APA Houston Record Breakers

The 3rd Annual APA Houston Record Breakers got off to a start on a hot, humid morning on Saturday, July 24th in Houston, Texas.   Meet directors were Tom and Maria McCullough, head judge Mark Harris, and side judges Josh Ash and Ann Harris.  Spotters were Mike Pawlik, Brian Nugier, and Chris Tucker. 

The meet got started with the 148's youth division and 11 year od Jesse Burttschell.  Jesse opened up on the squat with a 205 for a Texas record and came right back with a 225 for a World record.  One his third attempt Jessie just missed 245.  In the bench press Jesse was 3 for 3 going 140 on his third for a World record.  In the deadlift Jesse hit 225 on his 2nd attempt putting him at a 590 total for a new world record.  There was a three way battle in the 181's between 15 year old Joe Sassie, junior lifter James Evans, ahd 25 year old Ricky Durant. Ricky missed 535 on his 3rd attempt leaving him with a 505 squat, Joe just missed a 500 squat leaving him with a 450 for a teen world record, and James just missed a 3rd attempt at 600 leaving him with a junior world record of 565 on his 2nd attempt.  In the bench press Joe ended up with a Texas record at 260, while James got 330 and Ricky nailed a 345 on his 3rd attempt.  On the deadlift, Joe ended his day with a easy 335 leaving him with a 1045 total for a new teen world record.  James and Ricky ended up with twin 1380 totals with pulls of 505 by James and 500 by Ricky.  James total of 1380 was more than enough for a new junior world record.  Ricky's 1380 total was enough to give him a slight advantage thus winning him the title of Best Lifter.  Donny Adams (25) won the 198's with a 445 squat, 290 bench, 440 deadlift and 1175 total. Master lifter Robert Mitchell (48) won the 220's with a 405 squat, 275 bench, 275 deadlift and a 1055 total.  Master lifter Gene Wagenseller (45) had a big day taking the 242's with a 450 squat, a Texas record in the bench of 410, a 420 deadlift, and a 1280 total.

In the bench press only division 148'er Adam Watson (18) went 195, 205 and just missed 230.  Lifting in his first meet ever, spotter Mike Pawlik took a break from his duties and opened up with a 230 missing it.  Once Mike settled down he came right back to easily nail 230.  On his 3rd attempt Pawlik missed 235.  Welcome to the sport Mike!  In the 220's submaster lifter Chester Maylone got 285 on his 1st, 305 on his 2nd and just missed 325.  Master lifter Steve Rosenberg (52) nailed 350 on his 1st attempt, but came back to miss 360 and 365 on his 2nd and 3rd.  Master lifter Marc LeBlanc (41) had a great day setting 4 Texas records.  LeBlanc blew up 345 on his 1st attempt, 355 on his 2nd, 375 on his 3rd and came right back to nail 400 on a 4th attempt.  The big man from Louisiana Damon Prudhomme, with a big 530 and was just not able to get the weight to the chest.  On his 2nd attempt of 550, once again the weight would just not touch.  Damon came back on his 3rd attempt and took 565 and once again he still had problems touching the weight to the chest.  Look for some big numbers coming form this new lifter in the future.

Lifting in the deadlift only division we had Cody Burttschell and Brian Kline.  Cody, only 9 years old, lifted in the teen 11-12 division.  This was the first time Cody had ever been in a meet and he easily got a your Texas record with his 2nd attempt of 150 pounds.  Not bad since Cody only weighed in at 98 pounds.  Master lifter Brian Kline (53) opened with an easy 450 coming right back on the 2nd attempt with 500.  On his 3rd Brian needed to break 550 to take a new world record so Brian went 552 and easily pulled it the top taking the record.

Thanks to Houston ISD for supporting this sport and allowing us to use their facilities.  Another thanks to House of Pain for attending this meet.  Hope you guys made some money!  Thanks also to Inzer Advance Designs and Powerlifting USA for their continued support of both our meets and the sport.   A big hats off to head judge Mark Harris, and side judges Josh Ash and Ann Harris, spotters were Mike Pawlik, Brian Nugier, and Chris Tucker and score keeper Maria McCullough who all worked hard to make this meet happen.