Local weightlifters deserve congratulations
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Editor,
March 23 was an eventful day for weightlifters in Lake County, from Arlee to Polson, as they competed in a muscle against iron contest, namely “WABDL Montana State Bench Press and Deadlift Championship.” The event was held at the Ruby’s Event Center in Missoula. Some 85 to 90 lifters were registered for this contest, from ages 12 on up, both men and women, from Montana, Washington, Idaho and Oregon. They came to show that devotion to the sport of weightlifting, long hours and good physical training in the gym can reap rewards.
Two categories were included in this meet: bench press and dead lift. Our group from Lake County showed that they excel at both, as they broke their own records and some of others to come home with the glory of being there.
Bench press: T.J. Haynes, Arlee, division law-fire sub-master men, first place and Montana state record, 358 pounds. Joe Pablo, Arlee, division master men, first place and Montana state record, 407 pounds. Ike Pablo, Arlee, division master men, raw lifter, first place, 314 pounds. Skip Schacher, Ronan, division master men, age 68-74, weight class 132 pounds, set new world record of 187.02 pounds.
Virginia Cornelius, Ronan, division master women, age 68-74, first place, 77.5 pounds. Meafua Tualaina, Polson, division master men, raw lifter, age 47-53, Montana state record, 451 pounds.
Deadlifters: Louis Fiddler, Arlee, division law-fire sub-master men, weight class 220 pounds, new Montana state record, 462 pounds. Alex Finley, Ronan, division class 1 men, weight class 220 pounds, first place, 501 pounds, and awarded “lifter of the day.” Virginia Cornelius, Ronan, division master women, age 68-74, Montana state record 154 pounds. Craige Couture, Polson, division law-fire, age 40-47, weight class 275 pounds, new Montana state record, and first place, law-fire open men, 551 pounds. Brandon Couture, Polson, division-law-fire open men, raw, new Montana state record, 501 pounds. Tualaina Meafua, Polson, division master men, age 47-53, weight class 308 pounds; lift was 429 pounds.
Congratulations go out to these weightlifters and to anyone who braves the gym to create a better you. You are the greatest.
Virginia Cornelius
Ronan
