2003 American Powerlifting Committee (APC)
National Championships
The inaugural American Powerlifting Committee (APC) National Powerlifting Championsips was held in Marietta, GA on June 21, 2003. The day went quickly and smoothly, thanks to flawless spotting/loading and a good scoring table staff. Enormous thanks go to our spotter/loaders Doug Riemer, Mark Phillips, Kenneth Johnson, Ben Howard and Josh Gill, who loaded the bar with lightning speed and precision and spotted every lifter with an eagle eye. AWPC International judges Mark Vickers, Eric Stoker and Ed Angstrom were fair and consistent. As lifters themselves, they know what they want to see in judges. Finally, the meet doesn’t run without a scoring table, and this table did a great job. Thanks to Becky Riemer, Carol Angstrom and her daughters for their hard work.
In the open men’s category, Mike Lockley won the 82.5 K class, despite a rocky start, getting his opening 197.5 squat and 155K bench before going 3 for 3 in the deadlift, with a 265K. Also in the 82.5 class, Brantley Waites couldn’t get his 320K squat low enough to suit the judges. In the 90K class, Eddie Pitts took a 237.5K second attempt squat, a 182.5 bench and a 237.5K deadlift and won first place. Kevin Brown couldn’t get his 235K squat past the judges. Light 100K lifter Jeremy Sisler got a 182.5 squat, settled for his opening 125K bench and a 195 second attempt deadlift to win his class. His 90K competitor Rick Donahue couldn’t please the judges with his 320K squat. In the 110K class, and Alabama State Champ in several federations, Jeff Green went 3 for 3 in the squat with a 305K, 2 for 3 in the bench with a 160K bench, and an opening deadlift of 300K, which was good enough to earn him a best lifter trophy. 110K lifter Stephen Parkhurst was another lifter with a depth problem that day, and couldn’t get his 330K opening squat passed. 125K lifter Jay Floyd went 8 for 9, with a 290K squat, 165K bench and 265K deadlift. 140K lifter Chris Savage had a great 3 for 3 squat, ending with a 287.5, an opening 170K bench and a second attempt 275K deadlift. In the open women’s category, we had just one lifter, but she is one of the best there is, Margaret Kirkland. Lifting in the 52K class (and without a belt!) Margaret went 8 for 9 with a 145K squat, 80K bench and 155K deadlift. In the Submaster Men’s category, 82.5K lifter Paul Lathrop had a day of hits and misses, getting second attempts on all three lifts, 142.5K, 125K and 192.5K. In the 90K class, Earl York had a perfect for 9 day, squatting 237.5K, benching 192.5 and deadlifting 237.5 and got himself a best lifter trophy. Andy Fowler, the taller half of team Fowler (but probably not for long) did a 212.5K squat, going so deep he nearly reached the basement. He followed this with a 3 for 3 bench ending with a 145K, and a second attempt 210K deadlift, passing on a third. In the Master Men Category, 90K, 40-44, Ted Carter did some great lifting with a 3 for 3 172.5K squat, second attempt 137.5K bench, then let it rip with a 235K second attempt deadlift. 140K Master 45-49 lifter Ray Pelis started off by settling for his opening 227.5K squat, but got his stride going with a 3 for 3 215K bench and a second attempt 275K deadlift. Master 60-64, 90K lifter Jim Rouse had a good day, if not one of his greater days, getting a 277.5K squat, 177.5K bench and 262.5K deadlift. In the teenage category, 15 year old Roland McNeil squat 175K, then set AWPC world records with a 93.5K bench and 182.5K deadlift. In the Junior category, 75K raw lifter Jabali Brown couldn’t get his 175K squat passed by the judges, but went on to complete the bench meet. 90K lifter Michael Wotaszak got his second attempt 150K squat, an opening 155K bench, but hit his stride in the deadlift going 3 for 3 and pulling 187.5K. 125K junior lifter Eric Smith injured his knee on his second attempt 295K squat and was forced to pass on the rest of the meet.
In the bench meet, 90K lifter Kevin Brown did not have his best day, but walked away with an opening 115K bench. Michael Rubio, lifting as both an open and a junior lifter, set a GA state AAPF junior record with his second attempt 205K. 140K lifter Chad Justice didn’t have everything working this day, and couldn’t make his 305K. 140K+ lifter Miguel Rodriguez couldn’t get past his opener, which was still a whopping 310K, winning him a best lifter trophy. In the junior category 75K raw lifter Jabali Brown got his opening 160K. 90K junior Michael Rubio set a state and national AAPF record with his second 205K lift. 15 year old 75K lifter Roland McNeil also set a AWPC world record with his second attempt 93.5K. Likewise, 18 year old 82.5K lifter Steven Faulkner set an AWPC world record with his second attempt 182.5K. Football coach and submaster Matt Day made his trip from Kentucky worthwhile by going 3 for 3 ending with a 222.5K, and looking like he could do more. Master 40-44 125K lifter Greg Gordon has seen better bench days and couldn’t get his 272.5 past the judges. Master 45-49 90K lifter Ronnie Baker had his best day since his bicep surgery, going 3 for 3 with a 175K. Master 50-54 100K lifter Yan Howah made only his 205K opener, but it was enough to win him an AWPC world record.
This meet is dedicated to the memory of our friend Dick Reno, who pioneered powerlifting in the state of Georgia.
Nadine Baker