 The USAPL
Louisiana State Powerlifting Meet was held
January 16, 1999. I ended up taking third place
with the following: SQ - 625, BP - 455, DL - 605,
TL - 1685. My total for this meet was 75 pounds
higher than my previous meet. My 625 squat was
easier than my opener of 575. I believe I had at
least another 40 pounds. My third attempt in the
bench was 475, but it was feeling real heavy. I
had actually punched up 475 in the gym and just
missed 500, but that is the difference between
the gym and a competition. In my third deadlift
attempt I pulled 625, but was called for
hitching. |
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The Biggest
Bench on the River II was held in New Roads, LA
on April 16, 1999. I ended up taking 2nd place in
the 275 LBS weight class. I opened the day with a
relatively easy 465 LBS bench press. My second
attempt was 500 LBS which flew off of my chest. I
attempted 515 LBS on my final lift...it stalled
at the top. I can speculate that 510 LBS would
have gone, but since I did not try this, I cannot
know for sure.
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The Fall Classic Powerlifting Meet was held in St. Amant, LA on October 23, 1999. I ended up taking 1st place in the 275 LBS weight class because I was the only person entered in this weight class. In addition to my 1st place win, I was awarded with the Men's Overall Best Lifter Award. I opened the day with a relatively easy 625 LBS squat. I was red lighted on my second attempt because of something to do with unlocking my knees. In any event, the 660 LB was pretty easy. I then hit my third attempt at 680 LB flawlessly. In the bench press I opened with an easy 455 LB. I then went to 500 LB for my second attempt and forgot that I was not going to be given the press command (it is up to the lifter to pause the weight). Even though I let the weight rest on my chest for nearly 4 seconds, I almost got it. I decided that I would stay at 500 LB for my 3rd attempt and easily blasted it off my chest. I opened with 600 LB in the deadlift and moved to 630 LB, both of which were pretty easy. My final attempt was at 650 LB and was a successful lift. I ended the day with a total of 1830 LB (145 LB above my State Meet total).
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The 2000 USAPL Louisiana Powerlifting Championships were held in St. Amant, LA on January 15, 2000. To preface the summary of my performance in this meet, let me just say that I was humbled and that one should never count his/her chickens before they hatch because I layed a mighty big egg. I opened my squat with 700 LB. I figured that this would be an easy weight, after which I could make some big jumps. Twelve days out from the meet I hit an easy 725 LB. However, I was not able to crush the 700 LB as I hoped, so I ended up taking it for a second attempt. To make a long story short, it took me until my third attempt to get the 700 LB. I felt as if I had no explosion out of the hole. After nearly bombing out of the meet, I figured 500 LB would be a good place to start my bench. Again, such was not the case. I was able to get the 500 LB on my second attempt, but missed 505 on my third attempt. It is funny how things work out. On the Sunday before the meet I crushed 525 LB. In fact 525 LB was so easy that I debated on whether I should take 535 LB or 540 LB as my final attempt prior to the meet. I suppose that is neither here nor there because I lacked the explosion off the chest to get the job done. I opened my deadlift with an easy 630 LB, but was called for hitching on my second attempt with 675 LB. I half-heartedly tried 675 LB on my third attempt and failed. Subsequently, I ended the day going 3 for 9 for a total of 1830 LB. Live and learn. I will be back with a vengeance.
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| The Biggest Bench on the River III was held in New Roads, LA
on May 6, 2000. I ended up taking 1st place in the 308 LBS weight class and also took home the Outstanding Lifter Award for the Men's Open Trophy Division. Just to clarify things, the meet director, Reed Bueche, was giving away cash prizes and there was a Men's Open Cash Division, in which I was not entered, that was separate from the trophy division. I opened the day with a very easy 525 LBS bench press. I missed my second attempt at 575 LBS because my left elbow flared out and away from my body. Instead of jumping to 600 LBS, I decided that I would again try 575 LBS for my third and final attempt. This time the weight sped away from my chest and I locked it out; 3 white lights! This was my first meet using a denim bench shirt which made all of the difference in the world. I can hardly wait to see what I can do with this shirt once I get a little more comfortable using it. I was fortunate to meet some of the very best bench pressers from all over the nation. Like last year, this meet was very well organized and a lot of fun. |
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The Louisiana State Troopers' Association Grant-A-Wish Bench Meet was held on June 17, 2000 in New Orleans (Algiers), LA. I did not feel that my performance was what it could have been for this meet. This may have been due to a number of factors, each just being another excuse. The meet boasted 100+ lifters which made for quite a long day. My opening attempt of 535 was almost too easy off the chest and I ended up misgrooving it as I neared lockout. Subsequently, I did not make the lift. Instead of hanging around and trying it again, I jumped to 550, which I was able to lockout. For my third attempt I jumped to 600, but it was just a bit too heavy, making it up only about half way. For the day, I ended up taking 1st place in the Men's Open SHW Division. Having benched 550 at a bodyweight of 284.7, I barely won the Best Heavyweight Lifter and Best Overall Lifter. My 550 bench was the biggest bench of the day and for that I received the corresponding trophy. The meet was fun, but with so many people packed into the gym, things got a bit warm...especially when I had my bench shirt on. All in all, I was displeased with my performance. However, I know what needs work and will do my best to rectify the situation.
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The Push and Pull on the River I was held on October 7, 2000 in New Roads, LA. For this meet, I could have used my Inzer double denim bench shirt. However, since I had torn the sleeve in training three weeks out from the meet, I had to resort to my Inzer EHPHD single ply poly bench shirt. I opened the day with a very easy 500 LB. For my second bench attempt I jumped to 535 LB. Because my bench shirt threw me out of my natural bench groove, I ended up missing my second and third attempts right at lockout. I found that the shirt was causing the weight to drift back over my face, causing me to try and do a tricep extension with 535 LB.
The deadlift went a bit better. I opened with an easy 650 LB. This matched my best competition deadlift. I then jumped to 700 LB for my second attempt. I ended up missing this attempt because I let the weight drift away from me. I came back for a third attempt with 700 LB and pulled it strongly. For the lift I received 3 white lights...a good lift! I ended up taking 2nd place with a 1200 LB total. I weighed in for this meet at 288.5 LB.
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The 2000 USAPL Fall Classic was held on October 28, 2000 in St. Amant, LA. Well, I had a replay of this past January's meet. I ended up going 3 for 9, just picking up my openers. I started with a 700 LB squat that was not really hard, just more difficult that I would have expected it to be. I missed my second attempt at 725 LB and passed on a third attempt. I grabbed another easy 500 LB opener in the bench. I hit 525 LB relatively easy on my second attempt, but my foot moved slightly and was red lighted. I tried 525 LB on my third attempt, but mis-grooved it. In the deadlift I crushed 660 LB with no problem. I jumped to 705 LB, but could not hold onto the weight. The weight itself felt very light, but without the grip, I could complete the lift. So...I got all of my openers, set a new total PR by 30 LB, and took 1st in the SHW. However, I was disappointed with both my squat and deadlift. I weighed in for this meet at 289.5. LB.
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The 2001 USAPL Louisiana State meet was held on January 20, 2001 in St. Amant, LA. I opened the day with 700 LB in the squat. This weight is truly evil. I have been contemplating my squat stance since the last meet and concluded that even though I train with a wide stance, I am much more powerful with a more narrow stance. With that in mind, I missed this first attempt badly. I was told that it appeared as if I was searching for a box on which to sit. Obviously it was not there. I came back and got the weight on my second attempt. I then jumped to 735 LB and got that too. This was a new personal record in the squat for me by 35 LB. This attempt was much easier than either of my previous attempts. I found that I need to drop with the weight quickly. The 735 LB attempt was so easy that I think I may have had 750 LB in me. I opened with 500 LB in the bench, like I have for the past few meets and got it relatively easily. I missed 525 LB on the remaing two attempts. During each attempt in the bench press I used a different grip, trying to figure out which was best when using a single-ply poly bench shirt. I was told that I needed a new shirt. I have used the same shirt for 7 meets now. The general concensus was that a shirt of this type is good for about three meets. I also found that I got much more explosion off my chest using a more narrow (pinkies on the outside rings) grip. I opened with 675 LB in the deadlift. I then jumped to 710 LB for my remaining two attempts. The best I could do with the 710 LB is get it to just above my knees. My total for the day was 1910 LB, which is a personal record by 50 LB. I took second place in the 319 LB weight class. I weighed in for this meet at 288.5 LB.
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The 2001 Biggest Bench on the River IV was held on May 5, 2001 in New Roads, LA. As always, Reed Bueche put on a great meet. There were so many of the best bench pressers in attendance. I opened the day with 600 LB, but ended mis-grooving it. The weight felt light enough (if 600 LB can ever be considered as feeling light), so I jumped to 620 LB. I missed this weight twice right at lockout. It was so close. I suspect it is time to start working my triceps even harder than I have been. If I would have been able to go to 619 LB I would bet that I would have gotten it. It was that close. For this meet I weighed in at 291 LB.
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The 1st Capitol City's Biggest Bench Contest was held on August 18, 2001. The meet was held in Baton Rouge, LA. The meet was relatively small and had a format to which I was not accustomed. I opened the day with 550 LB. Subsequent lifts included 600 LB and a final lift of 620 LB. The meet was interesting and showed potential. We'll see what happens if it is around next year. There were no trophies presented. Instead, supplements, t-shirts, gift certificates to Hooters, and a weekend stay in New Orleans were the prizes with which I came home. For this meet I weighed in at 297 LB.
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The 2001 USAPL Fall Classic was held on October 27 at the Lamar Dixon Expo Center. The expo center was a very nice facility for the event. As always, the meet was very well run thanks to meet director, Paul Fletcher, and his supporting staff of volunteers. I opened the squat 50 LB lighter than my past few meets in an effort to alleviate some of the stress associated with missing an opener and having to fight my way back uphill. My opener of 650 LB was child's play. For my second attempt I jumped 100 LB. I missed my second attempt because I got a little forward. To play it conservatively I stayed at 750 LB for my third attempt and picked it up easily. I do not have any idea what happened to my bench, but I ended the day with my 500 LB opener. The real suprise came for me when it was time to deadlift. I opened with an easy 650 LB. I then pulled an easy 705 LB. For my final attempt of the day I tried 750 LB in an effort to hit a 2000 LB total. I missed my third attempt, but did get the weight as high as my knees. I was surprised the weight even left the floor. I ended the day with a 1955 LB total, 1st place in the SHW division, and took home best lifter honors in the men's open division. For this meet I weighed in at 295.8 LB. All in all I wish there was a way to thank everyone who helped me during the preparation for this meet and/or during the meet. The only way I know how is to just say thanks and hope that everyone I am thanking knows who they are.
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| The 2003 USAPL Louisiana State Meet was held on January 11 & 12 at Bayou Fitness in Baton Rouge, LA. As always, the meet was very well run thanks to meet director, Paul Fletcher, and his supporting staff of volunteers. I opened the squat with 650 LB, but missed the attempt due to a lack of balance. Instead of staying at this weight I jumped to 700 LB and made the lift. I attempted 755 LB on the final attempt but was unable to come up with the weight. I was a bit disappointed in my performance. Overall the squats were not comfortable. I opened the bench with 500 LB, and picked up both second and third attempts at 530 LB and 560 LB, respectively. The third attempt broke my state record in the bench by 60 LB. I suspect that there was even more in me. We will see at the next meet. Like the squats, the deadlift was a disappointing lift. I barely got my opener with 650 LB and missed my second and third attempts, both were at 710 LB. During my second deadlift attempt I got the 710 LB up with hitching. I ended the taking 1st in the SHW division because there was no one else lifting in the class. I also took 1st in the bench only division. In addition to the 1st in the bench only, I took home the best bencher honors. For this meet I weighed in at 288.6 LB. Thanks to everyone who helped me in this first meet back after more than a year of layoff from competition. |
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| The 2003 Biggest Bench on the River was held April 26 in New Roads, Louisiana. As always, the meet was very well run thanks to meet director, Reed Beuche, and his supporting staff of volunteers. I opened the day with a 575 LB attempt, which I missed because I was not able to get the weight to touch my chest. For a second attempt I selected 600 LB and was successful. A third attempt at 610 LB was also successful. I took a fourth attempt at 635 LB and made that lift as well. For this meet I weighed in at 293 LB. Special thanks goes to Christy Newman and Jon Magendie for their help during the meet. |
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| The 2003 Push & Pull on the River was held September 27 in New Roads, Louisiana. As always, the meet was very well run thanks to meet director, Reed Beuche, and his supporting staff of volunteers. I opened and finshed the day with a 625 LB attempt, which I missed three times. No excuses here. I was just flat. I was allowed to pull deadlifts and was successful at 650, 710, and 740. I took a fourth attempt and made the lift at 765. For this meet I weighed in at 297 LB. Special thanks goes to Christy Newman, Tom Babcock, and Billy Callihan for their help during the meet. |
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| The 2003 USAPL Fall Classic was held October 18 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. As always, the meet was very well run thanks to meet director, Paul Fletcher, and his supporting staff of volunteers. I opened with 700 in the squat and failed to make depth. For this reason I opted to stay at this weight and pick it up on a second attempt. I then jumped to 755 for a third and successful attempt. In the bench press I made all three attempts; 545, 575, and 600 (thanks for the use of the bench shirt, Paul). My opening deadlift of 700 LB put me over 2000 LB in the total. My second deadlift of 745 LB put me at 2100 LB in the total. I missed my third deadlift at 770 LB, as the weight popped out of my hands as I was nearing lockout. For this meet I weighed in at 299 LB. Special thanks goes to Christy Newman (the hardest working woman in show business - she wrapped knees, pulled up straps, pulled on shirts, adjusted shirts for optimal performance, and provided a great deal of support), Tom Babcock, and indirectly, Paul Fletcher for their help during the meet. Paul, you are an inspiration to us all. Thanks for being a friend. |
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The 2004 USAPL Louisiana State Meet was held January 17th in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Like all of Paul Fletcher's meets, this one was very well run, strictly judged, and a lot of fun.
Since I was the only competitor in the SHW I was able to shoot for some numbers I might not have if I were playing things a bit more conservatively. I was able to get my opening squat (700 LB) passed. However, on my second attempt (765 LB) I ended up pushing my hips too far backwards. This cause my upper body to lean past optimum. I stayed at this weight and, with correction to my technique, picked it up. That was a 10 LB PR, but I wanted a shot at 810 LB. Overall, the weight felt heavy on my back and I need to do more working walking the weight out and setting up.
My last warmup in the bench was 315 LB. The flight before mine was small and I ended up having to rush things. I smoked my opener of 550 LB, but missed 605 LB on my second and third attempts. The weight came off my chest great, but I had a problem with lockout. I guess I know what I need to work. The 605 LB would have been a 5 LB PR in a single-ply poly shirt. I suspect that I was good for 600 LB.
Since the Marathon DL suit is not longer legal in USAPL, I used my new Metal suit for the first time at this meet. I opened with an easy 700 LB, but, like the bench, I missed my second and third attempts at 750 LB. The 750 LB would have been a 5 LB PR in a 3-lift meet. The problem was grip, not pulling strength. As I neared lockout, the weight started falling from my hands. I will have to think about this a bit more and correct things. After all, it was just a few months ago that I just missed 770 LB because of grip.
Total -> 2015 LB, should have been 2110 LB...but 2200 LB would have been even better.
Weighed in at 299.5 LB...still below 3 bills.
Special thanks goes out to the following people:
Christy Newman
Arval Bridges
Jeff Douglas
Robert Wood
Byron Nichols
Paul Fletcher
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The 2004 USAPL Men's Nationals were held July 9-11th in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The magnitude of this meet was like no other I have experienced to date. It is amazing what Paul Flether and his crew of volunteers can put together.
I opened my squat at 733 LB (kilo conversion) and was red lighted for depth. For my second attempt I was able to pull off a 749 LB. I felt a litle shakey due to the fact that the bar had significant whip when I tried to drop the bottom out in an effort to ensure proper depth. Unlike my first attempt, I managed to get this squat passed. My third attempt was successful at 777 LB. It took me three attempt to get settled. In my mind my third attempt felt the lightest. This was a PR squat by 12 LB.
My bench went very smoothly. I opened with 562 LB, hit a second attempt at 601 LB, and then ended the day with a relatively easy 617 LB. This last attempt was a 17 LB PR with a 1-ply poly shirt.
I opened my deadlift at 699 LB and made the lift. However, my second and third attempts were not completed to success. My second attempt was at 738 LB. I believe that I lined up off-center for this attempt, as the bar felt extraordinarily heavy on one side. Rather than stay at this weight for a final attempt, we decided to make a run at 4th place. My third attempt was at 749 LB. I nearly had the weight locked out, but could not maintain my grip.
Total -> 2094 LB for 6th place
Weighed in at ~303 LB
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The 2004 Push and Pull on the River was held October 9th in New Roads Rouge, Louisiana. The location of the meet had to be altered due to rain. This resulted in wet, sleepy day for me.
I opened my bench with an easy 575 LB. I missed my second attempt at 625 LB. For this reason I decided to stay at this weight for my third attempt. After a minor adjustment to my shirt I locked out the 625 LB. However, I missed the lift because of uneven extension. I was so sure that I was going to get $300 for this lift. Such was not the case. For this meet I used a 1-ply poly Titan Fury.
My deadlift was a bit shakey due to grip related problems. I ended up pulling 705 LB on a second attempt and then missing 725 LB on my third attempt. I did not miss the lift because I was unable to lockout the weight. Instead my missed lift was due to the fact that, after having received the down command, the weight shifted in my hands prior to me putting the weight down. In any event, the 705 LB lift was good enough for $300.
For this meet I trained for 1 week. It was a last minute decision, as I was still recovering from my July meet and had just started having a few good workouts.
Special Thanks to the Following People:
Dave Harris
Jon Magendie
Paul Fletcher
Lacy Picou
Jesse Hodges
Jesse Kellum
Weighed in somewhere around 300 LB
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The 2005 Biggest Bench on the River was held May 7th in New Roads, Louisiana. For this meet I entered the Men's Open Cash Class. I opened my bench with an easy 260 kg (573 lb), which was followed by an easy second attempt at 280 kg (617 lb). I missed my third attempt at 290 kg (639 lb) not because I could not lock out the weight, but instead because of a slight regression. I was allowed a 4th attempt that did not count toward the meet. For the forth attempt I stayed at 290 kg (639 lb). This time there was no question, as I smoked the weight. My 617 lb attempt was good enough for 4th place in the cash class, which netted me $200. For this meet I used a 1-ply poly Titan Fury and weighed in at 297 lb.
Special Thanks to the Following People:
Dave Harris
Jon Magendie
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The 2005 Tiger Open was held Aug 20th in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. I opened the squat at 700 lb, followed by 765 LB. For my third attempt squat I smoked 815 LB, but was called for depth.
In the bench I opened with 600 LB, and then missed my second attempt of 625 LB. I came back on my third attempt and got the 625 LB that I had previously missed.
In the deadlift I had a problem with my grip and missed all three attempts at 700 LB. This sucked!
For this meet I weighed in at 297 LB.
Special Thanks to the Following People:
Dave Harris
Steve McLawchlin
Paul Fletcher
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The 2005 USAPL University Cup was held Nov 12th in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. I opened the squat at 715 LB, but got called for depth. I then jumped to 815 LB and missed it twice because I got up on toes and could not keep my balance. I don't know if it was because of an uneven platform (plywood over parking lot), or if I was just hitting my groove incorrectly. I do know that I was told by a side judge that even if I would have come up with my second attempt that I would not have made depth. I did hit depth on my third attempt, or so I was told. It is too bad I could not keep proper balance.
Even though I bombed in the squat, I was able to complete the meet for no total. Here's what happened next:
Bench - I crushed my 600 LB opener, but got called for not waiting for the start command. I then jumped to and hit an easy 630 LB on my second attempt and then switched to my F6 for my third attempt. This attempt was made at 675 LB, but I could not get the weight to touch. I am not certain that 700 LB would touch wearing this shirt. Maybe I will have to do some work with it.
Deadlift - I opened at 650 LB and got it, but felt slow off the ground. I then hit 700 LB on my second attempt. I ended passing on my third attempt because I was pretty much out of gas. Overall the deadlift just didn't feel right. Perhaps my lower back was fatigued after the squat attempts where I got too far forward.
I ended up waking at 3:00 AM the morning of the meet and having to deal with the dogs. They pissed me of so badly that I was not able to go back to sleep. I am sure that this did not help my performance. Oh well, back to the ol' drawing board.
Special Thanks to the Following People:
Dave Harris
Tom Babcock
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