200 lb class at nationals?

[malone]

Who is going in the 200 lb class? Who are the favorites?

[davebeers]

tom mutaffis will be there, he's been training hard and has both static strength and incredible quickness.

[Josh Kamins]

I think Donnie Rhodes will be a big force, and as always Mark Sikora is consistently good at everything

[Tom Mutaffis]

I will be there... some other 200 lbs that I have competed against that should be coming out:

Matt Keller from NJ
Craig Strohmeir from PA
Dane Garrau (spelled that wrong)
Scott Helms from GA
John Albrect
The strong guy in IL everyone talks about
Steve Young from PA (if they let that guy board an air plane)
Elliot something from Florida
Matt Vallo from NY
Lucas Koneke from Graham's crew in MD
Jay Evans from NJ
Tom Kaufman from SC (2005 or 2006 champ, might be 231 now though)

Should be a great contest, Ernest Faukner (3rd last year) is now a 231 lbs and Lucas from MD (1st place last year) I don't believe is competing.

Looking forward to it!

[Tom Mutaffis]

Craig Kruse is the strong guy in Chicago I was talking about... also if AZ has any 200 lbs but I don't think they do.

[MarkSikora]

Man, throwing favorites out there is tough. Most guys/gals only see people compete in their own geographic area.....so you never really know.

That said: all those guys Tom tossed out look good. Looking at Tom's pic (and the Beers shout out) he would have to be a favorite. (Strong AND fast is a deadly combo) Donnie Rhodes I have seen compete before and he is very good. "The guy from Chicago" Tom mentions, I believe, is Craig Kruse.. I have never seen him compete, but reading the logs and checking results, he has to be one of the strongest 200's out there.

My only prediction is this: no broken down 40 year old man from CA will be doing any damage. (at least not at the contest...but after at the bar...maybe) (But thanks for the shout out Josh!!) :LOL: I will be looking to try to at least finish those events.....that crap is heavy for me.

Look forward to seeing everyone and meeting some new people. And remember....try to take it easy on us old guys. :)

see ya

Mark


edit: oops, sorry Tom, you beat me to it

[craig kruse]

I unfortunately won't be going to nationals this year. I hurt my back about 6 weeks ago or so. I have tried training through it to get ready for nationals. I did two contests in September and did absolutely terrible. I think it was a combination of overtraining and the back injury. Time to actually heal up and concentrate on the IL series final in Dec.
Thanks for the props though.

[Gags]

i have seen tom, keller and craig stroh compete and they are darn strong.....and good luck to everyone else going

[Wes Richardson]

Craig Kruse is the strong guy in Chicago I was talking about... also if AZ has any 200 lbs but I don't think they do.

Ya, AZ does but I'm weak

[John Albrecht]

I am looking forward to going against Tom and the other NJ guys. last i saw them they did really well in SC. I owe you guys one! Good Luck, Train hard and stay healthy. See you all there.

J. Albrecht

[Donnie Rhodes]

Thanks for the Shout Out Mark and Josh. I am looking forward to Vegas and will do my best. Regardless of how the day may end I will be sure to drink away any pain, emotional or physical :LOL:

[tom_mcclure]

I know of a couple of CT lightweights that are going to do great! It should be a big surprise to all. I hope to be there to see it live!

[Ryan Lapadat]

does any one know if they have a 200 pound class for Canadian nationals?

I know they had a 231 pound class, but have not found any info for event that weight class for 2007 (last results I could track down were for 2006).

ANy help would be great, thanks, and good luck at your nationals!