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MN USAPL NEWS
Mens Open Nationals 2003 July 19-20 Rapid City South Dakota. Meet Director Steve Howard.
Wow! What a great weekend for Power Lifting in Minnesota, and the Nation. MN was well represented this weekend at the Men’s Nationals in Rapid City, SD. It was great to see so many lifters and coaches from MN at this meet. First of all though, I would like to say thank you to Steve Howard and the show he put on for Men’s Nationals and I look forward to seeing more events from him in the future.
On to the lifting, Peter Wong had a good day getting all three squats and performing solidly in the other lifts. Peter took a solid second in the 123s behind Halloway.
Paul Wong had trouble through the day only getting his opener in each of the lifts. Needless to say Paul finished 6th just 50 Kilos shy of first place in a hotly contested division.If he had gotten what we all know he is capable of Paul would have finished near, if not at, the top.
Tony Reid placed well in a very competitive division with many legends of lifting in the competition. I had a chance to talk with Tony after the competition and though he did well he feels that he could have done better. Finishing 5th in this weight class Tony did Minnesota proud.
The 220s had three MN lifters in the competition and proved to be the most exciting division to watch during the weekend. Mitch Edelstein coming off of the flu proved that even when sick he can still compete. Though thoroughly disgusted with his lifting and claiming the desire to quit I expect to see more of Mitch and improvements in the future.
Tom had the makings of a great day going 3/3 on his squats after making the move up to the 220s this past year. The most talked about bench press at the meet came from Tom Hines, who wrapped his left wrist a little too tight. Tom on his second attempt took 479lbs on the hand off and as he got the press signal his grip failed and dropped the weight on his chest. Although this can be a devastating injury Tom was able to joke about it at the North Dakota After Meet Party, and he is doing well with no lasting injuries beyond bruising. Tom was able to come back after this accident and take 479 for a third attempt although it was not passed. He then took a token DL in order to preserve his numbers on the Squat. Tom was also seen to call for 27.5 Kilos on the Deadlift while sitting out in the crowd watching the loaders tear 350Kg off the bar.
The Powerlifting Freak of the Day was Nick Tylutki, with shirts to proclaim it. Apparently Nick’s father Pete got T-Shirts made for all of the family and friends that attended the meet to show support for him. Nick had an awesome day going 3/3 in the squats with lots left in him finishing with 340 Kilos. His benches were on as well only having trouble with 212.5 Kilos on his third. Nick took an easy 320 opener and jumped to 340, which didn’t go up right. Adding 2.5 Kilos Nick attempted his last and it was passed. During this time Nick was competing with two individuals that were a bench and a DL specialist. Although able to stem off the attacks of the bencher Nick was unable to stop the dead lifter who called for just enough weight to win the competition with a controversial last lift of the session.
Brad Madvig was on for the day taking seventh in the deepest division of the meet. The 275ers had 19 lifters and some amazing lifts. Brad ended up with PRs all around after needing to cut 15lbs in the two weeks prior to the meet and 5lbs over the weekend. Going 8/9 Brad was able to officially hit 1940 lbs.
Greg Wagner did MN proud by taking fourth only 12.5 Kilos out of first. Greg had trouble getting his Deads to go up and his final bench press. Greg had a great day and group of people cheering for him through the meet. Greg Collins had a great day as well taking what I believe were PRs all around. Greg had some trouble with balance on his first squat, but was able to come back and smoke two more to prove he had the power to compete. Taking 9th in the Supers Greg showed the improvements he has made in the recent years.
Brad Gillingham came back from recent bicep surgery to go 9/9 showing us what, as he stated during the lift, “textbook” squats and dead lifts were all about. Brad came back again from seemingly overwhelming odds to prove he still has what it takes to be one of the best. In a fitting end to the Nationals Brad took the last DL of the day at 367.5 Kilos raising his arms overhead in another personal victory and giving that single bicep a flex showing that it works.
Write up by Ken Andrs