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Re: Jason, how is the USAPL going to clean up

Posted By: Disa Hatfield
Date: Thursday, 17 November 2005, at 9:06 p.m.

In Response To: Jason, how is the USAPL going to clean up (George Phipps)

George,

I have lifted in the past 4 USAPL women's nationals, and I can tell you the atmosphere has never been bad, IMO. I have heard others complain about it, but strangely, I have never seen these people hanging out in the hotel lobby as many of do the night before we lift, and certainly not out after they lift. The very few instances in which a lifter at nationals has had unfavorable things to say about us definately helped to create that bad situation. I have always had a great time at nationals, no matter what I placed, and I have made new friends every year I have gone.

I am sure there are isolated incidents out there of someone getting the cold shoulder or "politics" as it has been called, however, I can assure you that it is no more than in any other federation. I have lifted in 2 other feds, and I have had lifting partners in the past that were die-hard APF lifters. Trust me, there are politics in all feds. The politics are sometimes of a different nature, but there are always politics. And, for some reason, our dirty laundry gets aired a lot more frequently on the internet tham the other feds. Incidentally, my old lifting partners had the same opinion and heard the same stories as you about the USAPL, but yet until I started lifting with them, not one of them had actually BEEN to a USAPL meet.

Take what Jason said about the judging to heart, here in New England we go by the book. However, we have had cross-over lifters at our local meets and I haven't heard that they thought our judging was over the top. I think most would agree that our local meets are well run, and the lifters all suport each other. We have had lifters come to our meets with no handler, but I have never seen anyone lack for help in the warm-up room or on the platform- we are all there to help each other out. We are also pleased that our high-school lifters are increasing in number. We have run a high-school only meet two years now, and it had almost double the competitors last year.

You are absolutely right about the USAPL having more competition for women. Last year there were over 120 women competing, from ages 12 to 67. It was a fabulous meet, very well run, and the young teenagers and juniors actually outnumbered us open lifters.

My advice to you is to contact your state rep or another USAPL athlete in your area and ask questions. Perhaps the local feel of meets is different in other parts of the coutry (I can only speak for New England, Cali, and National meets.) Myself, and the other members on this board are also great resources if you have more reservations or questions.

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