Fort Huachuca, Az. - Four months of training at Eifler Gym paid off for three Fort Huachuca powerlifters May 4.
Zachary Moss, Eifler Fitness Center lead recreation assistant; retired Master Sgt. Edward Yarbrough, formerly with the U.S. Marine Corps Detachment here; and Victoria Yarbrough, City of Sierra Vista Leisure and Library Services director, competed in the United States Powerlifting Federation's Region 7 Championship meet at Desert Diamond Casino in Tucson.
Moss and both Yarbrough spouses competed in the same event, a full meet, which included the squat, bench press, dead lift and three of their best lifts. Both members of the Yarbrough couple set state, Region 7 and American records in the event. Moss took second place in the 242-pound class.
"It was a great competition, I haven't competed in two and a half years," Victoria said. "I had shoulder surgery just over a year ago, so it was my first competition since the surgery, and I had a great time. I thought it was very well-handled, and I was pleased with what I did."
For Moss, the Tucson meet helped him get into the competitive spirit. He mentioned that in a previous competition, he was the only contender in his weight class.
"It was nice to have some competition and be competitive," he said.
Moss started powerlifting 18 months ago with the Yarbroughs at Eifler Gym. All three trained as raw powerlifters four to five times a week. "Raw" means no supportive equipment is used other than a weight belt. Edward not only competes but coaches. He described the raw category as a "more natural and better indicator of true strength.
"Form and the technical aspects of the lift are very important to prevent injury and to maintain optimal mechanics," he explained. "There are different training considerations to take into account because you don't get any advantage from additional support."
Going from training to competition mode, Edward said how a powerlifter must keep full concentration and start the lift the same way and the right way it is supposed to be executed so the rest falls into place.
"You can tell they definitely have to train hard; it's not something that comes overnight," Jeanna Lee, Eifler Gym facility manager said. Lee attended the meet in Tucson.
The Yarboroughs and Moss compete under the United States Powerlifting Federation. Moss will compete again on June 8 in Phoenix. The Yarbroughs will compete again in September.
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