Guardsmen seize awards at state meet

  • Published
  • By Spc. Balinda O'Neal
  • 134th Public Affairs Detachment
ANCHORAGE, Alaska --  Four Alaska Army National Guard Soldiers competed in the 2012 Alaska State Powerlifting Championships hosted at Southside Strength & Fitness in Anchorage March 24.

More than 30 lifters from around the state competed for their chance at a "best" title in the three-lift meet. Army Staff Sgt. Larry Martin, 49th Missile Defense Battalion, Army 1st Lt. William Heath, 49th MDB, Pfc. Wayne Vreeland, E Company, 1st Battalion, 207th Aviation Regiment, and Sgt. Joshua Hansen, 49th Missile Defense Battalion, competed in the Men's Open division and were awarded 2nd, 4th, 4th, and 5th place in their weight categories respectively.

The powerlifting competition gave each individual three attempts to lift their maximum weight in squat, bench press and deadlift. Three judges were positioned around the lifter to validate their form.

"The better your form is, the higher your performance and weight will be," said Heath, a first-time competitor. "Developing your form makes everything else come with ease."
In addition to form, one of the Soldiers learned not to max out his weight too early in the competition.

"Work on your form and don't go heavy," Vreeland said. "It's better light and right, than heavy and wrong."

One of the obstacles the new competitors overcame were the USA Powerlifting rules.
"The most challenging part of the competition has been figuring out the rules and fixing all my bad habits," Heath said. "It's a little different than just getting into the gym and doing your own thing, you have to follow lifting guidelines and uniform regulations."
Despite the challenges, the Soldiers had nothing but praise for the competition.

"My favorite part of this whole experience has been working with everyone during training and beating my personal record," Vreeland said. "I'm always striving to get better and improve myself."

Heath also added participating in the powerlifting sport helps keep him in shape and motivated.

"A huge factor in my decision to start lifting was to represent my unit and show them there's so much to do in Alaska besides being inside watching television and playing video games," Heath said. "By trying something new myself, I hope it leads the way for others to follow."