USA Powerlifting Maryland

Congratulations to USA Powerlifting Maryland's newest State Referee Lori Hartle!

It is with a heavy heart & great sorrow that I inform our members of the passing of Masters lifter & National Referee Dennis Reamy.

Dennis & I trained together at Maryland Athletic Club back in the 90s & early 2000s in Beltsville. MAC was one of the first & finest powerlifting gyms of its era & folks came from far & wide to lift there, and witness some incredible training. At any given time we had 10-15 lifters that competed at the National & International level, including World Champions. Training with these folks was a privilege & honor that I will never forget. Some of our team have faded away with time, but most I consider great friends, and I still communicate with them as often as time allows.

Dennis was just a bit older than my father. He was full of sage advice, the wisdom of one that had more experience than the twenty-something year old me, and he had a wicked sense of humor to boot. To say we sometimes got along like oil & water would be accurate. Both of us were known to push each others buttons from time to time. As I have grown older, I have not only learned to appreciate his point of view, I now know I will miss it greatly.

I can vividly recall some of our discussions from the past like they were yesterday. Most revolved around life in general, with just a little about lifting. Very little actually; Dennis had a way of guiding those younger than himself through life that was mostly painless. His influence was not always obvious at the time, but has become much more so as I've grown older.

Some of those chats that seemed frivolous were the best. We talked about music often, and recommended artists to each other when the subject came up. As fans of the blues, he would speak of the time he saw Mose Allision play piano locally, and I would turn him on to some new hotshot guitarist.

As I type this, I realize his DNA (literally) is in the next room. Dennis gifted me a nylon string acoustic guitar years ago. I remember him stating every 5-10 years he would buy a guitar at a yard sale with the intention of learning to play, and then give the guitar away after a few years of sitting in the closet. I don't know if he ever bought another guitar after he gave that one to me, but I do know that I brought more than one new electric guitar to the gym so he could check it out. He couldn't play it, but he appreciated the beauty of a shiny new instrument. I'll never be much of a guitar player, but I enjoy it as much as my time allows.

My collection is meager, but I'm sure I will end up a better collector than a player. Such is life, I suppose.

When I received the news of Dennis' passing earlier this week, I thought back to our talks about some of his life's work, including working as a linesman for the local phone company. It was some tough, physical work in what could be brutal weather. I remember him stating that as taxing as it was physically, it was something he took great pride & enjoyment in. Wouldn't you know it, later that night a video of Glen Campbell playing "Wichita Lineman" popped up on my Facebook feed.

Some of you younger lifters have probably never heard of Campbell, and many of you would probably consider Campbell's music as "easy listening" or "my parent's music." I studied the song after Campbell left this Earth, and let me tell you, the structure of the song was complex & challenging. Ask your parent & grandparents, and they'll tell you: Campbell was an amazing musician, and very popular when they were your age. "Wichita Lineman" was probably his most popular song, and hearing it for the first time in years brought back a flood of good memories of Dennis. I'm happy say, that as much as we could get along like cats & dogs, we spent most of our time around each other getting along well. Even though he did like to ruffle my feathers when he could. And I gave it right back.

Dennis last competed in 2013 or 2015, at one of my earliest meets as a Meet Director. He wanted not only to set an American Record or two (which he did) but he also wanted support me as a meet director & as a fledgling State Chair. He did both.

Sadly, I won't get a chance to let him know how much that meant to me. But I think he already knew. He was wise like that.

Godspeed, Dennis. You will be (and already are) missed by all of us who graced with your presence.

Mike

Life Without You Provided to YouTube by Sony Music MediaLife Without You · Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double TroubleSoul to Soul℗ 1985 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entert...

Lifters,

I am working on updating the State Records for the MD State Push/Pull Championships right now. They will be done shortly.

Raw Nationals records will be updated as soon as I can.

Mike Sichelman
State Chair
USA Powerlifting Maryland

All,

The lifting database has been updated to reflect the results for the MD State Push/Pull meet. There were some issues with the site that prevent the upload before Raw Nationals. I will approve the records as soon as I can, probably over the weekend.

Mike Sichelman
State Chairman
USA Powerlifting Maryland

Have you read the new rule book yet?

The new USA Powerlifting Rulebook has been published! It goes into effect immediately.

You can find it on the USA Powerlifting Technical Committee Webpage: www.usapowerlifting.com/technical

Thank you to the entire Technical Committee for all of your work to make this happen!

New Collegiate totals have been updated

https://www.usapowerlifting.com/lifters-corner/qualifying-totals/?fbclid=IwAR2iTrRS_QbFpLdXzefZtNm634OiNwL3nb4zSVL_Br5cpekciEHWBqLdWLc

National Qualifying Totals - USA Powerlifting  

Front.. or back, not sure yet.

New banner is here!

It's my understanding that the new rule book will be published very soon. Once It's available I'm planning on starting a "Did you know..." series here on Facebook to go over some of the little details that many folks miss, and make for better competitors.

Stay tuned!

It's my understanding we may be a little short-handed on spotter/loaders this weekend at the meet at Chiseled in Columbia. If you will be in attendance & feel like getting a good workout in, stop by & talk to me or the Meet Director.

Mike Sichelman
State Chairman
USA Powerlifting Maryland

Congratulations to Lori Hartle on her SIX new American Records set at the MD State Championships! They were just uploaded to the Lifting Database today.

Mike Sichelman
State Chairman
USA Powerlifting Maryland

Congratulations to our two newest State Referees for USA Powerlifting Alyssa Truong & Lindsey Jackson! Both have freely given there time as volunteers in the past & have decided to give back to our sport. Please take a moment & show them your appreciation at your next meet.

Know the rules of performance?
Call depth for your training partners?
Give start & rack commands to random lift-off help at the gym?

You could be our next State Referee. Contact me & we'll get the ball rolling.

Mike Sichelman
State Chairman
USA Powerlifting Maryland

Good afternoon,

The results for States have been posted to the Database. It will take me the next few days to process the 161 State Records that were set. Congratulations to all of those who set or broken records.

Mike Sichelman
State Chairman
USA Powerlifting Maryland

Courtesy of dubious planning on my part, and thanks to FIVE meets in VA & MD in the past three weeks, I now have over 200 records in the queue to verify & approve. I've heard from a few of you, and I will respond as soon as I can.

In the mean time, I've been burning the midnight oil getting ready for States. My inbox is destroyed. I'm exhausted & going to bed.

Mike Sichelman
State Chairman
USA Powerlifting Maryland

I've been given a not too subtle hint that my meet playlist could use some updating. Here's your chance to have some input. Feel free to suggest your favorite workout song that you'd like to hear at a local meet.

All genres are fair game, just make sure I can find a version without explicit lyrics.

Registration is now open for the MD State Championships

https://liftingcast.com/meets/mltrmhn9ui2n/registration

LiftingCast LiftingCast - Powerlifting Meet Management

https://www.instagram.com/p/CnnAEsHPpks/

We always need more referees. Check out all the requirements and steps to becoming a USAPL referee. Reach out to your state chair if you’re interested! #USAPL #USAPowerlifting #LiftClean

The sanction request for the 2023 Maryland State Championships has been approved. More info, including registration information, will be posted in the next few days, or sooner if possible.

Mike Sichelman
State Chairman
USA Powerlifting Maryland

Congratulations to Ryan So & Briscoe Thompson as Maryland's newest State referees for USA Powerlifting.

The referee's chair is the best seat in the house, and a great way to become a better competitor. Interested in joining the team? Contact me at usaplmd (at) comcast (dot) net for more information

Mike Sichelman
State Chairman
USA Powerlifting Maryland

First of three new meet sanctions submitted last night, more info to follow once approved!

I've got good news for many of you!

After a discussion with the records coordinator at the National Office, we have activated the ability to create single lift and push/pull records for the results database.

What does this mean?

It means over 530+ potential State Records have been sent to the queue, waiting for me to approve them. No rest for the weary!

I will be working month to month, starting with January 2022 up to the present. Maybe a State Record will show up in your stocking this year!

Mike Sichelman
State Chairman
USA Powerlifting Maryland

Good morning everyone,

Top Tier Columbia is hosting a Crossfit competition next Saturday 12/10 and is looking for a few volunteers to help set up, spotting/loading, etc. Might be a way to learn more about another sport. If you would like to help out, you can contact the gym through their website.

https://www.toptiercolumbia.com/contact

Contact — Fitness Happens Here Contact us Today! You WILL Improve yourself and exceed your Goals. The largest functional fitness facility in Howard County MD, competitive membership prices, functional fitness, Olympic Lifting, Powerlifting, Kettlebell, and Strong Man Coaches that focus on quality movement, mastering technique, me

Look what came back this week?

Congratulations to all the lifters at our meet yesterday. It was nice to start a little later than normal & still finish before 2PM. I hope to add some smaller meets to our schedule. To that end, I will be contacting two gyms this week to add to our schedule for 2023, and possibly into 2024.

Mike Sichelman
State Chairman
USA Powerlifting Maryland

For the lifters & spectators who came out to the Hometown Classic today, thank you for a successful meet, and one of the LOUDEST small meets I've been to in ages.

On a distressing note, the mixer bag I use to transport our scales disappeared during the meet, along with two wrenches I use to assemble the ER racks, and the scale certification for American records.

The cost for me to replace this stuff is over $100, and the timing is awful, seeing as we have three meets in the next four weeks. I have a couple of wrenches in my toolbox that will do the trick, but any meet director will tell you the equipment they use for meets is specific for that use.

I know mistakes happen. Anyone could have picked up this bag thinking it was their gym bag. If you've done this, please contact me at usaplmd (at) comcast.net and we can arrange the return. Otherwise, I have no choice than to factor this into the cost of doing business, and I think it's safe to say that's how meet entry fees get more expensive.

Mike Sichelman
State Chairman
USA Powerlifting Maryland

There is an unsanctioned push/pull meet next Saturday (9/24) at Chiseled in Columbia (a memorial meet for charity) and a third referee is needed. Anyone interested?

Registration is now FIXED for States! Sorry for the delay.

Registration for States is now open at Lifting Cast.

I usually require a membership number to be added while registering, but due to the date being so close the renewal start date of 11/1, a current membership is not required. If you have a CURRENT membership that expires on 12/31, please add the number when registering. If your membership is expired and you know the number, add it during registration and renew whenever you like.

If you renew on 11/1 or later, the membership is good through 2023. If you renew or start a new membership on 11/1 or later, you will need to make sure you get the membership information to me ASAP. Waiting until meet day will will slow things down.

Mike Sichelman
Meet Director

Barring any unforeseen technical difficulties, registration for States will open tomorrow morning at 9AM

We would like to expand the Baltimore Raw Open on 9/3 to two platforms. In order to do this we need volunteers to spot/load and to serve as referees. Please let me know if you're willing to help, and I will forward your info to the Meet Director. Thanks!

Mike Sichelman
MD State Chair

https://www.usapowerlifting.com/for-immediate-release-powerlifting-america-threats-to-lifters-coaches-officials/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Powerlifting America Threats to Lifters, Coaches, Officials - USA Powerlifting FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 18, 2022 Powerlifting America Threats to Lifters and Former Lifters (Anchorage, Alaska) Many of you are aware that Powerlifting America administrators are demanding that athletes, coaches, and officials resign their membership in USA Powerlifting to participate in their fe...

I've got around 80 records to approve in the queue. I'll get them done as soon as I can, and I will respond to the few e-mails I've received once the records are done.

Mike Sichelman
State Chair
USA Powerlifting Maryland

Hahahahahaha!

Straight for the jugular

Congratulations to Tyler Leow on becoming Maryland's newest State Referee for USA Powerlifting!

Which one of you wants to be next?

Everyone,

The Ladies of Iron results have been uploaded to the database. I have 69 records to approve. I'll do my best to get them done by the end of the weekend.

In the mean time, here's a video I thought some would find interesting:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KDpH8s1ztY

The 5 hour-5 Hundred Yoke Challenge w/ Ryan Hall Former marathoner and american record holder Ryan Hall takes on the ultimate challenge of strength and endurance as he attempts to carry a 500 lb yoke for 50...

Good afternoon everyone,

I've been contacted regarding a few State records. There were over 80 records set at Collegiate Nationals. I will have these processed as soon as I can.

Mike Sichelman
State Chairman
USA Powerlifting Maryland

OK, I should be ashamed of myself.....

I didn't realize that there were so many MD lifters that competed in VA, or at the Arnold, for that matter. Now that we've gone back to the old weight classes, the records are falling like leaves in Autumn. I have over 100 to approve.

I'll add that to me "to-do" list and get them done ASAP.

Mike Sichelman

Congratulations to USA Powerlifting Maryland's two newest State Referees: Jameson Brodeur & Nicholas Trakas! We now have 4 new State Referees for 2022, and 4 athletes that stand for USA Powerlifting's values.

Who's next?

Mike Sichelman
State Chairman
USA Powerlifting Maryland

The future is looking pretty bright!

After much planning and preparation, our international members will bring our electrifying brand of powerlifting competitions to the rest of the world!

Later this fall we will proudly welcome our first international competitions in Australia.

The USA Powerlifting Australia Open and will be available for USA Powerlifting members who are residents of the U.S and the host nation.

Best lifters of the host nation will have the ability to earn their pro card and gain eligibility to compete in the USA Powerlifting Pro Series.

We’re proud to provide athletes and coaches an avenue to continue the fun of travel, international friendships, and intense international competition.

For more information visit usapowerlifting.com