“Hey, I thought USPA didn’t do multi-ply lifting...wait don’t they make you walk out?”

The Dirty Gym is proud to say, YES the USPA does multi-ply lifting, and with the spectacular safety, and judging standards the federation is known for. Look for more opportunities to compete and gain qualification for USPA Multi-Ply Nationals in 2020. 

The Dirty roster included: Coaches Bethany Lassen, Amber Hansen, Casey Strope and Noah Blake. In addition, we had Aaron Pendleton, Tommy Jacobs, Daniel Mogilevsky, James Turner, and John Youker, as well as two of our remote athletes; Sara Howard, and Erica Strope. Last but not least, making their multi-ply debuts: Josh Lynch, Hannah Lynch, Nick Sapp, Cassandra Shellabarger, Christina Howell, James Blair, and Larissa Maiden.

The competition was tight all day with the 75kg Raw ladies, Erica Strope putting up a 370kg total, Casey Strope totaling 410kg, and Bethany Lassen with a 415kg total. They were back and forth all day until the very end! Meanwhile, Amber put on a show squatting 215kg, benching 122.5kg, and deadlifting 227.5kg in the 90kg weight class and breaking all of the current State Records.

The men’s side featured many first time competitors, or athletes getting back at it after several years off ...a chance to get their feet wet and gain competition experience. Coach Noah Blake came out hard in his second meet and squatted 265kg, benched a massive 185kg, and sealed the deal with his 255kg deadlift in the 82.5kg weight class. HE will be a force to be reckoned with in a few years...and is still a junior lifter! Aaron put up a 642.5kg total, James hit a 435kg total knocking off the rust and getting back into competition form. Daniel nabbed a 487.5kg total in the 75kg class also taking all of the Junior state records in the process. John, very new to powerlifting at 73 years of age competed in his first meet push pull with a 162.5kg total and PR’s on both lifts!

Onto the dark side of things...the mono was rocking with Larissa, Hannah, Chrissy, and  Sara with their first meet in full gear. Chrissy set the National record in the squat, and the state record in the bench press. Cassie showed massive improvement squatting 240kg, benching 107.5kg, and deadlifting 192.5kg for a huge PR total! Josh followed suit squatting 410kg, benching 205kg, and deadlifting 317.5 for his first over 2k total at 932.5kg. Nick was a rockstar supporting the team and a massive 100lb PR on his shirted bench at 182.5kg and 15lb DL PR coming in at 215kg. 

Thank you to all competitors, spotters, loaders, and judges...You all made the Love to Lift meet spectacular! The day was filled with energy, support, and some monster lifts.

Special thanks to Ohio state chair Chris Smith for traveling to be with us, Willis McCoy, and Sara Kelly without you judging the day would have not been possible! Last but not least Tanner, Lucas, Kayla, Hannah, Caroline, Brandon, Lauren, and Eric Thank you for being an amazing spotting and loading team...the toughest job of the meet, but it wouldn’t happen without you guys!