York Barbell hosts Powerlifting Association Championship

Strongmen from across the Northeast recently gathered at York Barbell to do what they do best — move heavy things.

Ninety-four competitors, from teens to a master lifter well into his 80s, took part in the two-day International Powerlifting Association Championship Nov. 18-19. 

Over the course of the weekend, 45 records were broken, including a world-record squat by Joseph Stein, of Buffalo, New York.

After failing a lift at 970 pounds, the super heavyweight positioned himself under the bar with 1,050 pounds stacked on it. Weighing in at 349.9 pounds himself, the men's junior division lifter performed a perfect squat to the cheers of fellow athletes and spectators.

Local lifters also had a good showing during the event.

Jake McAlpine, a 25-year-old super heavyweight from Lewisberry, placed first in his weight class in the Raw Professional Men's Open division with a 730-pound squat, a 480-pound bench press and a 665-pound dead lift, for a total weight of 1,875 pounds.

Cleason Ebaugh, of York, also took first place in the Raw Amateur Open division with a 580-pound squat, a 430-pound bench press, and a 610-pound dead lift, for a total weight of 1,620 pounds

The IPA and York Barbell will host the Pennsylvania State Championships on March 3-4. Information about the event can be found at www.ipapower.com