APA Space City Bench Press Extravaganza

The Space City Bench Press Extravaganza was held at Sam Houston High School in Houston, Texas on Saturday, January 21, 2006.  A big thanks to the Sam Houston High School Powerlifting Team for all the work they did helping set up and run this meet.  Thanks also to our judges Mark Harris, Steve Burttshell, Brian Kline and our score keeper and photographer Maria McCullough.

The day started out with Jimmy Romero in the men’s 132.  Romero ended his day with a 3^rd attempt of 155 pounds in the teen 16-17 division  In the 148’s, teen lifter Joe Ruiz had a big day setting a Texas record with his 3^rd attempt of 230 pounds.  Jaun Gonzalez lifting in the 165’s put up 170, while Jessee Huerta benched an easy 200 for a new Texas record.  Master lifter Russel Roberts lifting in the 198’s, had a great day bringing home three Texas records with a 290, 310 and 325.  Also lifting in the 198’s, teen lifter Cedric Morris,  placed 1^st with his 225 bench.  Lifting in the masters 220’s, John Guiterrez placed 1^st with his 90 opener and teen lifter Jose Marroquin ended his day with 230.  In the 242 submaster, Brian Propst missed his 1^st attempt only to come back and nail 445.  Raymond Jansky had a rough day missing all three attempts.  Lifting in the master division, Chuck Young went 225 on his 1^st attempt and missed his 2^nd.  Teen lifter Matthew Matta went 3 for 3 nailing 230 on his 3^rd.  In the 18-19 year old teen division Lewis Torres hit 325 on his 2^nd attempt beating Rosendo Gonzalez’s 190 for 1^st place.  Torrez also took home the Best Teenage Lifter award.  In the 275’s, big Jeff Snyder opened up with a huge 655 and could not lock it out all the way.  Snyder came back on his 2^nd attempt and finished off what he couldn’t do before by nailing 655.  On his 3^rd Jeff went 705 but was out of gas.  Snyder took home a new Texas Open 275 record with his 655, beating Tiny Meeker’s old record set several years back. Tiny Meeker was even there to help him do it.  Not only did Jeff set a new Texas record but he went home with the Best Lifter award.  Look for some big numbers coming out of Jeff Snyder in the near future. In the submaster division, Chris Radcliff opened up with 365 and took an easy 405 on his 2^nd attempt..  Master lifter Raymond Young set an easy Texas record with his 440 2^nd attempt.  In the teen division, Heriberto Cantu edged out Ben Zepeda taking home the gold with his opener of 275.  Sepeda set a new Texas record with his 1^st and 2^nd attempt, but Cantu came back on his 2^nd attempt to put the Texas record in his pocket.  In the SHW’s,  Sean Castillo opened up with a 565 bench and got a little out of the groove. Costillo took 585 on his 2^nd attempt and drove it home.  This was enough to give Costillo a new Pennsylvania State SHW record.  On his 3^rd attempt Sean gave 605 for a ride but it was just no there this time. 

In the women’s division, teen world champion Amanda Harris opened up with 120 and took 135 for a world record attempt 3 more times, just missing it each time.  Expect Harris to come back at her next meet and put 135 in the record books.

A huge thanks to Sam Houston Principal Aida Tello, Assistant Principal Brett Wilmeth, and Houston Independent School District for all of their support of the sport of powerlifting.  Thanks also to Tiny Meeker for showing up and helping out our lifters.  Last but not least, thanks to John Inzer of Inzer Advance Designs and Mike Lambert for all their support for this sport, its lifters and our meets.