Pumpin’ Iron At The Bench Press Classic

YOU CAN DO THIS! - Dennis Goeders prepares to unrack the bar for former Mallard resident Brett Iwen during action in the Sixth Annual Northwest Iowa Bench Press Classic Saturday. Iwen, who traveled from Bennington, Kansas, benched 355 pounds, under the watchful eyes of spotters Dan Chism, left, and Jim George, on the right.--Dan Voigt photo
Bring together 31 individuals from across the midwest who bench press weights, add in lots of camaraderie and excitement about the sport, and you’ve set the stage for the Sixth Annual Northwest ZIowa Bench Press Classic. The 2008 edition of the event saw competitors make the journey to Emmetsburg from as far as Kansas this past Saturday to take part in the event at the Smith Wellness Center.
With competitors as young as 10 years of age, the sport of bench pressing is growing in popularity every year. This year, several new faces were in attendance to participate in the event, as well as several returning lifters who have participated over the six-year history of the event, according to meet organizer Dennis Goeders.
This year’s top lift was 550 pounds, completed by Leonard Willison of Cedar Falls. Willison is returning to competitive lifting after recuperating from an injury last year. Willison, who tips the scales at 317 pounds, opened his lifting day at 515 ponds, and ended with a successful lift of 550 pounds.
To illustrate the growth of the sport, Willison’s two youn sons, aged 10 and 12, both participated in the event on Saturday, with Clayton benching 55 pounds and his older brother Trenton benching 60 pounds.
Complete lift results are as follows
2008 Northwest Iowa
Bench Press Classic
March 28
Weight Body Contestant Home Best
Class Weight Name town Lift
Flight I
Teen 1 94 Clayton Willison Cedar Falls 55
Teen 1 119 Trenton Willison Cedar Falls 60
Teen 1 131 Jake Stubbs Emmetsburg 140
Teen 2 142 Garrett Breese Minneapolis, KS 180
Teen 2 160 Joe Naig Emmetsburg 205
Novice 1 209 Jared Criswell Montezuma 205
Teen 2 172 Bobby Mortenson Emmetsburg 290
Teen 2 177 Mitch Miller Dickens 300
Flight II
novice 1 218 Baron Brinkman Emmetsburg 280
Novice 2 220 Jim Schon Glidden 320
Teen 2 275 Adam Mustard Estherville 315
Submaster 194 Lance Zimmerman Estherville 325
Submaster 212 Lino Vera Emmetsburg 340
Novice 1 213 Daniel Sullivan Cedar Falls 335
Novice 1 242 Brad Rich Arma, KS 350
Teen 2 164 Markus Thiel Estherville 355
Flight III
Teen 2 198 Joe Stuckel Storm Lake 365
Master 1 220 Brett Iwen Bennington, KS 355
Master 1 216 Phil Heath Algona 380
Master 1 210 Robert Knaack Estherville 375
Novice 1 213 Dylan Marlow Bronson, KS 370
Submaster 217 Jerry Goeders Ames 375
Master 1 268 Wayne Hammes Oskaloosa 425
Master 1 180 John Chrencik Hanlontown 425
Flight IV
Master 1 218 Dale Schmidtke Mason City 425
Teen 2 267 Jared Enderton Graettinger 435
Open 275 Tom Goeders Ames 450
Submaster 309 Jimmy Nichols Bronson, KS 510
Teen 2 175 Dave Nelson Manly 530
Submaster 347 Leonard Willison Cedar Falls 550
Open 312 Brian Grover Otho 540