Ed Zercher Memorial Strength Classic

Against my better judgement, I plan on entering the Ed Zercher Memorial Strength Classic.  This has a long and storied history and is certainly a brutal line up of compound movements.

Day 1

Deadlift, Heels Together - I plan to open at 245, maybe top out at 275

Hack Lift - I plan to open at 225, maybe top out at 255

Steinborn Lift - I plan to open at 95, maybe hit 115

Zercher Lift - I plan to open at 205, maybe hit 225

Leg Press - This is not a USAWA lift.  It is a Clark's Gym Special.

Deadlift, One Hand - I plan to open at 135, maybe hit 155

Deadlift, One Hand, Thumbless - I plan to open at 135, maybe hit 145

Day 2

Hip Lift - I plan to open at 580 and stop

Harness Lift - I plan to open at 580 and maybe go to 620

Hand & Thigh Lift - I plan to open at 375 and maybe go to 405

Neck Lift - I plan to open at 125 and maybe go to 155

Bench Press, Feet In Air - I  plan to open at 165 and go to maybe 185

I did a little homework after reading Bill's meet summary of the 2022 meet.

Despite being one of the oldest meets (pre-dating the formation of the USAWA), it has not the most widely contested in recent years.  After fizzling out after small turnouts in 2015 and 2016.  It has made a come back in recent years

The events change a little bit from year to year, but always include heavy lifts, Steinborn, Zercher, Hack Lift, and other favorites.

• 2009 - (3) Abe Smith, Joe Garcia, Lewis Heater (all OK)
• 2010 - NA
• 2011 - (1) Joe Garcia (OK)
• 2012 - (6) Joe Garcia, Eric Todd, Chris Anderson, Mike Murdock, Dean Ross, Lance Foster (all OK)
• 2013 - NA
• 2014 - (4) Joe Garcia, David Emslie, Bill Clark, Al Springs (all OK)
• 2015 - (1) Joe Garcia (injured, could not finish)
• 2016 - (2) Joe Garcia, Bill Clark (Bill partial)
• 2017 - NA
• 2018 - NA
• 2019 - NA
• 2020 - NA
• 2021 - NA
• 2022 - (4) Travis Luther, Tony Lupo, Nick Frieders, Janet Thompson (Janet injured)
• 2023 - (6) Dave DeForest, Tony Lupo, Abe Smith, Phillip Marlin, Wyatt Sawyers, Kim VanWagner (all OK)
• 2024 - (7) RJ Jackson, Phillip Marlin, Joe Garcia, Tony Lupo, Toby Ortega, John Carter, Jeff Wenzel (John injured)
• 2025?