2001 BIG SKYS STRONGEST MAN CONTEST

NORTHWEST NUTRITION AND Z-100 PRESENT THE

N.S.A.A. SANCTIONED, NATIONAL QUALIFIER

THE FIRST ANNUAL

BIG SKY’S STRONGEST MAN CONTEST

JUNE 16, 2001

MCLEOD PARK, MISSOULA, MONTANA

TO BENEFIT CEREBRAL PALSY

THE 1st BIG SKY STRONGEST MAN
June 16th, 2001
At: The University Of Montana
Missoula, Montana
Reported by: J.V. Askem

Big James Greene hefting a 350 lb log.

THE SPORT OF STRONGMAN IS ROLLING IN THE NORTHWEST!
Promoter James Greene did the sport proud by holding a truly quality meet. For those who were apprehensive to make the drive or fly out to the far west, you really missed out. For a start, the weather was perfect! Mid 70's with nothing but sunshine, and the scenery in western Montana is hard to beat anywhere.

As for the contest, it was a prefect example of "quality over quantity". Of the 14 entries, 12 showed up from 4 U.S. states and 1 Canadian province, and all were treated to one of the most gut wrenching experiences that they would encounter anywhere. And the irony here is, that this was a first SM contest for several contestants.

There were seven events with two divisions, novice and pro. Six pros lined up with James Greene just participating as an extra hand. And the remaining five novices did the same as the pros, but with just lighter implements. The weights used on the implements were VERY heavy. In short, THIS WAS NO TRACK MEET WITH WEIGHTS. In fact, IMO, some of the best international guys would have been slowed on some of these events!

As an example: The best effort on the pro division Truck Pull was only a little over 13 feet! The 40,000 lb crane that was used, was without a doubt, the toughest Truck Pull I've ever witnessed. The winner was veteran strongman Randy Davis from Calgary, and local newcomer Eric Zaveta was second with a little over 11 feet. The novices pulled a much lighter beer delivery truck, which most of the competitors pulled the full 100' course. 
   

The 1 RM Log Lift was the second event, with promoter James Greene showing everyone how it should be done! James lifted 350 lbs with room to spare. In the actual scoring, veteran Mike Kromer won with a 340 lb effort, with Berd Beekman doing 330 for second. Among the novices, local competitor Corey StClair won with 240 lbs.

NOTE:  I apologize for not having the complete scores, but I was kept pretty busy taking photos and coaching my protégé Jesse Marunde, in his first SM contest. Also, I assisted on the seventh event, as the Super Yokes were mine. JVA

PRO Log
Mike Kromer-- 340
Berd Beekman- 330
Grant Higa-------310
Jesse Marunde-300
Randy Davis-----300
Eric Zaveta-------260 

   
Left: Novice winner Corey StClair.
Right: Hawaii's Grant Higa shows a lot of power on The Log

On the pro Stones, five weighing 235, 245, 270, 295, and 300 had to be loaded onto a 58" high platform. Only Randy Davis got all 5 for the win. Among the novices, Corey StClair picked up another win by loading their four mandatory stones weighing 230, 235, 245, and 270.    

The fourth event was a bulky 30 lb Beer Keg Toss for height.
PRO Keg
Berd Beekman---18' (TIE)
Eric Zaveta--------18' (TIE)
Jesse Marunde---16' less attempts taken
Randy Davis-------16'
Mike Kromer------14'
Grant Higa----------12'
NOVICE
Corey StClair-------16'
Dan Zahn-------------15'

The Farmers Walk was two 265 lb cylinders carried 250 feet, 90 seconds time limit. Only Randy Davis finished. The novices carried two 200 lb plate loading handles.
PRO F.W.
Randy Davis--------1:07.7
Jesse Marunde-----244' 1.5"
Berd Beekman------237' 3"
Grant Higa-----------197' 5"
Eric Zaveta-----------133' 11"
Mike Kromer---------85'
NOVICE
Corey St Clair---------43.3 sec.
Dan Zahn---------------52.8
S.J. Taylor-------------1:09.9
 

  
Left: Dan Zahn was 2nd in the novice division, getting set to throw The Keg.
Center: Pro Jesse Marunde making the turn halfway on the Farmers Walk.
Right: 3rd place novice Robert Ward on the Farmers Walk.

The Tire Flip  656 lbs for the pros, 575 lbs for the novices. 90 seconds for 80 feet.
PRO Tire
Randy Davis-----------47.73 sec.
Berd Beekman--------51.13
Jesse Marunde-------1:09.92
Grant Higa-------------1:20.4
Eric Zaveta-------------1:25.53
Mike Kromer----------79'
NOVICE Tire
Corey StClair-----------37.1 sec.
Dan Zahn----------------43.63
S.J. Taylor--------------49.9

The Super Yoke, 800 lbs for the pros, 630 lbs for the novices. 90 seconds for 80 feet. Only Mike Kromer finished the course on time. (Comment: most of the time this event is done at the beginning of a contest. Try carrying 800 lbs on your back after doing six grueling events before!)
PRO Yoke
Mike Kromer-----------1:01.63
Grant Higa---------------59' 11"
Jesse Marunde---------56' 2"
Berd Beekman----------28'
Eric Zaveta---------------16' 4"
Randy Davis-------------15' 2"
NOVICE Yoke
Robert Ward-------------36' 5"
S.J. Taylor----------------15' 10"
Douglas Ward------------15' 9'
Dan Zahn------------------15' 7"
Corey St Clair------------9' 8" 

  
Left: Jesse Marunde flipping The Tire.

Center: In the fore front, on the right, Yoke winner Mike Kromer
faces off against his training partner S.J. Taylor on the left.

Right: An example of how practical my Yokes are!
Two men with just two hand dollies can
easily move around 800 pounders.

PRO TROPHY and MONEY WINNERS
1- Randy Davis, Calgary, Alberta
2- Berd Beekman, Calgary (Tied, but was awarded second on better event placings)
3- Jesse Marunde, Sequim, Washington 

NOVICE TROPHY WINNERS
1. Corey StClair
2. Dan Zahn
3. Robert Ward

THE NOVICE TROPHY WINNERS
Left to right: Robert Ward, Corey StClair, and Dan Zahn

Our illustrious host, James Greene.
GOOD JOB JAMES.

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