This past Saturday 100+ strength athletes competed in the Massenomics Lift Hard Live Easy Classic III in Aberdeen, South Dakota.
Aberdeen, SD – The Best Western Ramkota Event Center in Aberdeen, South Dakota, was packed with spectators and strength competitors on Saturday as Massenomics, the popular strength focused podcast hosted by Tommy DeFea and Tanner Baird, presented the “Massenomics Lift Hard Live Easy Classic III.”
“What started as a small powerlifting meet in 2023 has turned into a powerlifting and strongman comp with over 120 competitors from more than 25 states and Canada.” Said Massenomics co-host Tommy DeFea. “It’s been amazing seeing the positive reception from the athletes, spectators and supporters that participate each year… One of the coolest parts of the weekend is how strangers can show up not knowing anyone and by the time the weekend is over they feel like they have a whole new group of best friends.”
Powerlifting Highlights
The powerlifting portion of the meet was directed by David and Katie Stensland of Stensland Powerlifting. Powerlifting consists of Squat, Bench, and Deadlift (SBD) and showcased both seasoned lifters and more than a dozen first time competitors. The meet was ran quickly with lifters aided by the Minnesota Department of Lifter Safety. A lifting/spotting team that takes pride in being ‘Safe, precise, and fast.’
In the Women’s divisions:
- Stormi Holcomb won overall best female lifter. “Best female lifter was honestly a big surprise.” said Stormi. “I’ve been nursing an injury for the past few weeks, and wasn’t really sure how this meet would go. The atmosphere of the meet and all the other lifters were so great that I was able to shake off the nerves and put up some good numbers.” She lifted a 870.83lb total in the 67.5kg W40-49.
- Samantha Scardino took first place in the 75 kilo class with a total of 372.5kg/821.22lb.
- Michelle Romans secured the top spot in the 82.5 kilo class, achieving a 365kg/804.7lb total.
- Megan Ulrich dominated the 110+ kilo class with a total of 377.5kg/832.25lb.
Notable performances in the Men’s Open categories included:
- Matthias Cash won overall best male lifter second year in a row. He lifted in the 75 kilo class with a remarkable total of 722.5kg/1592.84lb. Matthias had nothing but positive things to say about the event. “The LHLE is unlike any other powerlifting meet. It’s where incredible people push you to be your best while still having a blast. Huge props to Tanner and Tommy for building such an amazing powerlifting community, and to my wife for supporting me through prep. See you next year!”
- Thomas Swartout claimed first in the 82.5 kilo class, totaling 710kg/1565.28lb.
- Saul Cruz earned the top spot in the 100 kilo class with an impressive 732.5kg/1614.9lb total.
- Tommy Schneider delivered an outstanding performance in the 110 kilo class, totaling 777.5kg/1714.1lb.
- Louis Nutter led the 125 kilo class with a 770kg/1697.56lb total.
- Jeremy Norwood secured first place in the 140 kilo class with a massive 832.5kg/1835.35lb total.
- In the 140+ kilo Sleeves Open SBD Devin Lawrimore took first with a 547.5kg/1207.03lb total.
The competition also highlighted incredible talent in junior and master divisions, with lifters like eleven year old Bailey Lawimore lifting 369.27lb, Milynn Lucey (Women’s 67.5 kilo Sleeves J20-23 SBD, 330kg/727.53lb total) and Larry Schuck (Men’s 110 kilo Sleeves M45-49 SBD, 732.5kg/1614.9lb total).
Michael Poort delivered a spectacular performance in the 100kg Unlimited Bench division, successfully benching over 727 lbs.
Strongman Showdown
The strongman portion of the event, directed by Jake and Abby Heidenreich, featured challenging events designed to test overall strength and athleticism of the competitors. Competitors tackled events:
- Axle Clean and Press for Reps
- Deadlift Medley – Jefferson, Sumo, and conventional for reps.
- Mystery Carry Medley which featured a horse stall mat drag and weighted kegs carry into a giant drink spotter.
- Sandbag Over Bar
“After competing in both Powerlifting and now Strongman at LHLE(Lift Hard Live Easy), I can confidently say that the Stenslands and Heidenreichs are unmatched when it comes to putting on amazing events. Smooth, efficient, fast paced, and extremely fun.” says third time competitor ‘Big Jen’ Veenstra of Iowa. “Massenomics has built a community of lifters that make this event special, it’s like lifting with your closest friends and family and I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
The strongman results:
- Big Women (One Class) – Katie Moorhead took first place with 16 points.
- Big But New – Ron Nicholas took first place with 20.5 points
- Bigger Men (270-) Loren Koehler took first place with 17.5 points
- Biggest Men (+) – Austin Barrett took first place with 11 points
- Big Men (-220) – James Ronyak took first place with 25 points
Toby Speas and Alan Larson tied for 2nd place; so in strongman fashion, they had a tie breaking an event of a horse stall mat hold. Both men held on strong but Alan held on longer and won the tie breaker.
After awards for both powerlifting and strongman, special awards were given out by Tanner and Tommy:
- Silliest Goose – Paul Foss
- Strongest Couple – Cody and Scarlett Hoffman
- Strongest Volunteer – Garrett Clendening
- This Is My First Rodeo – Jennilee Phillips
- The Randy Award (highest deadlift/bench ratio) – Daniel Tarnasky
The “Massenomics Lift Hard Live Easy Classic” continues to grow, attracting top talent and enthusiastic crowds, solidifying its place as a premier strength event in the region.
“The special sauce for the Lift Hard Live Easy Classic goes way beyond the lifting of heavy weights.” Said Massenomics coh-host Tanner Baird. “The people that make up this event are everything. A lot of organizations like to use words like culture and community, but we’ve really got it. Massenomics just provides the framework, everyone else involved turns it into the special event that it has become.”
