Date: Sat, 24 Jul 1999 16:01:08 -0400 From: "Jeffry Deigan" Subject: Strength_List: Raw Nationals I thought that I would give a report from the Raw Nationals last week. Unfortunately I lost all my strength lists from about July 15 to July 22 and I may be repeating info others have submitted. (Note: all lifts I am mentioning for other lifters are from memory and I may be off slightly) This was an extremely well run meet of 135 lifters over two days. Most weight classes were very competitive with the final not being decided until the last pull. Well, I have gotten a few emails asking how I and the rest of the Missing Link did, so here it is. Out team's philosophy was that if we could not win, to take at least third to qualify for the Worlds. In the 148s, Missing Link newcomer Chris Simeone took first. In only his third meet Chris went 370-260-490-1120. In the 165s, Joe Braca was unstoppable, going 460-335-610-1405 in 5 lifts. Fighting for third was Missing Linker John Audia and TSO's Jerry Hill. John managed to edge out Jerry 390-350-530-1270 by virtue of making his last deadlift. Missing Linker Dave Ginenthal lifted unopposed in the 181's age 70-75. I forget exactly what he lifted - around 330-230-405. In the 198s Missing Linker Brad Chadwick took second in the submasters (lifts NA) and I took third in the open. The 198s were probably the most improved class this year, with last year's winner and World Champion Steve Salus only taking fourth. Mike Manstrean, the former AAU Nation Assisted and World Assisted Champion lifted Raw and went 585-420-605-1610 for the win. Newcomer Dan Thierry went totaled 1560 and squatted 560 to take second. I forget what he benched and deadlifted, but Dan and Mike both took 4th attempts in the bench rebreaking the records they have already been rebreaking for the last several months. They both benched 410+. As for me, I made my first 2 squats 525, 550 and missed a third at 555. In retrospect I think my squat form was way off as several people told me that I was squatting very upright while I usually squat more butt back. Between the 550 good lift and 555 miss why lower back was going into major spasms and still hurts as I type this on Saturday. Well on to benches. With my back cramping I did not take many warmups sets or reps, but since it was about 100 degrees in the warmup room, I didn't need a lot either. I made an easy 350 opener and then missed 370 2-to-1 for uneven extension (I think my foot slipped slightly which threw off my technique). I took it again after getting better footing and nailed it on my third. Then came deadlifts. With my back still hurting I only took a few warmups. A few singles with 135, 225, and then single pulls at 315, 405, 475. Steve Salus' back was also hurting him and he was afraid that he might not even get his opener. We both opened up with 565. I got mine easily and Steve got his a little bit tougher. I went to 590 and nailed it. Steve took 595 and missed at the knees. I asked for 605 to sew up third place. When I found out that Steve passed his third I upped my attempt to 620 to break the American Record. A little shaky at the top, but I locked it out. Mike and Dan both wanted a shot at the record too, however, but they missed 622.5 on fourth attempts. Since it was on the bar I tried 622.5 too, but I was a bit emotionally drained from the 620 3 minutes before and couldn't get it to my knees. So it looks like I will keep my National record for another year and my American record for at least a little longer. Anyway, for lifts at 198, I tied my squat PR (550), bettered my bench PR by 1 pound (370), bettered my deadlift PR by 3 pounds (620), and bettered my total by 19 pounds to 1540, along with breaking my own American Record while qualifying for the Worlds. So it was a good day all around. The 220s were arguably the only weight class that was weaker than last year. Perry Liles repeated last year's win, but less spectacularly. He blew up a very fast 605 second attempt squat, but missed 630 when he tweaked his knee. After a workman like 360 bench, he pulled a 600 second attempt deadlift. He asked for 625 third, but when he saw that he had no competition he jumped to 635 or 637 to break the national record. He missed and got a 1565 total. With no Deepsquatter and Dan Mahan moved up to 242's, second place went to Jim Kowalski (sp?) with 1535. I saw Jim lift at the Central PA Open in October and he is much improved. The other Missing Linker was Pete Gisondi in the 275's. He managed third in the open and second in the submasters with 580-370-660-1610. This was a bit of a disappointing day for him as he missed all of his third attempts. Overall, this was an excellent meet. Although it was done in a high school, the facilities were excellent. Training for next year starts Monday. Jeff