Dia de los Deadlifts heavy with local talent

ALBUQUERQUE (Nov. 2, 2024) — The group, avid powerlifters, bodybuilders, trainers and deadlifters, were gathered to celebrate the 4th annual Dia de los Deadlifts competition, which went to benefit local non-profit Locker #505.

The competition featured veteran lifting professionals like Rio Rancho lifter Michelle Johnston, who earned her pro card in September and trains out of Westside Power Gym, and “Cowboy James” Whelchel, a Riverpoint personal trainer and Rio Rancho-based lifting coach.

It also featured novices and newbies. In fact, the youngest competitors at the event were eight and nine years old. (They lifted 75 and 135 pounds respectively.)

“I want people to know that this event is for all fitness levels,” said event organizer Vanessa Valadez Anderson. “Veteran competitors come out to hit personal records (PR’s), help and encourage the newer lifters. New lifters come out to support the community and do something out of their comfort zone. Every year at least one of those newbies ends up seriously lifting and/or competing and that’s exciting.”

Lifters competed in two rounds across 18 different divisions and the winners received medals at the end of the day.

Dia de los Deadlifts is a fun, but serious competition. Athletes are there to compete and beat their PR’s. But for Valadez Anderson, the important part is expanding the sport and helping others discover strength they never knew they had.

“All of the athletes who did it for the first time surprised themselves and pulled more than they thought they were capable of,” she said. “People fear lifting and especially the deadlift because they hear it’s bad for your back but that’s a misconception. ...We all do deadlifts every day without realizing it. Picking up kids, laundry baskets, packages off the porch, that’s a deadlift. So why not train for quality of life?”

Valadez Anderson said the event was a success at both bringing out the local lifting community and in raising money for Locker #505. She said she absolutely plans to host a 5th annual Dia de los Deadlifts event next year.

“This year we had 63 signed up,” said Valadez Anderson. “With registration signups alone, we’ve made Locker #505 over $2000. We’ve collected clothing, raffle and donation money.”

The exact total has not yet been determined.

“I’m passionate about giving back to my community and helping people achieve their health and wellness goals. That’s why I started this for Locker #505, and we will continue to do this every year,” said Valadez Anderson.

Locker #505 is a 501 (3) nonprofit organization that looks to “provide appropriate school clothing to K-12 Greater Albuquerque Metro (including Sandoval, Valencia and Torrance counties) students in need. ...Having appropriate school clothing allows children to concentrate on their schoolwork, not their clothing. It also helps keep children who might not go to class because of their clothes stay in school.”

Valadez Anderson is a personal trainer at Riverpoint Sports & Wellness. For more information, visit wellbridge.com.

Dia de los Deadlifts results

• (RR) indicates Rio Rancho-based athlete

WOMEN

Masters Women – Heavyweight

1 Michelle Johnston (RR)

2 Susan Buris

3 Sonja Schofield

Masters Women – Middleweight

1 Maggie Heide

2 Stephanie Eddings

3 Brenda Hessling

Masters Women — 60+

1 Maribel Armenariz (El Paso, TX)

Novice Women – Heavyweight

1 Alexandria Savage

2 Sharon Baca

3 Alexandra Turpin

Novice Women – Lightweight

1 Ila Yazzie

2 Monica Brito

3 Camille VanErt

Open Women – Super-Heavyweight

1 Jordan Anderson

2 Leslie Villagomez

Open Women – Heavyweight

1 Kati Gettemeier

2 Sarah Turner

3 Devon Tancza

MEN

Masters Men – Heavyweight

1 James Anderson

2 Cowboy James Whelchel (RR)

3 Alex Chapman

Novice Men – Heavyweight

1 Aaron War

2 Michael Berg

3 Esteban Anderson

Novice Men – Lightweight

1 Arch Jones

2 Levon VanErt

3 Gideon Grafe

Open Men — Heavyweight

1 Silas Thorton (RR)

2 Karl Schneller

Open Men – Middleweight

1 Joseph Duran

2 Derrick Dejesus

Open Men – Lightweight

1 Noah Valdez

2 Isaiah Reyes

3 Richard Anderson

TEEN

Teen Women – Heavyweight

1 Jessica Arbuckle

2 Emelia Osborn

Teen Women – Lightweight

1 Trinity Hite

Teen Men

1 Derek Barreras

JUNIORS

Girls

1 Greanlie Thorton (RR)

Boys

1 Ronan Whelchel (RR)