AAU Junior Olympics Powerlifting Nationals

August 4&5, 2000

The bars and weights were supplied by York Barbell. The warmup room had plenty of room, plenty of weights, three benches, three power racks, and was loaded with all the Power Bars and Powerade that the competitors could eat or drink.

Everything ran very smooth with the exception of the announcing. Meet announcer, and veteran lifter, Dennis Maine admitted to having a very tough time calling out the lifters since the event was a two platform meet. All the lifters and coaches were used to hearing who was "on deck" and "in the hole". Mr. Maine obviously didn't realize the importance of this and got EXTREMELY upset when lifters and coaches confronted him about this. By day 2, the situation was under control and it was smooth sailing from that point on.

The female and male lifters up to 181 lbs. competed on day 1. Nate Vasqez, an extremely talenetd 9 year old, 77 lb. lifter from Washington, amazed the crowd with a 105 lb. squat, a 55 lb. bench, and an astounding 165 lb. deadlift! This deadlift was a national record in the 8-9 year old, 77 lb. weight class.

Meighan Roose, 112 lbs., 16 years old, was on fire this day! Meighan shattered records left and right with every attempt she took. Each of her opening attempts broke an American record in the 114 lb., 15-16 division. Meg squatted 200 lbs. (broke record by 75 pounds), benched 100 (broke record by 25 lbs.), and deadlifted 225 (broke record by 20 pounds). In all, Meighan ended up 9 for 9 and earned 4 American records. We look forward to seeing this Strength and Beyond Power Team member competing in the AAU Worlds in Las Vegas Next fall.

Meg's older brother and Strength and Beyond Power Teammate Robbie Roose also did expetionally well. Robbie is a college level wrestler and uses powerlifting to increase his strength on the mat. Robbie squatted 395, benched 285, and deadlifted 430. There was a discrepancy during his bench press. Do to the poor announcing, some lifters were lifting out of place thus using the wrong weights. On Robbie's third attempt, he lifted what he thought was 290 lbs. After completing the lift, he was told that the weigth was not loaded for him and that what he lifted was only 285 lbs. Obviously, this did not sit well with neither, Robbie or coach George Petrides. After much protest, the judges allowed Robbie another attempt which he took at 290 lbs and missed.

The star of the day was no doubt the strongest female on the planet! Her name is Shanon Pole-Summers. The fact that she won a gold medal in the weightlifting competition 2 days prior makes her powerlifting feats even more spectacular! Sixteen year old Shannon squatted 450, benched 265, and dealifted 340 which was an American record. This young lady currently holds over 100 powerlifting records in numerous organizations, and swears that she will be on the 2004 U.S. Olympic Weightlifting Team. Her drive and determination somehow tells me that this may come true.