“NORTHWEST IOWA OPEN” BENCHPRESS CLASSIC TO BE HELD AT SMITH WELLNESS CENTER

Saturday March 29th at 10:00 am is the date to remember for the upcoming, 6th annual, “Northwest Iowa Open” Benchpress Classic.

This year’s event will again be hosted by the Smith Wellness Center on the Campus of Iowa Lakes Community College in Emmetsburg. It will take place in the gymnasium, and the public is more than welcome to attend.

Meet Director Dennis Goeders said the competition has really taken off since its beginning in 2002. The meet has featured area high school students, along with local, state and out of state competitors. The audience will see many lifts in the 300-400 pound range. A special guest in the past has been Joe Thompson of Fort Dodge, who has broken his own world record at this meet with a lift of 625 pounds.

Appearing this year will be Jimmy Nichols of Bronson, Kansas. Nichols is a two-time Kansas State Strongman Champion. He will be competing in the heavyweight class and should be in excess of a 500 pound benchpress.

The special guest this year will be Leonard Willison of Cedar Falls. This will be Willisons first meet after a year off due to injury. Willison is a six-time Regional, seven-time State, and nine-time National champion. He holds three American records in the bench press, and one American record in the push/pull. Willison has his sights on a 700 pound benchpress once he completely heals.

Anyone who would like to register for the event can contact Angie Roethler at the Smith Wellness Center in Emmetsburg at 712-852-5311. There will be a $1.00 cover charge at the door to help defray costs. We hope to see you at what promises to be another very exciting event.