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July 4, 2007
On July 26th - 27th, 2008 the UPA will be hosting the UPA Power
Weekend at the Grand River Center in Dubuque, Iowa. This weekend
will consist of an amateur Bench Press Contest, a PRO Bench Press
Contest, a PRO Full Power Meet, and the UPA's 1st Amateur
Strongman contest. There will be cash awards for both the PRO
Bench Meet and the PRO Full Power Meet. This is going to be a don't
miss event which is why we are starting advertising and promotions a
year ahead of time. For more information you can download an entry
form for either event on the events page on this site. If you have any
questions please feel free to contact Kenny Patterson or Bill Carpenter
regarding this event.
Weekend at the Grand River Center in Dubuque, Iowa. This weekend
will consist of an amateur Bench Press Contest, a PRO Bench Press
Contest, a PRO Full Power Meet, and the UPA's 1st Amateur
Strongman contest. There will be cash awards for both the PRO
Bench Meet and the PRO Full Power Meet. This is going to be a don't
miss event which is why we are starting advertising and promotions a
year ahead of time. For more information you can download an entry
form for either event on the events page on this site. If you have any
questions please feel free to contact Kenny Patterson or Bill Carpenter
regarding this event.
June 17, 2007
The UPA is officially here with the first meet completed. On Saturday 6/16/07 some of the
strongest lifters in California rolled into Diablo Barbell to compete in the inaugural UPA
event. Although total entries were only about 30 the depth of the competition was
impressive.
First I'd like to thank everyone who helped out:
Judges
Dave Van Brocklin
Charlie Telesco
Steve Dennison
Kenny Patterson
Coaches
Mario Montalvo
Spotting/Loading
Steve Flaming
Dan Helfyre
Achim Albrecht
George Beckham
Tony Axelson
Dan Varela
Andy Buschbom
Chris Carter
Score Table -
Hillary Harper
Cap Harper
Suzette O'Neill
Chris Jackson
Concessions
Linda Barnes
Marika Rice
Tim Bartlett
As promised the judging was going to be strict but fair. USPF State Chair Steve Dennison
came down to help officiate. If you plan on competing in the UPA then you need to plan on
getting your squats down. No one bombed because of depth in the squat but there where
some tough calls. Here are a few that I thought were good but were turned down.
http://www.diablobarbell.com/videos/ContestVideos/UPA%20Diablo%206-16-07/Combo3%
20squat.MPG
http://www.diablobarbell.com/videos/ContestVideos/UPA%20Diablo%206-16-07/Hayward3
%20squat.MPG
With that said I'd rather have this be the standard in the UPA instead of 2 inch high squats. I
know that Kenny agrees.
In the lightweights Bianca Stone had a great day of 870@132 with some nice prs finishing
only 20lbs or so shy of elite. Bianca is moving to Ohio to train at Westside so look for big
things from her in the future. Jordan Richie has made tremendous progress since his first
meet but it was not his day missing 584 3 times in the squat. Steve "Hayward" Bartlett had
a great 1609 total at 198 in his second meet. Training partners Derick Stockton and Brad
King continued their rivalry with Derick coming out on top this time with 1703 to Brad's
1653. Both guys had off days and are coming up on their first Elite's.
In the 242's Dalen Randa inexplicably bombed in the squat with a weight he can easily
handle leaving the door wide open for Ken Kim. Ken is consistently climbing the ladder
with PRs every meet. 733-462-639 = 1834 for first place. Jeff "Opie" Irion lifted with a
hamstring injury but still managed 1581. Jeff is 19 years old and has a tremendous future
ahead of him. In third place was Brad King protege Henry Gomez. Henry put together a day
of 1449 in his first meet.
In the 275s John Saldivar wasted a nice PR squat of 666 by bombing in the bench with
628. John is a guy who needs to translate his raw strength into shirted benching. He's
made 600 raw on a 2 board but only 633 in the shirt as his contest best. Look for John to
come back later this year and get his elite. Andy Zavala had an off day with 881-672-644 for
2199, good enough for first. Andy has been fighting a glute injury forever which is killing his
squat and deadlift. If it wasnt for his tender backside he could go far. Look for Andy to
remedy his problems at Louie's meet in August. Andreas Gallagher put up 1653 in his first
meet for second place. Team Super Training member Joel Paredes came in 3rd with
1614. Joel is coming up fast and is only 19 years old.
The 308's were loaded with talent but bombouts from Ethan McLaughin (one of Chad Aichs
partners), Diablo stand out Jesse Burdick and newcomer Shane Mesias left it a two man
show between Mark "Jackass" Bell and Scott Cartwright. 2303 was Marks total and he'd
have to settle for 2nd place on this day. Mark has more in the tank in the squat and bench.
Maybe a little more technique would help? Cartwright was a man possesed destroying
1069 in the squat, benching 644 and pulling 722 for an all time california total record of
2436. Scott tore his triceps about 6 months ago and was told he'd never bench again. HA!
Thad Coleman bombed in the squat but took 1003 deep and just couldnt finish. Thad is a
monster and really doesnt know how strong he is yet. He's also going to Cincinati in
August, look for Thad to redeem himself with a huge day.
In the bench only there were some huge weights lifted. Diablo's Alexandra Wawrzynski had
a great 3 for 3 day finishing with 248@132. This is Alex's 3rd meet. If she stays focused
300@132 will be her's by the end of the year. James "Priest" Burdette shocked the crowd
by destroying 699@198 on a second attempt. The lift was clean and solid. An all time world
record of 744 eluded him on this day, but probably not for long. Jared Bachmeier made a
strong 705 on a third attempt @ 242. 63 year old Jim Evans smashed 479 on his third
attempt. Jim will go over 500 his next meet. Big Chad Aichs came down to support our
meet by helping out, coaching and then benching 804 with a close miss at 854. Chad is
one of the strongest ever and one of the good guys in the sport. He has his sites set on the
all time total record in Cincinati this August. Gene Mirra competed for the first time taking
second place to Chad with a nice 424 and close miss at 467.
strongest lifters in California rolled into Diablo Barbell to compete in the inaugural UPA
event. Although total entries were only about 30 the depth of the competition was
impressive.
First I'd like to thank everyone who helped out:
Judges
Dave Van Brocklin
Charlie Telesco
Steve Dennison
Kenny Patterson
Coaches
Mario Montalvo
Spotting/Loading
Steve Flaming
Dan Helfyre
Achim Albrecht
George Beckham
Tony Axelson
Dan Varela
Andy Buschbom
Chris Carter
Score Table -
Hillary Harper
Cap Harper
Suzette O'Neill
Chris Jackson
Concessions
Linda Barnes
Marika Rice
Tim Bartlett
As promised the judging was going to be strict but fair. USPF State Chair Steve Dennison
came down to help officiate. If you plan on competing in the UPA then you need to plan on
getting your squats down. No one bombed because of depth in the squat but there where
some tough calls. Here are a few that I thought were good but were turned down.
http://www.diablobarbell.com/videos/ContestVideos/UPA%20Diablo%206-16-07/Combo3%
20squat.MPG
http://www.diablobarbell.com/videos/ContestVideos/UPA%20Diablo%206-16-07/Hayward3
%20squat.MPG
With that said I'd rather have this be the standard in the UPA instead of 2 inch high squats. I
know that Kenny agrees.
In the lightweights Bianca Stone had a great day of 870@132 with some nice prs finishing
only 20lbs or so shy of elite. Bianca is moving to Ohio to train at Westside so look for big
things from her in the future. Jordan Richie has made tremendous progress since his first
meet but it was not his day missing 584 3 times in the squat. Steve "Hayward" Bartlett had
a great 1609 total at 198 in his second meet. Training partners Derick Stockton and Brad
King continued their rivalry with Derick coming out on top this time with 1703 to Brad's
1653. Both guys had off days and are coming up on their first Elite's.
In the 242's Dalen Randa inexplicably bombed in the squat with a weight he can easily
handle leaving the door wide open for Ken Kim. Ken is consistently climbing the ladder
with PRs every meet. 733-462-639 = 1834 for first place. Jeff "Opie" Irion lifted with a
hamstring injury but still managed 1581. Jeff is 19 years old and has a tremendous future
ahead of him. In third place was Brad King protege Henry Gomez. Henry put together a day
of 1449 in his first meet.
In the 275s John Saldivar wasted a nice PR squat of 666 by bombing in the bench with
628. John is a guy who needs to translate his raw strength into shirted benching. He's
made 600 raw on a 2 board but only 633 in the shirt as his contest best. Look for John to
come back later this year and get his elite. Andy Zavala had an off day with 881-672-644 for
2199, good enough for first. Andy has been fighting a glute injury forever which is killing his
squat and deadlift. If it wasnt for his tender backside he could go far. Look for Andy to
remedy his problems at Louie's meet in August. Andreas Gallagher put up 1653 in his first
meet for second place. Team Super Training member Joel Paredes came in 3rd with
1614. Joel is coming up fast and is only 19 years old.
The 308's were loaded with talent but bombouts from Ethan McLaughin (one of Chad Aichs
partners), Diablo stand out Jesse Burdick and newcomer Shane Mesias left it a two man
show between Mark "Jackass" Bell and Scott Cartwright. 2303 was Marks total and he'd
have to settle for 2nd place on this day. Mark has more in the tank in the squat and bench.
Maybe a little more technique would help? Cartwright was a man possesed destroying
1069 in the squat, benching 644 and pulling 722 for an all time california total record of
2436. Scott tore his triceps about 6 months ago and was told he'd never bench again. HA!
Thad Coleman bombed in the squat but took 1003 deep and just couldnt finish. Thad is a
monster and really doesnt know how strong he is yet. He's also going to Cincinati in
August, look for Thad to redeem himself with a huge day.
In the bench only there were some huge weights lifted. Diablo's Alexandra Wawrzynski had
a great 3 for 3 day finishing with 248@132. This is Alex's 3rd meet. If she stays focused
300@132 will be her's by the end of the year. James "Priest" Burdette shocked the crowd
by destroying 699@198 on a second attempt. The lift was clean and solid. An all time world
record of 744 eluded him on this day, but probably not for long. Jared Bachmeier made a
strong 705 on a third attempt @ 242. 63 year old Jim Evans smashed 479 on his third
attempt. Jim will go over 500 his next meet. Big Chad Aichs came down to support our
meet by helping out, coaching and then benching 804 with a close miss at 854. Chad is
one of the strongest ever and one of the good guys in the sport. He has his sites set on the
all time total record in Cincinati this August. Gene Mirra competed for the first time taking
second place to Chad with a nice 424 and close miss at 467.
Below is the write up from the first UPA meet held in Concord, California.
July 31, 2007
I am pleased to announce that Bret Rapp of Clayton, NC has accepted
the position of State Chairman for the state of North Carolina. Brett
brings a lot of enthusiasm to the organization and sees big things for
the state of NC. We look forward to working with Brett and wish him
the best.
the position of State Chairman for the state of North Carolina. Brett
brings a lot of enthusiasm to the organization and sees big things for
the state of NC. We look forward to working with Brett and wish him
the best.
August 13, 2007
I am pleased to announce that Lloyd Hemenway has accepted the
position of State Chairman for the state of Minnesota. Lloyd brings
with him years of experience in the sport and is dedicated to growth of
the UPA.
position of State Chairman for the state of Minnesota. Lloyd brings
with him years of experience in the sport and is dedicated to growth of
the UPA.