going back to 1988, so it’s at least 38 years old. This year’s rendition was scheduled for 24 – 25 January 2026, but some deep snow and bitter cold (apologies to our clubs further north!) forced an extension of the timeline. And this years’ event drew only six lifters. Admittedly, this event is physically one of the toughest in the USAWA pantheon of meets. The Zercher meet this year contained 12 lifts, some of which can be difficult to do if you have physical limitations.

On the women’s side, two lifters, Janet Thompson and Allison Lupo competed and they were close throughout the event. Janet emerged the winner by about 70 lbs, though age and weight separated the two a bit more. Both lifters were at the top of their game, and their Hip Lifts and Harness Lifts produced some excellent results. Janet turned in a 705 pound lift which set an age and weight record. She set new standards in five events and tied her best in two others. Allison’s Harness Lift totaled 605 pounds in spite of a knee that has bothered her for some years. This was an age / weight record as well as an “ALL” record. She totaled seven new records three of which were also ‘ALL’s.

On the Men’s side, Jeff Wenzel and Travis Luther paced the field with Jeff taking the top spot by a wide margin in raw weight (7,440 lbs). However, when the age and weight factors came into play, the score was much tighter! Jeff posted age/weight adjusted top scores in seven of 12 events and set an age weight record on top of that (Bench Press, Feet in Air), picking up in 2026 where he left off in 2025 with another meet win! Travis was not far from a 7,000 lb total checking in with 6,785 lbs when all was said and done, as well as top marks in two age/weight adjusted events. Jeff and Travis put on quite the show with a pair of 2,000 lb Harness Lifts. Jeff was also strong with the Hand and Thigh Lift and Travis with an impressive Hack Lift. John Carter and Tony Lupo were much closer in the battle for third. Both lifters have some injuries that hamper them on at least three of the lifts. John pulled out third place and showed he still has ‘game’ with top finishes in three of 12 age adjusted events. He set an impressive age / weight record with 1600 lbs in the Hip Lift. Tony managed a third place finish in raw weight, but 4th overall, setting two new standards in the Bench Press, Feet in Air and the Deadlift Heels Together.

By Jessica Hopps

Franks Barbell Club hosted ins annual New Years Eve Record Breaker event again this year; this year opening up to remote entries. 2025 brought in an amazing 15 lifters from Massachusetts, Colorado, and Missouri. It’s great to see so many joining in the festivities and ringing in the new year by clanging some heavy weights!

Massachusetts Officials: Frank Ciavattone, Wade Marchand, Nils Larson, Jessica Hopps (in training) Dan Jones (in training)

Jessica Hopps, 159lbs, 75K- 41 Years old
Little Finger Lift- Left- 39.5 lbs
Ring Finger Lift- Left- 67 lbs
Middle Finger Lift- Left- 77 lbs
Index Finger Lift- Left- 64.5 lbs
Index Finger Lift- Right- 67 lbs

Dan Jones, 186 lbs, 85K- 41 years old
Hand and Thing Lift- 1050 lbs
Hacklift- ring fingers- 97lbs
Straddle Lift- little fingers- 77lbs
Straddle Lift- Middle Fingers- 215 lbs
Straddle Lift- Ring Fingers- 158 lbs

Wade Marchand, 164 lbs, 75K- 56 years old
Bench press alternate grip- 146 lbs
Bench press reverse grip- 156 lbs
Bench press- 2 dumbbells- 80 lbs
Bench Press 1 Dumbbell LEFT- 40 lbs
Bench Press 1 Dumbbell RIGHT- 40 lbs

Nils Larson, 238lbs, 110k, 66 years old
Middle finger lift RIGHT- 212 lbs
Middle finger lift LEFT- 201.5 lbs
Bench press Alternate grip- 206 lbs
Bench press- feet in the air- 220 lbs
Bench press one arm LEFT- 40lbs

Frank Ciavattone, 270 lbs, 125K, 70 years old
2 hand vertical bar, 2”- 341 lbs
2 hands vertical bar, 1”- 341 lbs
Civattone Deadlift, LEFT-208 lbs
Thumbless Deadlift, LEFT- 187 lbs
Thumbless Deadlift, RIGHT-187 lbs

Clarks Gym Officials:  Lisa Gore, Bill Clark, Jeff Wenzel, Dave DeForest, Tony Lupo

JANET THOMPSON, 164.5lbs, 75K, 68 years old
Deadlift – Fulton Bar – 160.
Deadlift – Fulton Bar – left – 86.
Side press left – 15.
Side press -right – 15.

LISA GORE, 219 lbs, 100K, 60 years old
Jefferson lift – Fulton Bar – 225.
Deadlift- Fulton Bar – 277.  
Deadlift – Index fingers – 95.
Deadlift – Middle fingers – 95.
Deadlift – ring fingers – 95.

TONY LUPO, 244lbs, 115K, 59 years old
Clean and press -heels together – 140.
Clean and press seated – behind neck – 110.
Dumbbell press – right – 62.
Dumbbell press – left – 90.
Clean and Jerk – left – 90.

DAVE DeFOREST, 184lbs, 85K, 65 years old 
Snatch – two dumbbells –  2×45 – 90.
Swing – two dumbbells – 2×45 – 90
Seated press from rack – 95.
Press – dumbbell – right – 55.
Deadlift – Inch Bar – two bars – 2×85 – 170.  

JEFF WENZEL, 230 lbs, 105K 50 years old
Side press – left – 75.
Side press – right – 75.
Press from rack – seated – behind neck – 140.
Snatch – two dumbbells – 2×65 – 130.
Dumbbell deadlift – right – 255.

LOGAN WENZEL, 77lbs, 35K, 11 years old    
Swing – left – 15.
Vertical bar deadlift – one bar – 2 inch – 56.
Side press -left – 10.
Side press – right – 10.
Deadlift – left – 50.

Colorado Officials – Jarrod Fobes, Sanjiv Gupta, Nisha Gupta, Kim Van Wagner (in training)

Sanjiv Gupta, 205.9 pounds (95KG class) – 54 years old
Deadlift, 3″ Bar – 305 pounds
Dumbbell Walk – 83 pounds
Pinch Grip Deadlift, One Hand, Left – 45 pounds
Pinch Grip Deadlift, One Hand, Right – 45 pounds
Side Press, Dumbbell, Left – 50 pounds

Diya Gupta, 112.5 pounds (55KG class) – 18 years old
Vertical Bar Deadlift, 1 Bar, 1″, Right – 101 pounds
Vertical Bar Deadlift, 1 Bar, 1″, Left – 96 pounds
Vertical Bar Deadlift, 1 Bar, 2″ Right – 90 pounds
Vertical Bar Deadlift, 1 Bar, 2″ Left – 90 pounds

Jarrod Fobes , 220.4lbs (100kg class) 48 years old
Deadlift, 3in bar:  355lbs
Pull up: 40lbs
Bearhug: 230lbs
Cheat curl, dumbbell, right: 92lbs
Deadlift, Fulton bar: 365lbs

Kim Van Wagner, 128.8lbs (60kg class), 58 years old
Crucifix: 30lbs
Bearhug: 130 lbs
Clean and Press, Heels together: 62.5 lbs
Clean and Press on knees: 65 lbs
Clean and Jerk, behind neck: 65lbs