The Eighth Annual Team Tom Jack Robinson Lifting Classic was held Feb. 9 at Team Tom Gym in Greeley, Colo.

A lot of first-timers made up the 35 competitors but it was David Keetley and Anthony San Lorenzo who turned heads as both earned national qualifying honors at the meet.

“Both of those guys are great lifters,” Wendy Forsyth, owner, and operator of Team Tom said.

In the men’s heavyweight division, Keetley won by nine points over Joshua Slotnick and Jeremy Everding was third with 25 points. Keetley and Saul Chavez put on a show in the max axle deadlift with both pulling 740-pounds.

San Lorenzo topped the field in the middleweight division. Colin Fay’s 18.5 edged Ryan Stewart (17.5) for second place.

James Mingle won at lightweight with James Baker placing second.

In the novice divisions, Trevor Wagner earned top honors at heavyweight over Josh Culver and Benjamin Kniola.

At lightweight, Tommy Lamb made quite the first impression. Lamb, a sheriff’s deputy, in his first-ever competition. Lamb was also coming off an injury and ended up winning by a landslide.

In the women’s competition, Kim Scott won the women’s lightweight division but the tiny but mighty Denise Ennis, who weighed in at 122-pounds, put forth a great effort in claiming second. Caitlin McCann was the winner at middleweight.

Shena Lopez was the women’s winner at heavyweight and Crystal Valenzuela grabbed top honors at lightweight.

“Multiple times I had people come up and say it was the best one we’ve had and I don’t know what it was that was so different,” Forsyth said. “I tried to make this better than the last one. We did have a live score sheet, so maybe that was it. It’s important that the sport grows. You want the new people to come and enjoy it.”

Team Tom will hold its next meet on May 18 with the Team Tom American Tribute that will raise money for police officers injured in the line of duty.

The Jack Robinson Lifting Classic is named after the Colorado Powerlifting Hall of Famer and former World Record Holder.

For more information on Team Tom visit teamtomgym.com

-By Brett Auten