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2001 USAPL COLLEGIATE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

AS REPORTED BY: JIM FORD

The 2001 Collegiate National Powerlifting Championships were held March 10-11, 2001 in beautiful Alexandria, Louisiana. This year hosted by the Collegiate Powerlifting "powerhouse", Louisiana Tech University, and USAPL LA. State Chairman & meet director Duane Urbina, of the hugely successful program at Alexandria Senior High School (ASH). Coach Urbina, who is no newcomer to putting on a big and successful meet, along with the TECH'sters, rolled out the red carpet to all collegiate powerlifting programs from across the nation. An example of past meets here: in '97 Urbina brought the ADFPA High School Nationals here to Alexandria and the town turned out to welcome to the meet over 270 competitors. No less than the Ricky Crain announced "it was one of the finest meets he had ever seen!" This year, there were well over 40 colleges and universities that were represented at the competition. The pre-meet hype started early, as college rivalries were re-ignited; and showed that pride for school and tradition were obviously not just for the mainstream sports usually associated with Collegiate competition. This weekend would be especially exciting as Tech was having a "homecoming" of alumnus to honor the retirement of local hero, and powerlifting coaching legend, Dr.Billy Jack Talton. Lifters from over the past 20 years who were part of the Tech powerlifting dynasty and tradition were to be on hand for a Saturday night Banquet in his honor. Not to mention, they were on hand to cheer LTU on to another collegiate title. So, anticipation was high for an action packed weekend!

Alexandria is a beautiful old city in the center of Louisiana on the Red River with alot of regional flair, down home hospitality, and food to die for! The venue and meet site was the comfortable Holiday Inn Convention Center-Downtown, Alexandria, LA. The hotel was roomy; with friendly staff that offered a fine restaurant, for hungry lifters and spectators to rest and refuel while watching the finest collegiate strength athletes do their thing. There was a 1700 square ft. area in the hall and capable seating for 1500 to watch a 2-platform competition. Warm-up areas were complete and well stocked with two warm-up areas adjacent to the raised lifting platform. There was good audio equipment so the crowd was well informed of the progression of the meet; Ricky Crain had his crew there video taping; but there were no less than a half dozen videos recorders catching the action at all times. I suspect many of the colleges, and proud family members, wanted to record some historical events. The schedule was to be like this: Friday evening, equipment check for Saturday's lifters; followed by a banquet put on by Coach Urbina and the ASH team and family members; and then to the Collegiate Business Meeting. Saturday morning was to be the Men & Women up 148's; Saturday afternoon 165-heavyweight Women and then the 165 men. Sunday Morning was the 181-198 men; Sunday afternoon was the 220-heavyweight men. Under new IPF guidelines, some of the meet rules have changed; some to mirror international meet competition; and in some cases, easing the strict rules on form during the lifts themselves. At the Rules & Technical Meetings, these were discussed with coaches and officials. Cathy Marksteiner stepped down after being the collegiate chair for a long run; and was replaced by the very capable Jon Magendie of LSU. Cathy was first appointed to this position by the EC of the ADFPA in 1988. She served off and on for 11 years; with a small break by the team of Mike & Monique Hartle during that span. Through her hard work and dedication to this committee, the Collegiate Division in the USAPL has prospered and become one of the most dynamic in the Federation. She will be hard to replace; and we all join together to thank Cathy for her vigilance and professionalism in acting as chairperson for so long. Thanks Cathy Marksteiner for a job well done!

The Saturday morning schedule was exciting and well choreographed. After an opening prayer and greetings by local officials we were treated to a special "guest lifter" appearance by the big man with the big total, from down Louisiana way, Mr.Gary Frank.. He was fresh from a couple of meets where he set some historic totals of over the milestone 2500-lb. mark! He is presently coaching at Bishop Sullivan High School in LA. and is turning out some fine Junior level lifters. Gary consented to kick things off with a show of BP'ing power, that delighted and amazed the crowd. With the aid of big Ernie Richards to hand-off, it was like a WWF dynamic-duo of 2, 350+lb., round, baldheaded, Louisiana PL'ers to show us some mighty prone presses! Big Gary, wearing a single ply, Denim INZER shirt, got very intense before each lift. Richards told me later that he barely assisted Frank, who just "hossed" the weight out on his own, and this rings true, as Gary said he mostly trains alone. Gary told me that he was asked to attempt a 600 lb. BP, but when he got warmed up, he said, "what the heck, I'll just pop a couple big ones"! A first attempt was an easy 640 lbs.; although some told me later it was abit quick on the pause. But, showing that the first was just a warm-up; big Gary came back to finish his exhibition with a strong, flawless lift of 672 lbs.! During the meet, Gary set himself up at a small table and spent much time signing autographs and talking to anyone who wished to visit with him. This was my second chance to speak with big Gary; the first was last year at the 2000 HS Nationals in Neenah, WI. He was there with his girls/boys teams that finished high up in the standings. Gary still seemed the nicest, humblest, big man around. He missed no chance to try and brag about his kids on the HS team, and actually wanted to send a few to me for possible inclusion on the Junior and Sub-Junior National teams. I hope that all his young lifters know what a blessing it is to have a mentor of this caliber! Our Junior level team quality would be so much better with HS coaches who had the knowledge of this giant man. Although Gary himself lifts in other sanctioned federation meets, he feels strongly about his kids lifting in the USAPL/IPF drug-free environment. All who witnessed his lifting display this day had no doubt that we have just begun to see the records broken by Gary Frank.

The women were the first to lift Saturday morning and taking the 48-kg. Class, virtually unopposed was the veteran, Stephanie McMillen. Having finished high up in the '99 Junior World Championships, Steph showed she is still the dominant Collegiate woman in the lightweight classes. Cheered on by her TECH teammates and her always supportive parents, Steph came away with a 310 kg. Total in the 48 kgs. This, coupled with her fine showing at Women's Nationals, gave her another lock on Junior World team slot for 2001. Perhaps we will also see her on the USA Women's World Team or a slot on the USA team at the World Games in Akita, Japan in late summer or early fall.

The 52 kgs.'s had a full grouping of 7 lifters battling for top honors. However, this was a chance to see the other Tech'ster who is tearing up the competition in the lighter divisions; Kimberly Goff. Kimmi, who was initially known as a DL specialist, has worked hard to improve all-around. After a great showing at Women's Nationals also, she came away with a clear victory here with a 380 kg. Total, via a whopping 182.5 kg DL!! Battling for the silver and bronze were Rachelle Kallina of UT with a 290-kg total; and Sherri Campanile of LSU with a 280 total finish.

In the 56 kgs.'s we saw last years champion, Michelle Amsden of Ball St. cruise to an unchallenged victory again this year with a 392.5 kg total. Fresh off her win at Women's Nationals, Michelle pulled a 162.5 kg DL to show that her training for Women's had just begun, and was peaking here. For second and third place, it was a repeat of last year's battle between Amanda Kammier of Navy, and Kelsy Vance of UT. In the 2000 Collegiate meet only 5 pounds separated them; and here again the difference was just the same; Kammier 317.5 to Vances' 315 kg total.

The 60 kg.class saw a tight battle between Ashley Matt of Texas A&M, coached by Tony Cardella; and Nichole Sperbeck of Cedar Crest,Alaska and the "Iron Maidens" women's team, tie with a 342.5 total. The Gold went to Matt on a lighter bodyweight decision. Both are fine lifters, and well coached. The Bronze went to Amanda Pool of University of Texas with a 302.5 total.

The 67.5-kg class had the distinction of being the largest class in the women's division with 20 competitors. To many's surprise, an early clerical error had placed MIT's Carolyn Philips ahead in the nominations with a huge 1025 lb. total. Before meet time it was remedied, and the numbers adjusted to reflect a more conservative, but respectable total. The legit front runner was Kim Callier of Texas A&M; via her 850+lb total at Women's Nationals in January. At the completion of this class she was once again on top while only completing maybe 4 lifts. Yet her 362.5-kg finish was good enough to give her a comfortable lead over the 340kg finish on Carolyn Phillips of MIT. Third place went to Christina Knudson of USNA with 335 kg. total. Over-training seemed to be a problem for several women who had competed in Women's Nationals 6 weeks earlier; and attempted to stretch their peak for this competition. Perhaps this was a factor in Callier's performance; who is capable of much bigger numbers; yet is expertly coached by world class lifter Wade Hooper.

In the 75 kg class we saw the dominance of last years Jr. World Champion, Julia Loya of USNA. Before the competition the 75's were the largest class; however by meet time the exodus out of 75's by almost 8 lifters can only make one suspect that they were taking their chances against two strong lifters in the 82.5 kg class, Reske and Ford, rather than face the huge numbers that Loya is capable of. Julia had a good day, finishing with 462.5 kg total, via a 190-kg squat. The runner-up slot went to the veteran lifter from LTU, Christy Newman with 400 kg total. Third went to Christine Alongi of UL-Monroe, with a 345 kg total; and was coached by the gifted man from Arkansas, and AAU stalwart, Larry Kye.

In the 82.5's, it was a tight battle between 2 who had met at Women's Nationals 6 weeks before, Kristy Reske and Katie Ford. Today it was all Reske. She put together a fine, well coached lifting exhibition, with of note a 182.5 kg Deadlift, to finish with a 417.5-kg total. Kristy has had some injuries in the past, but it looks like she is past that now, and on her way to steady improvement. Ford took second with 397.5 kg. total; only completing 5 lifts; nowhere near her level of lifting talent. Her desire was to hit a qualifying total for Jr world team again. She locked the spot with a first attempt DL; passed her final Deadlifts,and called it a day; another casualty of to many meets. Third place went to Gretchen Kalk, a fine lifter from Ball State U., who totaled 387.5 kg.

In the 90 kg. class, Jessica Watkins, the pride of Purdue U., put on a fine show of lifting excellence. Coached by the team of Mike and Angie Overdear, Jessica cruised to an unchallenged victory with 477.5 kg with a huge 192.5-kg squat; and a not to shabby 107.5-kg BP! Taking second was LTU's Yvette Abrego with 425 kg. total and there was no third as Ashante Trutant of TECH was eliminated with no totaL

In the 90+-kg class there were only 2 lifters and top honors went to Mary Holt of LTU with 417.5 kg total. Taking the runner-up spot was Regina Wagner of SWTSU with a 332.5-kg finish.

Following the Women's lifting on Saturday night, there was a special banquet hosted by the Alumnus of Louisiana Tech for retiring Powerlifting coach and hometown hero, Dr.Billy Jack Talton. The reception and dinner was held at the nearby Pineville Community Center; and after a wonderful dinner with a large crowd, we set about documenting the career of this pioneer in Collegiate PL'ing programs. Many past alumni spoke, including Jennifer Rey and Wade Hooper, of the impact that this man had on their lives. I can say personally that having worked with him many times, he is a dedicated and giving man who has contributed much, and casts a very long shadow. Thanks, BJ. Your one of a kind. All in all, it was a fun evening, and a fitting tribute to a unique and outstanding coaching career.

Some of the lighter men's categories lifted on Saturday; with the finishing Men's divisions on Sunday. For practical purposes, I have linked all the men's competition together here.

Only three men competed in the lightweights, but they did a fine job of hoisting some iron. Winning the 52-kg division was Dammario Holloway of LA.Tech U. with a fine showing of 455 kg. and a 197.5 kg deadlift. In second was Chet Hurley of NW St. with 355 kg.; and Marc Barbier of NSU took third with 312.5 kg. total.

Peter Balke of the USMA and Britt Vallot of NSU were the only competitors in the 56kg class; with Balke winning it with a 367.5 kg total to Vallot's 362.5 kg finish.

The 60-kg class saw Trey Cunningham move up from 56 kg to dominate this class. Cunningham finished with a huge 565-kg total via some well-rounded lifting; 207.5 squat,127.5 BP, and a 230-DL. These numbers were good enough to win him top honors in the BEST LIFTER category. Two military lifters took second and third. Jared Sainato of the USMA was second with 462.5 kg and James Morris of the USNA was third with 460 kg total.

In the 67.5's it was a close race between Lorain's Todd Straub and LA Tech's Clay Grubbs. With Straub ahead at sub's by 30 kgs. Grubbs needed his big DL to put it away. When the dust had settled he only made up 25 kgs. and had to settle for 2nd this day. It was Straub for the win with 590 kg. to Grubbs 585 kg for second place. In third was Guillermo Paquian of the USMA with a 555-kg total.

The 75-kg class saw the largest number of competitors entered in one class. Brad Bobbins of Life U. went on to dominate here with a winning total of 670 kg. Jeff Hixon of Ohio St.U followed Brad in second place; with a 627.5 kg total. Third went to Clint Gallo of LSU with 607.5 total.

The 82.5's was a close battle between three excellent collegiate lifters. Andrew Caprari, aided by his brother and Jr. World Champion Tony, dunked a clean 250-kg squat. Not to be outdone, Noah Devine of OK. Baptist matched his squat with his own 250-kg. Close behind was Jason Baudoin of Delgado with 242.5-kg. The bench saw Caprari dominate with 160-kg; Devine with 155-kg; and Baudoin with 152.5-kg. The deadlift and the win went to Caprari with a pull of 260 kg; for a 670 kg total. Baudoin and Devine tied with 652.5-kg total; and the win went to Baudoin on bodyweight. There were 18 lifters in this class.

The 90-kg class saw 14 very competitive light-heavyweights competing for top honors. Jason Beck of Slip. Rock was the clear-cut winner in this division. His 777.5 kg total; via a 205 kg BP, gave him the wide lead over second place Seth Abrams of Penn St. who came in with a 685 kg finish. Third was Nate Beard of USAFA with 660 kg total.

100 kg's saw a well-rounded lifting by PJ Chovanec; coupled with some big deadlifts, win this for PJ with a huge 855-kg total. A 4th attempt Jr. World record was gotten to his knees before stopping. Next time PJ! In second was Evan Whalen of LA Tech U. with a very respectable 757.5 kg. total. Coming in third was Chris Kahanek of UT with 722.5 kg. total.

The 110-kg class saw Travis Werner of UL-Lafayette take top honors with a 732.5-kg finish. Runner-up went to Jeremy Many of UL-Monroe with 717.5 kg. The third place finish went to James Townsend of LA Tech with 715 kg Total.

In the 125kg's we saw some huge squat attempts by the winner, Henry Thomason of Grayson. He successfully completed an attempt of 387.5 kg in the squat and finished up with an 882.5 kg total. Matt Wenning of Ball St. took second with 780 kg and Emelio Saldierna of LA.Tech placed third with 755 kg total.

The last class to compete, the 125+kg class, saw 4 very big men go at it. Big Randhall Harris of North Texas St. took top honors with a huge 907.5-kg total. Good lifting Big Roh! Travis Buntin of Ball St. took runner-up honors with an 802.5-kg total. In third was Dennis Coody of LA.Tech with 755 kg total; and another Tech'ster took 4th, Jerrel Johnson with 692.5 kg total.

RESULTS-Women

*BEST LIFTERS WOMEN: K.Goff 480 pts., M.Amsden 463 pts.,J.Loya 441 pts.

RESULTS-Men

*BEST LIFTER MEN: PJ Chovanec 523 pts.,R.Harris 507 pts.,J.Beck 502 pts

Results of the Women's Team Competition (top 3)

Results of the Men's Team Competition (top 3)

Results of the combined Team Competition (top 3)

*In accordance with USAPL guidelines there was a percentage of lLifters drug tested in this competition. At publishing time, these results were not available to be included in this article. There will however be an update of those results in future issues of the USAPL newsletter.

Next year, the 2002 USAPL Collegiate National Championships will be held in Killeen Texas, on the base at Fort Hood. The competition will be hosted by meet Director Johnny Graham; and the date has yet top be set. I expect it will be just as intense; as I know some lifters are already in preparations. College rivalries are a grand thing to behold and be a part of. I hope to see all you there!

The 2001 Collegiate National Championships were a huge success, through no small effort of Duane Urbina, and many of his staff; and along with family members of lifters from ASH. They did a superb job. Thanks also, to all at Louisiana Tech University who helped to host this event: Coach Talton, Trey Cunningham,Ernie Richards,Rebbecca Roberts, and Clay Grubbs and many others. It was an event we'll always remember fondly. Thanks again for the many years of dedicated work by retiring Chairperson, Cathy Marksteiner. All the USAPL officials who traveled so far to make this event run so smoothly; that includes all EC members, coaches, technical advisors, loaders and spotters. Many thanks to the people and the city of Alexandria, Louisiana for making us all welcome to your wonderful city. Congrats to the LA TECH Powerlifting Dynasty for another well deserved victory. Lastly, to the collegiate lifters who worked so hard this last year to improve their lifting abilities and come together at this momentous event to represent themselves and their schools. All went away, being assured that competitive POWERLIFTING is alive and well on the College level. Until next year.... "Good Lifting to you All"

Jim Ford, USAPL Coaches Committee

Michelle Amsden

Stefanie McMillan

Kim Callier

Julia Loya

Katie Ford

Trey Cunningham