The event was sanctioned by the Metal Militia Powerlifting Federation, with Alex Shaw as the meet director and hosted by the Warren YMCA. Full power is squat, bench press and deadlift. The lifter gets three attempts at each lift and the heaviest lift they get successfully goes towards their meet total. The lifters with the biggest total wins Best Lifter by men’s and women’s, raw or equipped. Equipped means using lifting equipment such as bench shirts and squat suits. Raw typically means just a belt, wrist wraps and knee wraps or sleeves are used.

Best lifters at the meet were Nick Durse for Men’s Equipped, Austin McFarland for Men’s Raw, Sydney Vaughn for Women’s Equipped, and Amber Snavley for Women’s Raw.

“This was Amber’s first meet which is even more impressive,” said Shaw.

There were also awards for division winners and biggest lifts, with the biggest bench at 950 for men and 285 for women. The biggest deadlift was 665 for men and 365 for women. Twenty men and 5 women from ages 17 to 61 represented their skills that day.

Alex Shaw, chapter president of the Metal Militia Powerlifting Federation chapter in Warren, is pictured at the recent powerlifting meet at the Warren YMCA.

The Metal Militia has chapters globally to support the federation. The Warren meet was hosted by the Erie County Metal Militia, in which Shaw is the chapter president. Based out of Warren, the group trains Monday through Friday evenings at the Powerplant, a local gym, and Saturday mornings at the YMCA.

“Anyone is welcome to come train with us whether you are interested in competing or not. There are no requirements, skill level, or certain demographics for this sport. If you want to get stronger in a positive environment with some amazing people, then come see us,” Shaw said.

Shaw said he was pleased with the turnout and plans to have the event again next year around the same time and perhaps additional meets earlier in the year. He thanked Metal Militia members, Carl Seeker, owner of the Powerplant Gym, Chris Dolan and Thad Turner of the Warren YMCA, Rob and Denise of F8 Customs, and the Snell family. For more information, visit the Erie County Metal Militia on Facebook, Instagram or website:

www.metalmilitiapowerlifting.com