Press Release - MD States

Mid-Atlantic Powerlifting

www.midatlanticpowerlifting.com

For Immediate Press Release

Maryland State Powerlifting & Open Bench Press Championships

47 Amateur Maryland men and women strength athletes to compete to be named Maryland State Powerlifting Champion!

11/28/2007. Mid-Atlantic Powerlifting is proud to announce that on December 8, 2007, it will present the 2007 Maryland State Powerlifting and Open Bench Press Championships at the Annapolis Moose Lodge (#296) and Family Center. The Annapolis Moose lodge is providing their facilities as part of their Community Outreach program and is located at 1890 Crownsville Rd, Annapolis, MD 21401.

The sport of Powerlifting is different than its cousin Weightlifting in that it includes the following lifts: Squat, Bench Press and Deadlift. Lifters around the world train in both gyms and at home to compete to be recognized as champions in meets at the local, national and world level. The Maryland State Powerlifting and Open Bench Press Championships is the premier meet of the season in the state of Maryland and is sanctioned through the USA Powerlifting (USAPL) which is the national affiliate of the largest international powerlifting body, the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF). Lifters must have a sanction card to participate in meets sanctioned through the USAPL. The IPF and its affiliates conduct testing for banned and illegal performance enhancing substances under code established by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Testing for banned and illegal substances will be performed at the Maryland State meet on at least 10% of the competitors.

A total of 53 competitors; 47 Men and Women from towns across Maryland, two from Washington, DC, two from New Jersey, one from Pennsylvania and one from Virginia will compete for various awards and recognition. Only those from Maryland and Washington, D.C. are eligible to participate and place in the Powerlifting event while anyone from Maryland and other states may lift in the Bench Press event. The ages of the lifters entered in the meet range from 16 to 65 years old. There are a number of divisions that lifters may compete which include: Junior’s, Open and Masters. At this meet, lifters can qualify to be eligible to compete in meets at the National level.

The program:

7:00 AM- doors open for registration

7:15 AM- weigh-ins open

8:45 AM- weigh-ins close

8:45 AM- rules briefing for lifters and coaches

9:00 AM- opening ceremony

9:15 AM- lifting begins

The meet is expected to last into the late afternoon and will be followed by an awards ceremony. Awards that will be presented include; 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place medals for each weight class. Best lifter awards will be presented for the best light-weight and heavy-weight lifters in each division.

The Earl Bealefeld Award will be presented to the individual(s) who has contributed significantly to the success of powerlifting meets held in Maryland. The individual(s) nominated for this award played an important role by volunteering time and/or contributing materials to ensure quality meets are conducted in Maryland. Earl Bealefeld was a powerlifter who died from cancer. During his career as a powerlifter, he distinguished himself not only on the lifting platform, but also in helping set-up meet sites, running meets and the disassembling the site once the meet had concluded. It is through efforts on the part of individuals like Earl that meets can be successful.

The Old Line Award will be presented to the individual(s) who has greatly contributed to the growth of powerlifting both here in Maryland and at the National/World level. The individual(s) considered for this award upholds high standards on and off the platform and represents what all in Maryland Powerlifting recognizes as honorable and good in the sport. The Old Line Award is taken from the reference Old Line State. "According to some historians, Gen. George Washington bestowed the name "Old Line State" and thereby associated Maryland with its regular line troops, the Maryland Line, who served courageously in many Revolutionary War battles."

It is hoped that those who lift or come watch this meet have a rewarding experience which will be steeped in Maryland lore and good sportsmanship.

Businesses and individuals supporting this meet include:

Annapolis Moose Lodge and Family Center of Annapolis, MD- providing venue and serving food.

APT (Pro Wrist Wraps) of Fredericksburg, VA

The Lucian Company of Bladensburg, MD- providing awards

Elizabeth City Trophies and Awards of Elizabeth City, NC- providing awards

Garage Ink of Shrewsbury, PA- Titan and team apparel

Signs By Tomorrow of Annapolis, MD- signs

Jim Bardsley of Pasadena, MD- equipment

Matt and Sioux-z Gary of Rockville, MD- equipment

Brad Foster of Elkridge, MD- equipment

For more information, go to the following websites: