THE SOUTHERN OPEN

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2025 SOUTHERN OPEN WRITE UP:  ​    

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   (105):  The 2025 Southern Open was Spencer's FIRST meet, ever.  Spencer started off his lifting career on a great note as he would win the 105-bench title!!!  

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     (114):  The women are always strong in North Carolina.  Allison had no trouble winning her first Southern Open bench title, her first powerlifting title and her second curl title!!!  

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      (132):  Gary Teeter is a 7x world champion in the curl.  We were very happy to see Gary make the trip to North Carolina where he easily captured his first Southern Open title in the bench, the curl and the full meet.

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    (148):  I was happy to see that Gary dropped to 132 and Tim Garris moved to 165 as it allowed me to win my fourth powerlifting title, my fourth curl title and my third bench title.  Always weird talking about yourself. 

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      (165):  Last year the always popular John Permelia of Virginia captured the 181 title this year John dropped down to 165 and took his second Southern Open title.  Tim Garriss decided to hang out with the old folks and may have surprised himself as he had a strong day, capturing his first bench and curl title.  

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    (181):  There are three Binckley brothers, all three are incredibly strong.  The youngest, Easton, won the 148 title in 2021, in 2022 Easton took him the 165 title and in 2025 Easton would win his third Southern Open powerlifting title.  Easton would also take home his first Southern Open curl title.  Johnny Wong was incredibly strong as well.  Johnny had little trouble taking home his first Southern Open bench title.  

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      (198):  Mackenzie Grace Taylor doesn't just beat up the girls in her weight class, she also beats up the guys.  Mackenzie was brutally strong as she totaled 1,100 pounds which was enough to win the 198 powerlifting title.  In the bench it was Barry Capps of South Carolina who would capture his first bench title and in the curl, Barry would take home his second curl title.  

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      (220):  Nobody has won more than '5' Southern Open titles in any event, EXCEPT John Cooper.  8x world champion John Cooper would take home his tenth, yes tenth, Southern Open curl title.  John is in a league of his own.  Winning the bench was the man on a comeback tour, he worlds greatest coach and an inspiration to all...of course I'm talking about the one and only, Gene Berry.

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      (242):  I know that Austin Brown didn't get the big squat that he wanted, but it didn't matter as Austin was still able to take home his first Southern Open powerlifting title.  ​Austin would also win his first curl title.   The bench was close, but in the end Steve Kozlowski would edge out lifting legend Ray Berry for his second consecutive bench title. 

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     (275+):  The 275+ class always has talent.  This year was no different as Matt Slate of Nevada (yes Nevada) came down to bench 435 pounds, curl 155 pounds and total 1,648 pounds which was easily to win the bench, curl and full meet title for Matt!!!  ​

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 (WOMEN):  To keep things competitive, the women have individual weight classes for awards, BUT for the write up it's the top three by K formula, so the women have a challenge.  This is the top 3, women by K formula no order

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      (FULL MEET & BENCH):  To be continued.   job ladies.

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    (CURL):  To be continued

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    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.   

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FULL MEET (5+)

(#1) (5) John Ammons

(#1) (5) Raymond Classings

(#1) (5) M. Grace Taylor

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BENCH (5+)

(#1) (6) Mackenzie Grace Taylor

(#2) (5) Ashley Christiansen

(#2) (5) John Ammons

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CURL (5+)

(#1) (10) John Cooper

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PAST CHAMPIONS

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FULL MEET​

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105

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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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148  

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)

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165

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)

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181

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)

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198

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)

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220

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)

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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)

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275

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)

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275+  

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) 

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TOP BENCH

105

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)

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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

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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) 

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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)

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148

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)

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165

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)

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181

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)

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198

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)

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220

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) 

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242    

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) 

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275

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)

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275+  

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)

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TOP CURL

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105

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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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148

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)

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165

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)

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181

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)

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198

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) 

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220

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)

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242

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)

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275

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)

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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)

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