2005 Motown Open Powerlifting & Bench

2005 Motown Open Powerlifting & Bench – August 13, 2005

Meet Director: Dick Van Eck
Announcer:Mike Lawrence
Referees: Dick Van Eck,Ross Arnold, Jim Schroder
Scorer's Table: Jan Van Eck, Eddie Lawrence, Dave Lawrence
Location: Unity Church of Livonia, Michigan

23 lifters competed in the first official sanctioned American Drug-Free Powerlifting Federation meet and, although the attendance was not at optimal numbers, the lifters and volunteers alike had a great time. The age gap was very impressive from youngest at 18 year old Caleb Ault to the likes of Roger Merrel and James Meadows both 85. Of the many, and I mean many meets I have lifted, volunteered and coached, this had to be the most entertaining meet I have ever witnessed. Watching these Senior Citizens compete in a young man's sport and refuse to let nature takes it's course... what inspiration. My hat's off to the Master lifters at this meet. A special thanks to Ben Creech for introducing the sport of powerlifting to the numerous masters lifters. Without Ben, most, if not all of these individuals would have never known this sport even existed.

Until this event Roger and wife Josie Merrell had not competed for some time, and the reason being was a 2 for 1 Triple By-Pass surgery. These great people have been married over 61 years and I guess they do everything together, even Triple By-Pass surgery. Both entertained with their full meet lifts but as they have done for over 61 years; together; unity; as one; they entertained the crowd with the 2-Man Deadlift or shall I say Man and Wife Deadlift. The bar is loaded, they approach the platform, Josie on the left and Roger on the right, hand in hand, they ease up to the bar, look at each other, sequence their breathes, bend down, grab the bar and lifted 100 kg to the top. Stay tuned to see if their 320 lb best will be conquered.

The open class was very small but the weights lifted were gigantic. Each of the only (3) lifters that competed in the open class totaled over 1700 lbs. Josh Decker lifted in the 198 lb class but gave up 11 lbs of strength at 189 lb body weight. He squatted 600 lbs., Benched 440 and deadlifted 672.

Lutario Lopez and Floyd Givens competed in the 242 lb class and gave the crowd an impressive show. Floyd won the battle in the squat with a 285 kg lift to Lutario's lift of 272.5kg. Lutario as usual Benched impressive numbers of 232.5 kg. He missed his final of 242.5 kg but lifted enough to surpass Floyd's 3rd attempt of 200 kg. Floyd missed his first and gave the crowd a jolt when the bar went screaming downward toward his throat. The spotter's were on their game, with hands cupped they caught the weight.

The bench is by far the most dangerous of the 3 lifts and the method used to spot has to be echoed throughout the sport. I have personally witnessed the bar crash down on the throat of one lifter, the sternum of another, and, most recent the bar landed, yes landed, on the side of a lifter's head. All were ok but the ending could have been much worse. Enough of that, Lutario was in the lead at the subtotal with 505 kg to Floyd's 485 kg. The 53 year old Floyd, with his patented sprint to the bar and lift would later school the younger lifters how to dealift and take the crown. Old school prevailed with a 322.5 to Lutario's impressive 275 kg deadlift. Floyd's total of 807.5 kg earned a 1st place over Latario's 780 kg total. Caleb Ault was the only teenager in the meet with a total of 445 kg. in the 148 lb class. This young man, if he stay's with the sport, will become a great deadlifter. His form is already there with a 180 kg (396 lb) pull and just missing a 190 kg pull. The UNEQUIPPED Division, Masters' Men had 6 lifters with Roger Merrell being the only 132 lb class, Master 10 (85 years of age) totaling 115 kg, James Meadows totaled 140 kg in the 148 lb class, Master 10 (85 years of age) and Curvin Sell totaling 160 kg in the 165 lb class, Master 8 all in the lighter divisions. Blade McCleland, 82, totaled 135 kg and will be competing in World Competition later this year. Ben Creech finished the day with a 9 for 9 day total of 120 kg and Leon Turner was the heaviest Masters' UNEQUIPPED division lifter with a combined total of 265 kg. The UNEQUIPPED Division Masters' Women had 6 lifters with Josie Merrell totaling 70 kg in the 148 lb class, Terry Drotar totaled 165 kg. also in the 148 lb class but was in a younger age group. Dorris Meadows finished the day with a 152.5 kg total and Carol Roush totaled 160 kg in the 220 lb class, Master 5.

The EQIPPED Division Masters' Men was a crowd pleaser with Jim Harris, 165 pounder totaling 535 kg. for his first meet back in over a year and half. John Jachim finished the day with 467.5 kg, Tommy Damon finished his day 9 for 9 with a total of 565 kg and Neil Manning totaling 467 kg in the 309 lb class.

The Bench Only competition entertained the crowd with Chicago's own, John Dolan. John opened the day with an easy 250 kg (551 lb) in only a T-shirt and singlet. UNEQUIPPED Division lifting at it's best. His second attempt of 260 kg (573 lb) press looked easier than his first and finished the day with an unsuccessful attempt at 272.5 kg (600 lb) press. The weight stalled half way up and tilted to his right side. Daryl Meloche finished with 135 kg press in the 242 lb class for his first meet ever. Dave Lawrence completed his day in the 242 lb class, Masters' 3 (50-54 years) Equipped division with a 142.5 kg press and Scott Hazelton wowed the crowd as usual with an impressive 180 kg (396.8 lb) press. That's almost 2.5 times body weight. Tim Schneider was the only lifter to compete in the Ironman division (Bench and Dead) and totaled 320 kg.

Thanks very much to Unity Church of Livonia, Anna Collins, Ben Creech, Eddie Lawrence, Dave Lawrence, Jan Van Eck, and all the volunteers that helped make this meet a success. The ADFPF State Championship is October 1 in Benton Harbor, MI. For more information contact Dick Van Eck at 269-521-4031.