Results From the 2026 Ed Zercher Strength Classic.
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.