Still the Strongest Man I Know

I am long over due to update everyone on Nick's Strongman Contest season.

His big national competition was in Iowa this year, and unfortunately I had to miss it because it was the same weekend as Printers Row.

This was the biggest competition of the year, drawing 50 total competitors from all over the nation, 30 in his weight class.

Here is a recap of the events and how he did:

(Unfortunately some of Nick's buddies took pictures, and we have yet to see any of them!)

EVENT #1 - Press Medley

Nick had to clean and press the following over his head!

a 105 lb kettlebell, a 260 lb 8 inch log, a 290 lb 2 inch axle and a 330 lb 12 in log

He did this in 25 seconds, getting 1st place for this event.

EVENT #2 - Farmers Walk

Nick had to pick up a 325 lb weight implement in each hand and race a straight run of 80 feet head to head with another competitor with a 60 second time limit.

He did this is 15 seconds, getting 3rd place for this event.

EVENT #3 - Yoke Walk

Nick had to pick up an 850 lb yoke and race the straight run of 60 feet head to head with another competitor with a 60 second time limit.

Nick finished the course but said it was REALLY REALLY brutal, finishing 3rd to last.

EVENT #4 - The Deadlift

This deadlift event is a little about strategy. Each competitor chooses their starting weight, with the opportunity to attempt to lift it just once. If they fail, they are done, if they succeed, each person has a chance to lift another heavier chance.

Nick started at 650 lbs, did 750, 800, 850 and 900!!!! Missed the 950 lb. lift.

He placed 3rd in this event, 1 person deadlifted 1,000 pounds!

EVENT #5 - Atlas Stones

Nick had to load 5 stones onto a 48" platform with a 60 second time limit

The stones weighed: 275, 300, 330, 365, and 405 pounds

Usually a tough event for Nick, he popped the first 4 stones right up, but was unable to do the 405.

Overall Nick place 10th in the nation!!!

The yoke was the one event that really tripped him up this year, but besides that he did just amazing. If he would have had more points in that one event, he would have easily been in the top 5. Watching just a bit of a few videos that his friend took, I could totally tell that Nick was competing on a new level.

This weekend, I had the chance to see him compete finally! We drove to St. Anne for a small state competition. Nick WON, broke his own state record for the log press and the Farmers hold. The Keaty family owns another sword :-)

Here are some pictures and a video of Nick doing the stones.

(You can click on the photos to make them bigger)

Nick doing the Atlas Stones, this past weekend

Just missed that last one :-)

I am really proud of Nick. He trains SO hard...and deserves all of the rewards that come to him. He is such a humble competitor and truly talented at what he does. I can't wait to see what is in store for him in the coming year.