Feats of strength will again be displayed March 22 at 8 a.m. when 3rd Battalion, 6th Air Defense Artillery presents its second annual March Mayhem Power Lifting Competition at Rinehart Fitness Center.
Soldiers and men and women from local communities will compete in four weight classes in squat, dead lift and bench press lifts.
Shaun Lott, who has lifted weights for almost 10 years and competed in a few powerlifting tourneys, said the competition is also a great spectator sport.
"This event is not just for serious lifters; it is another way to promote fitness, esprit de corps and build community relations," said the lieutenant colonel who commands 3-6th ADA. "We have surpassed the number of contestants from last year so it should be an outstanding event."
Like the combined inputs of exercise, diet and rest add layers of muscle to a lifter's physique, Lott said the competition has morphed adding a fitness expo, furthering the ideals of the Healthy Base Initiative.
"We will have representatives from Reynolds Army Community Hospital's Wellness Center manning information booths to discuss topics such as metabolic, body fat and fitness testing, and provide educational materials about portion sizes, calorie content, nutrition, diet and smoking cessation," said Lott.
As for his own understanding of the benefits of weight lifting, the fit and trim colonel cited studies that suggest weight lifting helps prevent or reduce obesity, create stronger muscle fibers and increase participants' power and speed.
For aspiring plateheads or just people in general intent more on competition, Lott said the event should prove entertaining.
"You can expect to see a first-class power lifting competition featuring motivated lifters," he explained. "We will have the music pumping, and that helps everyone get fired up.
"It's us humans against the weights!"
Ray Ortiz, a Natural Athlete Strength Association champion and Lawton native, will return and serve as head judge ensuring lifts are performed correctly. A police officer at Cameron University, Ortiz has lifted and competed for more than 30 years and won many national, international and World Cup championships.
"It is an honor to be able to help with the troops, and to be able to give back any knowledge I have acquired during my career in power lifting," he said.
Robert Puccino and Coby Carden will also return and help judge. Both carry extensive resumes in power lifting with multiple championships, too.
Lott praised Shane Dunlevy, Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (FMWR) community recreation chief, for his assistance in creating the event. Aside from Dunlevy's oversight, the remaining brain power came from within the battalion.
"First Lieutenant Jesse Castillo, one of my executive officers, worked tirelessly to develop the competition plan and coordinate with external agencies to make this event better than last year," said Lott, who added Castillo, along with FMWR support, handled marketing aids; trophy, medallion and T-shirt designs.
Men will compete either as bantamweight, greater than 165 pounds; middleweights, 166-205 pounds; cruiserweights, 206-250 pounds or heavyweights, 251 pounds and above. for the male division. Women's weight classes are bantamweight, up to 120 pounds; middleweights, 121-155 pounds; cruiserweights, 155-200 pounds; and heavyweights, 200 and above. Trophies will be presented to the overall male and female; first, second and third place. First through third place contestants for each weight class will receive medals.
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