WE DID IT!

MDA benefit achieves 10,000 dollar goal

After several years the Roy Begley Memorial Bench Press Challenge finally achieved its goal of breaking the 10,000 dollar mark. The lifters really stepped up to the plate this year. Before the event even started we were already passed the 7,000 mark in entry fees! Our top 3 fundraisers this year were Steve Favreau, Laurie Anderson and Joe Smolinski. The crowd was also very generous this year, donating money through our raffle and several other outlets on the way to our biggest milestone yet. 

We would like to thank the following special guests that helped make this event enjoyable.  Abdul Wesolowski and Jared Spybrook who put on a great demonstration in the stone lift. Both successfully placed the 400-pound stone for the very first time. They also helped raise money by selling 8x10 pics. These guys are always a big hit when they come out. Their contribution is greatly appreciated. Thanks guys! Clay Brandenburg amazed the crowd once again this year by annihilating 650 in the bench, not for 1 rep but 3!!! He just competed the weekend before so he actually was taking it easy on this day. We hope nothing but the best for Clay in future competition.

Several volunteers helped make this event possible as well. Frenchtown Square Mall as always donated space for the event as well as pitched in to make this event happen. The Cellar Dweller Powerlifting Team did a ton of running around before and after as well as helping run the event. Powerhouse Gym of Monroe has been with us since the first year. Richard Orndorf did great helping on the mic and with motivating everyone to donate!  Scott Beard and The Southern Michigan Timberwolves helped with the announcing and spotting duties. Several people commented to me on how professional the announcing was done. They have been volunteers for many of our events and it is always appreciated.  Jim Hinze of the American Powerlifting Federation was on hand to help lifters and spot during the stone demonstration.  Tim Trombly and his crew from Total Flex Gym in Southgate were a great help. They let us borrow a few things that really helped out. Thanks to Dawn Bellino of the Professional Clinic, Mercy Memorial Hospital, photographer Darrell Ellis, Concepts 2000, United States Marine Corps, MCSDs Dare program (Thanks Charlotte), Alexander Jewelers, Vitamin World, Spencers Gifts, Jake Jones, Dunhams, Radio Shack, Traci, Pam, Jayme, Amy, Amy, Mrs Fields, Regal Cinemas, K Mart, Green Meadows, Knights Inn. Sorry if I missed a few.

Many records fell this year. Joe Smolinski secured the Men 40+ record, benching 240 pounds over his bodyweight. Teen lifters Stephen Kish (teen heavy) and Nick Teen (teen light) bested their divisions records. Tony Murawski managed to drop back down to the 150s to beat his old record. Matt Duffey toyed with the idea of erasing our oldest record at 175. I have no doubt he will do it next year. Rod Williams just made the 200 cutoffs. With .2 of a pound to spare. He managed to beat his previous record by 20 pounds. Chip Tallman blew the 250 division record out of the water by 85 pounds. Scott Vickery broke the record and the 600 barrier at 275. Thanks again to all who participated. See you in March 2005!