BAC Strongmen Wows Spectators
Need your car towed? There are few local men who might be able to help you out.

Spectators at the 2nd annual Strongman Competition hosted by Bay Athletic Club witnessed feats of amazing strength and endurance as athletes participated in such events as towing a semi and lifting a car.

The event, held May 31, featured 12 northeast Michigan men who challenged themselves to push their strength past the standard limits. Last year’s inaugural event saw eight competitors. More than 150 spectators came out to see this year’s expanded participation.

Eric Smith of Cheboygan traveled to Alpena for the event to see what he was capable of accomplishing. He trained with fellow competitor from Cheboygan, John Jeter.

“I’ve never done anything like this before. It sounded like fun and I thought I would try it out to see what I could do so I started training a few months ago. I’m really glad I came to compete. It has been worth it,” said Smith.

The athletes participated in four qualifying events including a farmers walk, log lift, tire flip, and car dead lift; and top finishers went on to compete in two final events including a keg carry and a semi pull. Competitors were broken into two weight categories; over 200 pounds, and under 200 pounds.

For the farmers walk, athletes carried two weighted implements (one in each hand) down and back on a 50’ course as many times as possible. The implements weighed 150 lbs each for the under 200 lb class and 200 lbs each for the over 200 lb class.

For the log lift, both weight classes used the same log (a six feet-long by eight inch in diameter steel pipe with handles), however the weight of the log changed based on the weight class. The over 200 lb weight class lifted 170lbs and the under 200lb weight class will lift 130lbs. Athletes had to try and get as many over head presses as possible in a certain amount time.

The tire flip involved flipping a 500lb tire end over end down a distance course for time.

During the car dead lift, competitors had to lift a 1,800 lb car off its rear tires as many times as possible during a 75 second period.

In the keg carry, each athlete had to carry 5 kegs (each one weighing 135 lbs) from their starting point and place them on top of a platform as quickly as possible.

In the semi pull, strongmen had to pull an 11-ton semi from a parked position down a track as quickly as possible.

“We thank the community for coming out to support this event and the athletes who gave it their all. They really earned the honor to be called northeast Michigan’s strongest men,” said BAC owner Trina Gray.

Those competing in this year’s Strongman Competition include under 200 lb competitors John Wysocki in seventh place, Spence Fletcher in sixth place, John Jeter in fifth place, Kyle Krajniak in fourth place, Paul Werth in third place, David Bronikowski in second place, and Anthony Hoffman in first place; over 200 lb competitors include Eric Smith in fifth place, Chris Lanciano in fourth place, Nate Gagnon in third place, Corey Standen in second place, and Casey Stutzman in first place.

Interested in training like a Strongman? Contact Casey