The 15^th annual Hudson Natural Open was a huge success. There were 5 National judges and at least 8  state judges in house. As the meet director, I really appreciate all the help that volunteered to sit in the chairs. Thank you. 4 different officials performed the drug testing. 5 lifters were tested. As always, I was concerned about having enough help to do a great job at spotting and loading all day, but the crew did an excellent job. Help came from many miles around. Many of the helpers aren’t even powerlifters, but were very competent at their job and very willing to lend a hand wherever needed. If you look at the kinds of numbers being hoisted that day, you can see why good help was priceless. We had many lifters competing that have lifted in National and World Competition, and others that I’m sure will lift in National or World competition in the future.

    This year was the 2^nd year that we have held the “Border Battle”. It is a team competition between Minnesota and Wisconsin. Since Hudson is on the border of MN and WI, it’s a very fitting name for the informal battle. Last year MN won the competition. With the help of many National class lifters, they edged out WI by 7 wilkes points. This year the award went to WI by a sizable margin. The lifters of Peshtigo will hang the trophy in their gym until the battle resumes at next year’s Hudson Natural Open. Great job Wisconsin.    

     Another welcome sight at the competition was the number of young lifters that are products of the Wisconsin High School Powerlifting program. It’s great to see that the lifters are learning that there really is powerlifting beyond high school.

Submitted by Shawn Cain