2005 Illinois State Meet Report
The 2005 APF/AAPF Illinois State Championships had the biggest lifter turnout in Illinois history. 130 Powerlifters and Bench Pressers came to Frantz Sports in Aurora to battle it out for records and the bragging rights to “State Champion”. The meet was held over 2 days March 12 & 13 and we needed every minute.
The sessions started on time due to Ernie’s wealth of equipment for warm-ups. Three monolifts were available in the warm up room. Ernie’s elevator shuttled lifters from the warm up to the 3rd floor meet site, which boasted the largest monolift in the world. That is until last, Sunday afternoon when it decided to go on strike. Even then there was no break in the action.
The action started on Saturday with the Bench Only division. The bomb out gremlin got a number of competitors. That’s too bad but there was still plenty of chalk dust flying around and many state records were broken. Standouts were John Hudson, head of the Illini Power Team who benched 250 to break his own state record. Newcomer Kim Carter benched 82.5 at a 60kg bodyweight. Master lifter Nick Marinis was looking to avenge Worlds last October and he certainly did. But the big news was Sidney Thoms, with her 142.5 bench press she shattered all her own records. Sidney became only the second women in history to bench over 300 lbs over 50 years old. The celebration afterwards eclipsed the lift itself. Best lifters overall were John Hudson and Sidney Thoms.
The full power sessions were dynamite. The teenage division was top quality lifting. 13-year-old newcomer Juan Silvestre set all new state records in the 56 kg class. His cousins Isaac Levario and Tony Luna also had fine performances. Helped by Uncle and Dad Noel Levario they had no place to go but up!
Wade Leppert out of Waukegan, after an adventurous ride to the weigh-ins had an outstanding day. Another dynasty to look out for is the Lilliebridge brothers and dad. Ernie Sr. coached Ernie Jr. and Eric to another big day for each on Saturday. He then lifted some great weights in the open division on Sunday.
The juniors were almost stronger than the open lifters! Yuri Nikonchuk of the Illini Power Team brought himself all new State and American records. Blake Richards (Illini) won the 82.5’s, but Travis Kaufman (Frantz) had a very creditable day in his very first meet after only a few months training with Ernie Frantz.
The Open division. Each lifter was stronger than the next, Corey Akers (Frantz) opened with a 711 Squat in the 100kg class. Jeff Douglas (Illini) also had a crackerjack day, winning Best Lifter Heavy. However, the stand out of the day was Eric Stone (Frantz). Eric helps me out greatly by keeping the Illinois State website for me. And he’s a strong, strong lifter. Eric used this meet to qualify for Seniors which he did handily. He shattered the American and State records, especially with his 295 squat. He’s been working for that. The huge news is that he broke Ed Coan’s state total record; a record that has been on the books for approximately 20 years. Eric went 8 for 9 for the day – what an accomplishment. But he wasn’t done yet. Eric won Best Lifter Light and was the Best Lifter overall.
Rudy Ruettiger received a lifetime achievement award from Ernie Frantz. Rudy has been around Powerlifting for more than 25 years. This unsung hero has been a National and World Champion several times over. But his greatest gift to the sport is Rudy’s Power Team. Rudy coaches young men to be champions. Every time you see one of Rudy’s boys lift you will see his influence. His lifters are strong, confident competitors with perfect form. That’s Rudy. Another interesting fact is that while Rudy fields his own team, he still competes on the Frantz Power Team. As I’m sure Rudy’s boys will feel a great loyalty to him as the years go by, so Rudy shows his loyalty to Ernie Frantz, who started him out.
Speaking of teams there were three battling for the team trophy: Illini, Rudy & Frantz. With these three you’re looking at the strongest lifters in Illinois. The points were very close. The Illini took 3rd, Rudy’s took 2nd by only one point. The Frantz Team won the team honors.
Special thanks to meet directors Ernie Frantz and Amy Jackson. They put on a top quality meet. Thanks to Amy for helping me at the table she honestly doesn’t know what a big help she is to me. Thank you to the Officials: Bob Kelly, Noel Levario, John Burgard, Eric Stone and Bob Spaulding.
It was a great 2-day event. Everyone had a good time. With 130 lifters it shows that Powerlifting is alive and well in Illinois and will continue to dominate for many years to come.
Maris Anne Sternberg
APF/AAPF Illinois State Chairman