Winning Big in the 603

On the last day of April, the LeBlancs and the LaPilas traveled to Moultonborough, New Hampshire to compete in the Northeast Championship Powerlifting Competition.  Although Lee and Brian were the only members from their gym to compete, by the time the meet was over, everyone there felt the presence of The Refuge.  Lee competed Full Power - his numbers from squat, dead lift and bench press were added together for a final score.  This was his first time competing Full Power and at this meet, they did not break out the raw lifters from the geared lifters in the Full Power competition, which means that Lee literally had no chance to win.  But he did anyway.  He came away with 1st place in his weight class and best Full Power lifter of the meet - a tremendous accomplishment, given not only the odds against him, but also given the fact that it was his first time competing Full Power.  Brian also did amazingly well, benching 530 lbs raw, which was a new PR and inched him ever closer to 10th in the country for his weight class.  Brian won his weight class for bench and won best raw bencher.  Only one other lifter benched more weight (20 pounds more), and that lifter weighed more and lifted equipped.
I can't really begin to explain the significance of Lee and Brian, two of very few raw lifters at the meet, pulling such huge numbers.  It was a huge boost for them and it also had a big impact at the meet.  Let's just say that by the time the meet was over, EVERYONE there knew their names!  Below are some shots from the meet and the meet video that I made:

Lee wrapping his knees before his first squat attempt. 

Big fan! 

Brian and Cassie 

Brian, final attempt. 

Down time. 

The LaPilas and the LeBlancs