BLACKSBURG, Va., Oct. 27, 2004 – Virginia Tech Recreational Sports Fitness Department is hosting its Fourth Annual Bench Press Competition sponsored by GNC and MET-Rx on Saturday, Nov. 6 on the Virginia Tech campus in 125 War Memorial Hall.
During last year's Bench Press Competition, the crowd went wild when Michael J. Smith yelled and told his wife to slap him across the face to "pump him up." She hit him three times and he then proceeded to bench press 615 pounds, so much weight that the bar bent under the stress. Smith completed the lift and went on to be the overall winner for the second year in a row.
Early registration fees are available until 5p.m. Friday, Oct. 29. Early registration fees are $15 for Virginia Tech students, $20 for Virginia Tech faculty and staff, and $25 for all other participants. Late registration fees are $20 for Virginia Tech students, $25 for Virginia Tech faculty and staff, and $30 for all other participants. To compete in a second division, add $10 to the registration fee.
Awards will be given for best overall male and female as well as first through third place for each weight class. There are three weight divisions: Ladies Open, Men's Open, and Men's Raw Division. Ladies Open includes three weight classes: 122 pounds and below; 122.25 pounds to 140 pounds; and, 140.25 pounds and above. The Men's Open has six weight classes: 148 pounds and below; 148.25 to 165 pounds; 165.25 to 181 pounds; 181.25 to 198 pounds; 198.25 to 220 pounds; and, 220.25 pounds and above. The Men's Raw Division has three weight classes: 165 pounds and below; 165.25 to 198 pounds; and, 198.25 pounds and above.
Early weigh-in will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 5 in 135A War Memorial Hall. On Saturday, Nov. 6, weigh-in begins at 7 a.m. and ends at 9:30a.m. Rule briefing starts at 9 a.m. with warm-up following, and the Bench Press Competition kicks off at 9:30 a.m.
Directions: From 81 take exit 118B and follow signs to Virginia Tech. Turn right onto Duckpond Drive and right onto Washington Street, then left onto West Campus Drive. Prices Hall lot is on the right at the corner of Drillfield Drive and West Campus. Participants and/or spectators can park in any of the Faculty/Staff (F/S) spots along Drillfield Drive, or follow the Drillfield, passing War Memorial on the right and turn right after the Library at Alumni Mall and park in any of the meter or F/S spots on either side of the road. Participants and/or spectators can park in any faculty/staff or commuter parking spaces unless it says 24 hrs enforced.
For more information please call the Recreational Sports Fitness Coordinator Ali Arner at (540) 231-2543 or visit http://www.recsports.vt.edu/ for registration forms and Bench Press training tips.
Founded in 1872 as a land-grant college, Virginia Tech has grown to become among the largest universities in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Today, Virginia Tech's eight colleges are dedicated to putting knowledge to work through teaching, research, and outreach activities and to fulfilling its vision to be among the top research universities in the nation. At its 2,600-acre main campus located in Blacksburg and other campus centers in Northern Virginia, Southwest Virginia, Hampton Roads, Richmond, and Roanoke, Virginia Tech enrolls more than 28,000 full- and part-time undergraduate and graduate students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries in 180 academic degree programs.