THE SOUTHERN OPEN
          AUGUST 8TH

    ​

THE 2026 SOUTHERN OPEN: The 2026 Southern Open was held on August 8th at the Jarvisburg Church of Christ.  Thanks to all the lifters, spotters, loaders, judges and to our meet director Geene Berry.  

 ​​

2026 SOUTHERN OPEN WRITE UP:  ​    ​

   (105):  The 105 class saw three different champions.  Winning the full meet was Spencer, taking first in the curl and best dressed was Jaelynn Berge and taking first in the bench was multiple national and world champion, Karen Poyner.  

​

    (132):  WOW:  Anna Bruce came to us from DC and she put on quite a show.  Anna would curl 88 pounds to win her first Southern Open title AND Anna would bench 149 pounds to win her first Southern Open title.  Hopefully we see Anna at the world championships, as she's a serious threat to bring home a world title.  ​​

​​

    (148):  Isac Reedy is fresh off winning a national title in the bench and the curl so it should be no surprise that Isac had no trouble winning his first Southern Open Isac bench, curl AND powerlifting state title.  

​

    (165):  Ben Zak moved up a weight class where he would capture his fifth Southern Open powerlifting title, his fifth Southern Open curl title and his fourth Southern Open bench title.  

​​​

    (181):  Jesse Dayhoff was a lot of fun to talk to at the Southern Open.  Jesse felt he had a little left in the tank at his last meet, so he was a little more aggressive with his attempts this time and it paid off.  Jesse would win his first Southern Open powerlifting title, and Jesse would win his first Southern Open curl title.  Taking first in the powerlifting division was my very strong training partner, Sylus Pelszynski.  

​​

      (198):  At 198 Parish Howell put up a HUGE 1,334 pound total which easily won Parish his first Southern Open powerlifting title.  Parish would also take first in the bench.  In the curl it was teenage legend, Madison Berry who would take first place.  

​​​

      (220):  We will start with the curl as 9x world champion John Cooper curled 212 pounds to earn John his eleventh Southern Open curl title; no other lifter has more than five.  John rarely benches, but recently he's put some time into the bench press, and it paid off with a personal record 364 pounds which earned John his first Southern Open bench title.  Winning the powerlifting title with a sold 1,207 pound total was Christopher Williams.

​

      (242):  The moment you see Rickie Dozier entered in your weight class you know that you are in trouble.  Rickie curled 203 pounds and then benched 546 pounds which means that Rickie is your Southern Open champion in the curl AND the bench; as if there was ever a doubt.  Great job Rickie.  

​​

     (275):  Tyler Dennison is new to training at JCC, but I can tell you he put a lot of time, effort and extra sets into his training and it paid off with Tyler winning his first Southern Open powerlifting title.  In the bench Austin Beasley has been hitting huge numbers in training and it paid off with a massive 463 bench in Austin's first meet!!!  Austin easily won the Southern Open bench title.  In the curl it was the always popular and fun Steve Kozlowski who would win his second Southern Open curl title.  

 ​

​      (275+):  Raymond Classing has been dealing with injuries for almost as long as I have known him; Raymond's injuries are serious and have required surgery; these are the type of injuries that end most lifting careers.  Not Raymond.  Raymond came back, competed in the full meet AND not only won, but Raymond would become the first powerlifting to win six Southern Open powerlifting titles.  Great job Raymond.  In the bench Raymond and Jonathon Nicholson went back and forth; in the end both ended with a 325 pound bench.  The tie breaker, Raymond hit 325 on a fourth attempt which doesn't count for placing and Raymond was the heavier lifter which means that Jonathon is your 2026 Southern Open bench champion!!!  Great battle!!!    

​

       (WOMEN):  I always like to recognize the top 3 women by K formula.  Only one lady lifter placed in the top three in all three events and that lifter was Madison Berry.  This was Madison's fourth time making the top three in the curl and in powerlifting, this was the fifth time Madison made the top three in the bench.

     Only one lifter made the list in two categories and that lifter was Anna Bruce who placed in the top three for the bench and the curl; this was Anna's first time on both lists.

     Finally, we had the lifters who made the list in one category.  Those lifters are Karen Poyner who made the list for the first time in the bench, Rachel Lincoln who made the list for the first time in powerlifting, Jennifer Zak who made the list for the second time in powerlifting and Allison Freeman who made the list for the fourth time in the curl.  Great job ladies.  

 ​

MOST TITLES: Who has posted the top lifts in their weight class the most times at the Southern Open?   Here are your answers.  Minimum 5 titles.   

​

FULL MEET (5+)

(#1) (6) Raymond Classing

(#2) (5) John Ammons

(#2) (5) M. Grace Taylor

(#2) (5) Ben Zak

​​

BENCH (5+)

(#1) (6) Mackenzie Grace Taylor

(#2) (5) Ashley Christiansen

(#2) (5) John Ammons

(#2) (5) Madison Berry

​​​​

CURL (5+)

(#1) (10) John Cooper

(#2) (05) Ben Zak

​ 

​​

PAST CHAMPIONS

​

FULL MEET​

​

105

2026   (209) Spencer (1)

2023   (419) J .Skinner (1)

2022   (386) S. Corridean (1) 

2021   (295) G. Bushee (1) 

2020   (391) A. Christiansen (3)

2019   (380) A. Christiansen (2)

2018   (364) B. Zak (1)

2017   (343) A. Christiansen (1)

​

​

114

2025   (639) A. Freeman (1)

2024   (838) C. Kincaid (1)

2019   (402) B. Zak (2)

2017   (308) A. Zak (1)

2016   (584) J. Ammons (2) 

2015   (507) J. Ammons (1)

2014   (529) G. Enderson (2)

2013   (402) G. Enderson (1)

​

123

2024   (502)    V. Martinez (1)

2022   (700)    J. Ammons (5)

2020   (508)    D. Fazio (1)

2018   (354)    A. Zak (2)

2017   (594)    M. Mandoza (1)

2016   (1,009) B. Coleman (2)

2015   (1,020) B. Coleman (1)

2014   (579)    J. Newbern (2)

2013   (524)    J. Newbern (1)

​

132

2025   (860) G. Teeter (1)

2024   (660) C. Friend (1)

2023   (518) J. Zak (1)

2021   (743) J. Ammons (4)

2020   (689) J. Ammons (3)

2017   (735) K. Smith (1)

2016   (446) K. Naegel (1)

2013   (446) S. Natole (1)

​

148  

2026   (832)    I. Reedy (1)

2025   (1,031) B. Zak (4)

2024   (965)    B. Zak (3)

2023   (920)    B. Zak (2)

2022   (739)    B. Zak (1)

2021   (677)    Ea. Binkley (1)

2019   (568)    S. Pridgen (1)

2018   (711)    L. Bailey (2)

2017   (678)    L. Bailey (1)

2016   (1,324) L. Jones (2)

2015   (1.097) L. Jones (1)

2014   (788)   A. Webb (1)

2013   (799)   R. Melton (1)

​

165

2026   (1,025) B. Zak (5)

2025   (965)    J. Permelia (2)

2024   (1,158) C. Jernigan (1)

2023   (1,091) Et. Binkley (2)

2022   (894)    Ea Binkley (2)

2021   (915)    Et. Binkley (1)

2020   (777)    D. Klienschuster (1)

2019   (1,075) K. Outland (1)

2017   (1,342) A. Osborne(1)

2016   (1,256) B. Stoner (1)

2015   (1,080) D. Minella (1) 

2014   (838)    N. Diaz (1)

2013   (1,009) D. Thomas (1)

​

181

2026   (970) S. Pelsysnki (1)

2025   (1,180)  Ea. Binckley (3) 

2024   (937)    J. Permelia (1)

2023   (728)    D. Fazio (1)

2022   (1,107) J. Szczepanski (1)

2021   (1,152) S.Turlington (1)

2020   (1,064) D. Booth (1) 

2017   (1,210) J. Gonzales (1)

2015   (947)    E. Bert (1)

2014   (1,339) B. Petit (1)

2013   (1,129) B. McIntyre (1)

​

198

2026   (1,334) P. Howell (1)

2025   (1,100) M. Grace Taylor (1)

2023   (1,074) C. Druyor (1)

2022   (1,196) C. Eaves (1)

2021   (0,765) P. McMillian (1)

2018   (1,190) B. McIntyre (4)

2017   (1,243) J. Cue (1)

2016   (1,168) B. Callahan (1)

2015   (1,262) B. McIntyre (3)

2014   (1,241) B. McIntyre (2)

2013   (1,042) R. Berry (1)

​

220

2026   (1,207) C. Williams (1)

2024   (1,427) N. Grady (1)

2021   (1,102) T. Napisa (2)

2020   (1,124) T. Napisa (1)

2017   (965)    D. Zavadil (1)

2016   (1,223) D. Beishl III (1)

2015   (1,466) N. Hammer (1) 

2014   (1,064) J. Barrow (1)

2013   (1,118) A. Stone  (1)

​

242

2025   (1,196) A. Brown (1)

2024   (689)    R. Martinez (1)    

2023   (1,246) C. Greene (1)

2022   (1,279) A. Stone (2)

2019   (1,080) T. Huffman (1)

2018   (1,064) F. Ferchland (1)

2017   (998)    G. Smith (1)

2015   (1,444) D. Daniels (1)

2014   (882)    I. Brooks (1)

2013   (1,257) N. Givans (1)

​

275

2026   (914)    T. Dennison (1)

2021   (1,659) T. Matthews (1)

2020   (1,565) K. Combs (2) 

2019   (948)    R. Classing (5)

2017   (1,188) T. Whitehurst (1)

2016   (1,295) G. Berry (1)

2015   (1,218) R. Classing (2)

2014   (1,378) K. Combs (1)

​

275+  

2026   (1,053) R. Classing (6)

2025   (1,648) M. Slate (1)

2024   (1,571) D. Corridean (4)

2023   (1,538) D. Corridean (3)

2022   (1,610) D. Corridean (2)

2020   (1,626) D. Corridean (1)

2017   (1,211) R. Classing (4)

2016   (1,213) R. Classing (3)

2014   (1,273) R. Classing (1)

2013   (1,350) R. Biggs (1) 

​

TOP BENCH

105

2026   (105) K. Poyner (1)

2025   (056) Spencer (1)

2023   (083) J. Skinner (2)

2022   (083) Z. Sorey (1) 

2021   (057) J. Skinner (1)

2020   (110) A. Christiansen (5)

2019   (099) A. Christiansen (4)

2018   (090) A. Christiansen (3) 

2017   (095) A. Christiansen (2)

2016   (099) A. Christiansen (1)

2015   (121) J. Ammons (1)

2014   (088) E. Zeutschel (1) 

2013   (072) S. Brickhouse (1)

​

114

2025   (132) A. Freeman (1)

2024   (182) C. Kincaid (1)

2019   (082) B. Zak (1)

2018   (066) M. Grace Taylor (1)

2017   (055) A. Zak (1)

2016   (115) J. Ammons (2)

2015   (106) J. Scales (1) 

2014   (105) G. Enderson (1) 

2013   (088) G. Enderson

​

123

2024   (106) V. Martinez (1)

2022   (154) J. Ammons (5)

2020   (105) M. Grace Taylor (2)

2018   (066) A. Zak (2)

2017   (137) M. Mandozea (1)

2016   (275) B. Coleman (2)

2015   (275) B. Coleman (1)

2014   (127) J. Newbern (1) 

2013   (094) S. Natole (1) 

​

132     

2025    (222) G. Teeter (1)

2024    (154) C. Friend (1)

2023    (121) J. Zak (1)

2021    (149) J. Ammons (4)

2020    (154) J. Ammons (3)

2018    (154) C. Reynolds (1)

2017    (187) K. Smith (1) 

2016    (104) K. Naegal (1)

​

148

2026   (243) I. Reedy (1)

2025   (255) B. Zak (3)

2024   (248) B. Zak (2)

2023   (237) B. Zak (1)

2022   (265) C. Basset (1)

2021   (154) Ea. Binkley (1) 

2019   (121) S. Pridgen (1)

2018   (154) L. Bailey (2)

2017   (148) L. Bailey (1)

2016   (343) L. Jones (2)

2015   (303) L. Jones (1)

2014   (182) D. Doughten (1) 

2013   (214) R. Melton (1)

​

165

2026   (254) B. Zak (4)

2025   (243) T. Garris (1)

2024   (309) C. Jernigan (1)

2023   (276) Et Binkley (2)

2022   (177) Ea Binkley (2)

2021   (248) Et . Binkley (1)

2020   (248) D. Klienschuster (1)

2019   (303) K. Outland (2)

2017   (319) K. Osbourne (1)

2016   (303) K. Outland (1)

2015   (320) N. Nantambu (1)

2014   (188) J. Midyette (1)

2013   (204) B. Petit (1)

​

181

2026   (259) J. Dayhoff (1)

2025   (276) J. Wong (1)

2024   (430) I. Burnett (1)

2023   (149) D. Fazio (1)

2022   (243) J. Szczepanski (1)

2021   (292) S. Turlington (1)

2020   (248) D. Booth (1) 

2018   (380) K. McMurrin (1)

2017   (308) J. Gonzales (1) 

2016   (253) J. Sanders III (1)

2015   (375) S. Poythress (1)

2014   (275) B. Petit (2)

2013   (325) E. Tipton (1)

​

198

2026   (320) P. Howell

2025   (248) B. Capps (1)

2024   (440) R. Terrel (1)

2023   (259) C. Druyor (1)

2022   (275) C. Eaves (1)

2021   (320) J. Cooper (1)

2018   (347) R. Elbert (1)

2017   (485) M. Dudley (2)

2016   (402) S. Poythress (2)

2015   (320) B. McIntyre (2)

2014   (330) B. McIntyre (1)

2013   (330) R. Berry (1)

​​

220

2026   (364) J. Cooper (1)

2025   (265) G. Berry (1)

2024   (413) J. Jones (1)

2023   (325) K. Hutchinsin (1)

2021   (287) T. Napisa (3)

2020   (287) T. Napisa (2)

2019   (274) T. Napisa (1)

2018   (099) L. Irwin (1) 

2017   (192) D. Zavadil (1)

2016   (330) M. Naegal (1)

2015   (507) M. Dudley (1)

2014   (292) J. Barrow (1)

2013   (270) A. Stone (1) 

​

242    

2026   (546) R. Dozier (1)

2025   (314) S. Kozlowski (2) 

2024   (143) R. Martinez (1)

2023   (259) C. Greene (1)

2022   (320) A. Stone (2)

2019   (314) T. Huffman (1) 

2018   (314) F. Ferchland (1)

2017   (319) G. Smith (1)

2016   (385) J. Rascoe (1)

2015   (386) K. Combs (2) 

2014   (243) I. Brooks (1)

2013   (253) N. Givans (1) 

​

275

2026   (463) A. Beasley (1)

2024   (386) S. Kozlowski (1)

2023   (276) B. Rhodes (2)

2022   (270) B. Rhodes (1) 

2021   (342) T. Matthews (1)

2020   (364) K. Combs (3)

2019   (363) R. Classing (4)

2017   (380) T. Whitehurst (1)

2016   (425) C. Elliott (1)

2015   (386) R. Classings (2)

2014   (358) K. Combs (1)

​

275+  

2026   (325) J. Nicholson (1)

2025   (435) M. Slate (1) 

2024   (375) D. Corridean (3)

2023   (380) R. Classings (4)

2022   (386) D. Corridean (2) 

2020   (380) D. Corridean (1)

2017   (369) R. Classings (3)

2016   (236) J. Markle (1)

2015   (204) J. Garza (1)

2014   (414) R. Classing (1)

2013   (375) R. Biggs (1)

​

TOP CURL

​

105

2026   (20) J. Berge (1)

2022   (44) G. Bushee (1)

2021   (45) C. Cooper (1)

2020   (75) A. Christiansen (4)

2019   (64) A. Christiansen (3)

2018   (66) A. Christiansen (2)

2017   (66) A. Christiansen (1)

​

114

2025   (84) A. Freeman (2)

2019   (53) B. Zak (1)

2017   (40) A. Zak (1)

2016   (88) J. Ammons (1)

2015   (28) M. Grace Taylor (1)

​

123

2024   (055) J. Skinner (1)

2022   (103) J. Ammons (4)

2020   (061) B. Zak (2)

2019   (050) A. Zak (3)

2018   (044) A. Zak (2)

2017   (044) A. Sobota (1)

2016   (031) D. Cooper (1)

​

132

2025   (121) G. Teeter

2024   (073) A. Freeman (1)

2023   (071) J. Zak (1) 

2021   (106) J. Ammons (3)

2020   (101) J. Ammons (2)

​

148

2026   (130) I. Reedy (1)

2025   (122) B. Zak (4)

2024   (124) B. Zak (3)

2023   (120) B. Zak (2)

2022   (110) B. Zak (1)

2021   (95)  C. Cooper (1)

2019   (53)  D. Cooper (2)

2018   (88)  L. Bailey (1) 

2017   (80)  L. Bailey (1)

2015   (61)  C. Poythress (1)

2013   (105) R. Melton (1)

​

165

2026   (131) B. Zak (5)

2025   (122) T. Garriss (1)

2023   (093) M. Grace Taylor (2)

2022   (146) Et. Binkley (2)

2021   (134) Et. Binkley (1)

2020   (110) D. Klienschuster (1)

2019   (093) J. Sanders III (3)

2017   (051) M. Sorey (1)

2016   (066) E. Yow (1) 

2015   (132) N. Nantambu (1)

2014   (094) J. Midyette (1) 

2013   (127) B. Petit (1)

​

181

2026   (134) J. Dayhoff (1)

2025   (152) Ea. Binckley (1)

2022   (096) J. Sanders III (4)

2021   (106) El. Binckley (1)

2020   (123) D. Booth (1)

2017   (106) J. Sanders III (2)

2016   (105) J. Sanders III (1)

2015   (121) S. Poythress (1)

2014   (154) B. Petit (1)

​​

198

2026   (104) M. Berry (1)

2025   (126) B. Capps (2)

2024   (130) B. Capps (1)

2023   (130) C. Druyor (1)

2022   (124) J. Klugh (1)

2021   (181) J. Cooper (7)

2020   (181) J. Cooper (6)

2018   (170) J. Cooper (4)

2016   (105) R. Berry (4)

2015   (154) J. Cooper (1)

2013   (099) R. Berry (1) 

​

220

2026   (212) J. Cooper (11)

2025   (201) J. Cooper (10)

2024   (200) J. Cooper (9)

2023   (202) J. Cooper (8)

2020   (120) T. Napisa (1)

2019   (175) J. Cooper (5)

2017   (169) J. Cooper (3)

2016   (161) J. Cooper (2)

2015   (099) R. Berry (3)

2014   (104) R. Berry (2) 

2013   (116) A. Stone (1)

​

242

2026   (203) R. Dozier

2025   (165) A. Brown (1)

2019   (146) T. Huffman (1)

2018   (130) C. Inman (1)

2017   (144) G. Basnett (1)

2016   (138) T. King (1)

2015   (160) D. Daniels (1)

2013   (143) N. Givans (1)

​​

275

2026   (155) S. Kozlowski (2)

2024   (175) S. Kozlowski (1)

2023   (173) G. Basnett (1)

2022   (104) B. Rhodes (1)

2021   (106) B. Thibodeau (1)

2020   (133) K. Combs (2)

​

275+

2025   (166) M. Slate (1)

2020   (144) A. Poff (1)

2019   (120) R. Classing (1) 

2015   (094) R. Shirley (1)

2014   (127) K. Combs (1)

​

​