To help combat domestic violence and raise awareness of this important issue, the Charles County Sheriff’s Office and the North American Strongman Society hosted the fourth annual Strong Man and Woman Contest August 7 at White Plains Regional Park.
Four weight classes–200 pounds, 231 pounds, 265 pounds and heavyweights– competed in six events. The first event in the competition was the axle press for max weight, which required competitors to raise a weighted truck axle over their heads. The winner for this event was Jeremiah DiRuzzo in the 200 pound class, Adam Keep in the 231 pound class, Jedd Johnson in the 265 pound class and Mark Lehman in the heavyweight class.
The next event was the stone load where competitors had to lift six stones weighting from 235 to 329 pounds from the ground onto barrels standing from 47 inches to 52 inches off the ground. Only two competitors from the 231 pound class-Joe Snarly and Keith Pickey-were able to successfully place all six stones on the barrels. Johnson and Lehman of the 265 pound class and heavyweight class, respectively, were able to also place all six stones on the barrels.
In the third event, the farmers walk and keg carry, competitors must carry 250 pounds in each arm for 20 yards to a cone, turn around, walk back to the starting point and carry a 250 pound keg for 30 feet, all in the fastest time. Kevin Senato won the 200 pound class, Snarely won the 231 pound class and Johnson and Lehman won their respective classes.
The next event was the sandbag carry-yoke walk, where competitors were required to carry a sandbag ranging from 225 to 245 pounds 50 feet, then pick-up and carry a 640 to 770 pound yoke back. Winners were Rob Lemerise in the 200 pound class, Graham Bartholomew in the 231 pound class, Dan Cenidoza in the 265 pound class and Lehman in the heavyweight class.
The tire flip was the next competition and required competitors to flip a 680 pound tire. Winners included Senato in the 200 pound class, Bartholomew in the 231 pound class, Cenidoza in the 265 pound class and Lehman in the heavyweight class.
The last competition was Conan’s Wheel where competitors were required to walk between 525 to 625 pounds in a circle, approximately 80 feet. Winners included Senato in the 200 pound class, Keep in the 231 pound class, Johnson in the 265 pound class and Lehman in the heavyweight class.
The Charles County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the following citizens and businesses that contributed to the success of this event: Graham Bartholomew, Fern Brown, Debbie Leibold, Rosemary Raiman, Janet Barger, Maurio Cole, R. Scott Frisina, Jacqueline Rose, Kimmy Rieman, Mike Kaylor, Lorraine Yanes, Isabel Bartholomew, Wardell Sewell, Bruce Lanthier, Carrie Lanthier, Mike Sansalone, Steven Brooks, Alan Jaworski, Will Alexander, Paul Schuh, Heruy Dawit, Tom Shannon, Red Hot & Blue, Einstein Bros’ Bagels, Red Lobster, Captain Billy’s Crab House, Outback Steak House, Golden Coral, Old Country Buffet, Sam’s Club, Center for Abused Persons, Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative, County First Bank, Mr. Tire, Bank of Southern Maryland, Chaney Enterprises, UTZ Foods, Giant Food, Wal-Mart, Food Lion, Safeway and AAMCO Transmissions.