MN Powerlifting News

Twin Cities Open announcement

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 20:00:00 GMT

To lifters who attend our events.

For some time Jim Cahill and myself have been working on plans to bring our Powerlifting events to the next level. We have been evaluating everything from the gear we use, the extras we provide, and we as you know considered a change in sanction. We decided to pursue the AAU as a sanction for our events. They offer many great things to its members, and had a rule book that was very inline with the federation that started the USAPL called the ADFPA. A federation that had over 7 thousand members,and a clear mission for drug free lifting. It had a common sense approach to lifting that we felt the USAPL has since lost.

Jim and I competed at an AAU Nationals this past month to cement this new relationship for Minnesota. We found many great qualities as expected at the event. The judging was consistent and fair. I experienced the 3rd party drug testing process first hand, and found them to be of the highest professionalism and experience. We also meet many great people, people who were interested in putting the experience of Powerlifting first, rather then the bureaucracy we have seen elsewhere.

However since we have experienced the AAU first hand, we have found differences that have forced us to reconsider our decision process. The presentation of the National event didn’t match what we expect for such events. The depth of competition was limited, and we found that the local drug testing goal was much farther off than we originally understood.

With this new information we spoke with members in our state to get their feedback. Based on our experience and the feedback we have made the decision to not run Twin Cities Open as an AAU event. The Twin Cities Open will be run as a USAPL event in 2012.

We want to thank everyone who supports our events. And we want to thank the AAU for introducing us to their organization. We wish them the best of luck in the future.

Thanks, see you at the Twin Cities Open

Jim Cahill

Meet Director Twin Cities Open

USAPL State Chair Minnesota

Brad Madvig

Meet Director Twin Cities Open

Southside Bully

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 05:44:00 GMT

So often I write about the demise of Powergyms. Or how gyms claim to be Powergyms sell out to the commercial masses and its negative effect it has on Powerlifting as a whole. This isn’t one of those times. Quite frankly its quite the opposite. For over a decade the south half of the suburbs have only lifetime fitness, or snap fitness. A bleak set of options for any true strength athlete to do what they need to do to be strong. Such places that discriminate against those who go to the gym for its intended purpose, to become stronger and better people. Such health clubs do not care about people like us, or people in general, they want only your membership money.

Sure there have been some basement gyms that have come around in that part of the state. But building such places is an expensive venture that not everyone can do. Well a new chapter, a new home for the displaced strength athlete now has come to the southern suburbs. As part of Southside Athletic Club, Southside Bully has opened up under the experienced management of Rachel and Scott Nutter. They join Garth Heckman and Mike Hamilton as owners of the Southside Athletic Club/Southside Bully facility. Rachel and Scott have been deeply involved in Powerlifting for many years. Rachel and Scott have competed at the national and world level. They both direct events, and as of recent you have seen them at the USAPL state events working themselves ragged for the love of Powerlifting.

For a number of years they ran a gym called “Elite Barbell’ which cultivated a number of very strong lifters. Now they have moved to Burnsville and proudly display on their website how they celebrate bent bars, and how they have set the bar higher. Boasting 2 monolifts, belt squatter, glute/ham machine, monster size dumbbells, two deadlift platforms, two power racks, 4 power benches, chains, bands, chalk, boards, 2 Texas Squat Bars, Elitefts Safety Squat bar, rackable cambered bar, Buffalo Bar, Elitefts Swiss Bar, Ivanko Power Bar, Iron Wolf Bench Bar and music that will pound your senses.

Join me in celebrating the birth of a new home for Powerlifting. Support those whom make our sport happen, pay a visit to the Southside Bully.

Southside Bully
1103 West Burnsville Parkway (651)-895-9096
Burnsville, MN 55337
www.ssbgym.com

New Venue for Powerlifting Events Program

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 01:08:00 GMT

Find a venue, win $100

One of the biggest parts of directing a powerlifting event is finding a place to have the event. There are a wide range of needs that have to be met. Then we need to take those needs and find a venue that can satisfy those needs to make the best event possible.

This is not an easy thing to accomplish. So we can continue to deliver the best possible events, we are calling on you the lifters to help find us new places that we can compete at. Find us a venue, and you could win $100. Here is a list of ideal requirements needed for a successful event.

Rental of cost must be $800 or less
Free Parking
Wi FI or other Internet access
Hotels/Restaurants within 10 min of venue
Access to warm up equipment
Easy loading area for platform equipment
Tables and chairs access.
Access to venue night before for set up *
Owner/landlord of venue is flexible on end times on the events*
Restrooms must accommodate at least 3 people at one time *

Now we know that all of these requirements may not be possible. And you may have some unique ideas about what would make a meet great. We would love to hear those ideas as well. If you find a venue that you would like to submit for consideration, please contact us. Once we sign the agreement with the venue, you get $100.

*required for consideration

MN STATE 2012 Featured on "The Patch"

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 03:11:00 GMT

The Patch of Maple Grove did a write up on the MN State Open. They headline bencher Lee Salz.

Check it out

Maple Grove Patch.

MN STATE OPEN 2012 Report

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 02:57:00 GMT

Powerlifting was brought to the city of Mankato this year, and hosted by Bethany Lutheran College. This event bought out 65 strength athletes from across Minnesota to compete for the title of champion. These champions both women and men alike crossed every age category and level of experience. From the first time competitor, to the world champion we had great lifting from the start of the day to the very last lift.

For the women's category brought 11 lifters Kristi Trussel whom has only competed in a couple contests so far won with a decisive wilks score of 392 points. Kristi topped this off with a big 319 pound deadlift. The women's also saw a first time lifter take second place, Stephanie Leonard scored a 318 wilks point total and completed all her lifts perfectly for the judges. A great start to a promising competing future.

The Masters men contest, whom those whom don’t know what is defined as a ‘Master’ are competitors whom are 40 years of age or older. Masters in Powerlifting prove that age means nothing with respects to ability. Winning the Masters contest in decisive fashion was Brian Hudyma, whom has been competing since the most early days of Powerlifting with a 467 wilks total. Taking second place was Sid Rid. Taking third place was the heavyweight Callistus Schissel whom had a massive bench of over 500 pounds.

The open contest (for those of any age group) brought out a group of lifters whom hail from a place called Jackals Gym. Coaching this group of lifters is multi world champion Brad Gillingham. Three of the Jackals lifted some of the heaviest weight of the contest. World Game team member Nick Tylutki finished the day with a 661 deadlift and a 1661 pound total winning the 220 pound weight class. Two Powerlifting brothers Jordon and Jon Krogman were major stars of the event. Jordon placing second to Nick Tylutki with a 1543 pound total. His brother Jon in the 242 pound weight class matched the massive deadlift of Nick with 661 pounds.

This contest also brought a performance which demonstrated a bright future in Powerlifting. Teen lifter Luke Klien whom is built much like his coach Brad Gillingham weighing in over 330 pounds set three American records. This included a 600 pound squat, 380 pound bench press and 1603 total.

The bench only portion of the contest winner was the lumberjack David Lewis. Followed by new coming Mike Riley whom at his first contest smashed a master bench record by over 30 pounds.

Best Lifter honors go to

Women: Kelly Gabrielson

Men: Jon Krogman

Best lifters were determined by whomever got closest to the national record total

Special thanks goes out to:

Event Staff

Spotters and Loaders:

Scott and Rachel Nutter
Jay Ragalie
Jesse Arnold
Jason Eggers
Chris Ortendahl

Judges

Wade Kish
Bob Saniti
Shawn Cain
Rebecca Main

Scoring Table/Announcing

Amy Madvig
Monica Augustine
Angela Simons
Alyssa Hitchcock

Sponsors:

Millerefit.com
Jackals Gym jackalsgym.com
Elite Barbell
Nemesis Gym
Dr Dan Tierney of Tierney Chiropractic

And most of all thank you to

Bethany Lutheran College and Josh Anderson of Greater Mankato whom made this all possible.

MN STATE OPEN UPDATES

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:29:00 GMT

If you are receiving this message, you are either competing in this upcoming weekends MN State Open powerlifting contest, or are part of the staff.

I want to thank all those whom have entered, we have quite a diverse lineup of great lifters of all ages both men and women. I also want to express my gratitude to those whom many have stepped up without being asked to help out at this event. This event happens because of people like you, I can't say thank you enough.

I have vital information to share with all of you. First we have flight information posted thank you to Jim Cahill.

Here we go: Flight 1: All Bench only lifters (12). Weigh-in 7-8:30AM, rules briefing 8:30-8:45AM. Lifting begins at 9:00AM. Flight 2: All women powerlifters and men's master lifters through 181 (13). Weigh-in 8:00-9:30AM, rules briefing 9:30-9:45AM. Lifting begins at 10:00AM. Flight 3: Men's master 198-SHW (13). Weigh-in 8:00-9:30AM, rules briefing 9:30AM-9:45AM. Lifting will follow Flight 2. After Flight 3, awards for the women and masters will be presented

Afternoon session: Flight 4: All men's teen, junior, and open lifters through 181 (13). Weigh-in from 12:30-2:00PM, rules briefing 2:00-2:15PM. Lifting ESTIMATED to begin at 2:30PM. Flight 5: Mens Open 198-SHW (16). Weigh-in from 12:30-2:00PM, rules briefing 2:00-2:15PM. Lifting will follow flight 4. After flight 5, the final awards will be presented.

Afternoon session: Flight 4: All men's teen, junior, and open lifters through 181 (13). Weigh-in from 12:30-2:00PM, rules briefing 2:00-2:15PM. Lifting ESTIMATED to begin at 2:30PM. Flight 5: Mens Open 198-SHW (16). Weigh-in from 12:30-2:00PM, rules briefing 2:00-2:15PM. Lifting will follow flight 4. After flight 5, the final awards will be presented.

Event Staff information

I am requesting all judges join us at 7 a.m on Feb 11th at the venue.

For those whom primary duties will be spotting and loading, Please join by 8:45 a.m so we can get your positions set up.

Given the size of this event, with the exception of the scoring table staff, you can expect to be asked to preform spotting and loading duties for some part of the day. Last year we were blessed with the help from Scott and Rachel Nutter and the gang from Elite Barbell whom spotted and loaded the entire day. They have stepped up again this year, and we owe it to them to give them breaks when ever possible.

MN State Open date and Venue set

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 17:48:00 GMT

Date and venue is set for MN State Open 2012

Date: February 11th 2012

Venue: Bethany Lutheran College

Event website: state.thepress.org

Gale Gillingham passes away at 67

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 08:08:00 GMT

One whom can easily be called the father of giants (Karl,Brad and Wade) has passed away while training in his garage. Gale Gillingham was 67 years old.

Report from wearegreenbay.com

Facts on Gale Gillingham from Wikipedia

APT Wraps no longer legal

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 03:47:00 GMT

Taken from the IPF Website

Dear all,

due the fact that the company APT-Pro Wrist Straps does not fulfill their obligations to the IPF, all equipment from the company APT-Pro Wrist Straps will be removed from the IPF approval list with the date 31.12.2011.

With the date of 01.01.2012 the equipment from the company APT-Pro Wrist Straps will be not longer allowed to use at IPF championships or championships of IPF affiliated member federations.

If you have any complain, please contact directly the company APT-Pro Wrist Straps: www.prowriststraps.com

International Powerlifting Federation

Hudson 2011 lineup so far

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 02:02:00 GMT

Here is the line up so far for Hudson Natural Open 2011

Name	Division	Wt Class	Home	State
Justin Nelson	Open	148	Eau Claire	WI
Mike Schuelke	Open	181	Waukesha	WI
Jessie Betzinger	Open	242	Neenah	WI
Jim Langer	Open	SHW	Milwaukee	WI
Gary Grahn	Open/mast	198	Atwater	MN
Jeff Monahos	Open/mast	220	Wisc. Rapids	WI
Gary Edwards	Open/mast	220	St Paul	MN
Cheyann Moloney	Open/teen/fem	132	Neenah	WI
Courtney Johnson	Open/teen/fem	148	River Falls	WI
Anna Brettingen	Open/teen/fem	165	River Falls	WI
Alex Trinidad	Open/teen/male	148	Racine	WI
Spencer Miller	Open/teen/male	165	Neenah	WI
Colton Jones	Open/teen/male	198	Roberts	WI
Dellonta Mills	Raw	148	Neenah	WI
Shane Cameron	Raw	148	Minneapolis	MN
Nicholus Stapler	Raw	165	Blaine	MN
Nick Gagnon	Raw	198	St Cloud	MN
Travis Yasgar	Raw	198	Sartell	MN
Seth Harelson	Raw	198	Sparta	WI
Eric Lohman	Raw	198	Nashwauk	MN
Mike Sampson	Raw	220	Minneapolis	MN
Brian Trussell	Raw	220	St Paul	MN
Chris Jones	Raw	220	Oshkosh	WI
Shawn Kinzel	Raw	275	Minneapolis	MN
Bob Sainati	Raw/mast	165	Bloomington	MN
Scott O Brian	Raw/mast	165	Shakapee	MN
Theron Fonder	Raw/mast	181	Minneapolis	MN
Bill Miller	Raw/mast	181	Neenah	WI
Sid Reid	Raw/mast	181	Apple Valley	MN
Mike Hulse	Raw/mast	181	New Market	MN
Blake Hanson	Raw/mast	198	Brooklyn Park	MN
John Valpatic	Raw/mast	198	Wanatah	IN
Brian Briggs	Raw/mast	198	Holcombe	WI
Ray Magnuson	Raw/mast	198	River Falls	WI
Doug Miller	Raw/mast	198	Wyoming	MN
Jeff Campbell	Raw/mast	275	Eagan	MN
Sue Hallen	Raw/mast/wom	ULT	Elk Grove	IL
Landon Kaiser	Raw/teen/male	165	River Falls	WI
Clayton Ramsden	Raw/teen/male	181	Nekoosa	WI
Fawn Friday	Raw/wom	123	St Paul	MN
Kristi Trussell	Raw/wom	132	St Paul	MN
Courtney Bisinger	Raw/wom	165	Sparta	WI

Grand Opening.. Grand Closing (The Gym in Plymouth is closed)

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 20:42:00 GMT

I think Chris Rock put it best

I just about a min ago received a report that The Gym in Plymouth is closed. Boy that didn't take long. Where I joke, its sad to power gyms fail.

More information as we receive it.

Border Battle for Hudson Open 2011

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 09:43:00 GMT

HUDSON NATURAL OPEN 2011

THE BORDER BATTLE!

Calling on all Minnesota Powerlifters. Calling on our new Crossfit freak friends. There is a meet coming up on October 29th 2011 called the Hudson Natural Open. This event is one of the oldest running Powerlifting events in the country. Outside of this just being a fine contest in a great location, its host to something called 'The Border Battle'. Now the border battle is something special between Powerlifters in both Wisconsin and Minnesota. Its a yearly team contest with a traveling event trophy.

To determine the winner of the border battle, its scored like this. Depending on the number of entries we take the top number of lifters wilks scores from each state and add them up for a total to declare the team winner.

Since 2002 when this contest started Minnesota has won 4 of these contests. Wisconsin has won 5 pulling ahead in this battle just last year. Now we have the chance to even the score with Wisconsin, because do we really want to be beaten by those whom;

Are seen wearing camouflage at social events (including weddings and funerals).
Go out to fish fry every Friday.
Consider a 'brat' something to eat
Throw parties to celebrate new pole sheds.
And worst of them all... Have the entire family wear Packer green to Church on Sunday.

Beware of this guy from Team Wisconsin.

Does this send shivers up your spine? It should, now for those who want to know how to be part of the MN Team. All you have to do is enter the Hudson Natural Open. Download the entry here.

You might be asking yourself, why enter when only the very top of the team get counted for scoring? Well it costs nothing extra to be part of the team, and every lifter counts in this contest. They count because you don't know what lifters on our team may have a bad day. You don't know whom will bomb, and you whom may think that your not worthy of being on this team. But Hudson may be the meet of your life. Your score may be the difference between winning and losing. The team contest has come down to only a few wilks points a few times before.

Plus Team Wisconsin gets annoyed with seeing a lot of Minnesota lifters. They start mumbling to themselves when they see how strong we are, and they start going off how great the Packers are, and then its all down hill for Team Wisconsin. They may have Football over us, but lets not give them the true sport of Powerlifting

Join us.. Join Team Minnesota Today and Enter Hudson Natural Open.. Download the entry now! Help us reclaim the title!

Questions... let me know

MAD
Sergeant at Arms
Team Minnesota 2011

Ode to Sid Reid

Sat, 20 Aug 2011 06:59:00 GMT

There are a ton of thoughts flowing through my head about this weekends meet. The new friends Powerlifting has made with Crossfit people coming to our events. Will they be back for more? I think so, but even if they don't, they made the Twin Cities Open a very special event for all. There is one guy who sticks out in my mind that I want to thank and give congrats to, That is Sid Reid.

Now I don't have the results yet, but I am quite sure he won his class. He went for yet another American squat record. The crowd came alive more then normal when he went to the platform to do his thing. Sid will remain one of those lifters who I would come to the meet just to see him lift.

Not only do I want to give congrats to Sid on the platform. But a big thanks for what he did off the platform. Now anyone who has competed even a handful of meets knows you feel like a truck hit you after that last deadlift. That did not matter to Sid he went into action to help us clean up after the event.When it came to the Twin Cities Open this past weekend a lot of people helped out. That alone was awesome, but Sid not only moved chairs, cleaned up garbage, but he helped us move a lot of the plates out of the venue to the moving truck.

Now Sid didn't just grab a few 5's and 10' pound plates. He was grabbing 100 pound plates. He was loading the very hard to grab Ivanko Plates, He as pushing the wheel barrow down the very long hall way. He was grabbing squat racks which are heavy and clumsy as hell and lifting up on the truck with little or no help. All while us younger guys whom some of us are half his age are bent over, panting sweating and wanting to give up.

What really blew my mind is when he slipped and fell off the back of the of the moving truck. He fell about 4 feet flat on his back. Once everyone got over the stun of what happened we checked to see if Sid was ok. He was stunned at first, but he just took a breath and starting laughing!. Got up and continued helping us. At that point there was only one thing I could say to Sid (after making sure he was ok of course). And that was 'Sid, you are a f**king animal.

And the last thing Sid said to me was not 'man I am tired, I am going home' Nor was it complaining that more people didn't help clean up weights. He looks me with a very serious look and wanted to remind me to get healthy. I have been dealing with some health issues, and rather worrying about how he was feeling and wanting to get home, he wanted to make sure the last people he saw were ok before going home

So in closing I want to say thank you to everyone at the TCO, and Ode to Sid Reid. Someone whom year in and year out is a privilege to compete with, and to see at the events we run.I want to thank you for all your efforts to help make the running of these events not such a chore.

MAD

FYI: No early gear check tonight for Twin Cities Open

Fri, 12 Aug 2011 23:07:00 GMT

We regret to report that early gear check will not happen tonight. Due to logistical issues with hauling event gear to the location, the event staff will not make it there in time to do early gear check. We are very sorry for any inconvenience. We look forward to seeing you all tomorrow at the Twin Cities Open!

FYI for TCO Venue location

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 18:32:00 GMT

I wanted to give everyone a heads up when you come to the Twin Cities Open this coming weekend. This is a new venue that we have never had an event at. I found out that GPS services like Google Maps does not take you to the venue directly. Please go to the following link to make sure you find the venue.

Parking Map

Directions Map

Directions

From 94 East
Take exit 231B for Lyndale Ave
Left on Dunwoody Blvd
Continue onto Hennepin Ave
Turn Left onto 11th St North
Turn Left onto Hawthorne Ave
Continue onto Linden Ave W
Venue is 2 blocks past 12th St on Linden Ave
Continue and turn right on 15th St North for additional parking.

From 94 West
Take exit 231B for Lyndale/Hennepin Ave
Keep right at fork
Turn Right onto Lyndale Ave S
Stay to the Right, Follow Lyndale Ave Downtown
Turn Left onto 16th St N
Turn Right onto Linden Ave W
Turn Left onto 15th St N, parking on 15th St
Additional lot available on Linden Ave W. You must go around the block to get to it. Right on Chestnut, Right on 12th St N, Right on Linden Ave W to the parking lot.

See map for street parking options if lot is full.