I want to thank Tom Haggenmiller for throwing another great push/pull BBQ this past weekend. Toms event is really something special and Tom set out to make it that way from the word go. He sets this out to be a great social event for
lifters and the friends and family of lifters. He also creates a great  atmosphere for lifters that allows the new ones to get introduced to Powerlifting. One such lifter new to the sport said to me he felt quite honored to start competing with many greats like Mitch Edelstein ,Bryan Huyduma, Rick Kolbeck, Maura Shuttleworth Peter Wong among others. Many of these new lifters (forgive me as I am awful with names) lifted also showed great promise including one guy who at his first me at age 70 hitting near a 200 bench. That was fun to see without a doubt. The new crop appeared very excited and I bet we will see many of them at events like the Twin Cities Open and Hudson.

Tom also has created a great meet for veterans who come out to test their lifts. Or just to get a meet in during off season. Many of these lifters came of course wanting to lift big, but where ok if things did not pan out and where relaxed about it. Peter Wong was one such lifter who I talked to a bit before lifting started. I asked him how he thinks things will go and he just said 'Man.. I am going to bomb.. I know it' . I knew it in his face that he really didn't mean that and his lifts told the tale. He nailed a very strong 340 with little effort and said later on "yeah I am ready for TCO'... or something to that effect.

I hope so Peter.. hope to see you there.

 

 

Maura Shuttleworth had a great day but I only got to see one of her lifts, but  it was the best lift from what I heard. At 105 is she ripped 200 in the bench. Tom allowed a 4th attempt and I think it was 210. She took a shot at it, but it  did not go. It was one of those 'next meet' kind of lifts. Rick Kolbeck pulled big (something in the mid 6s) and was showing a face like he was still at Worlds. He was just all wound up and pulled all freaky like. This is another lifter we can expect hitting the TCO or Hudson in the coming months. Mitch E was also fun to watch as this guy I swear has most unusual mindset going into any event. He comes into warm-ups very ready to go but then turns into this growled grouchy space alien seemly all pissed off how his warm-ups going. I have been seeing this happen with him for about 15 years and Toms event was no different. I was the lifter before him in the pull and I can tell you he leaves his bad lifts in the warm-up for sure. He pulled a great 660 but man this guy takes his time to lock out. I could have cooked a steak and eaten it before he got done. Great lift by Mitch.

As for me.. well I don't even want to talk about my bench as I trained through this meet and my shoulders where hamburger. But in the deadlift after I managed to push my fat belly into my belt and wiped the A-1 sauce oozing from my forehead I managed to get a very comfortable 700 pull to go. I am ready for TCO I think. Then I made a cannonball dive into the beer and steak.

 

 

After the event Tom Haggenmiller has some odd events happening. One such event was the rep bodyweight contest where Maura hit 27 reps (I think)..Followed by some other lifters who will remain nameless as I don't think they fully locked out each rep... but hey.. it was all good fun.

Next event was the farmers walk. Like the moron I am I jumped into this event after having a couple beers (yes I am a cheap date) and sandals all while being encouraged by 'Mr. Hand' Tom Hines. I got about 1 and a half laps. A new lifter (again forgot names.. so sorry) jumped in and this guy weighs maybe 140 and he got farther then I did. Mr. Hand jumped in after that and I gladly returned the favor of encouragement as he bet me and the new guy with over 2 laps. Jim Cahill then stepped up to the plate who intended to make his return to Powerlifting that day but fell ill the week before. He had some strength in him and took the farmers walk over 3 laps beating all of us.

Thanks again to Tom Haggenmiller for putting on a great event. Thanks to Jim Cahill, the Welborns. Tom Hines and many others who helped out at this event for making it happen. Hope to see this event continue on for many years to
come.

MAD