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Muscle men set new state records
Sep 25, 2008 | 462 views | 0 
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Jacob Gunter set a state record in the deadlift open class this month with a lift of 606 pounds. He works out at Sweat Fitness in Tooele.
- photography courtesy Keith Utz
- photography courtesy Keith Utz
Larry Modena leans on a bar bearing 407 pounds at Sweat Fitness Monday. Modena cleared the 400-pound mark, setting a new record in the American bench press super heavyweight division on Sept. 13.
- photography / Troy Boman
- photography / Troy Boman
Jacob Gunter from Stansbury Park and Larry Modena and Keith Utz from Tooele all placed first in their respective classes at an Amateur Athletic Union power lifting contest this month in Brigham City.
“We all work out about six times a week during the year at Sweat Fitness and the owner there, Dan (Moser), gives us tips on nutrition. In AAU competition there is a lot of testing to make sure athletes are drug free,” Modena said.
Gunter set a Utah record in the dead lift by hoisting 606 pounds during the Brigham City competition. He competes in the open class.
Modena set an American and Utah record in the bench press in the age 40-44 division. He lifted 407 pounds.
Utz set an American and Utah record in the dead lift in the 40-44 division with a lift of 540 pounds.
“The state of Utah has the strongest lifters who are also drug free,” Modena said. “You do need to use amino acids to help in competition and that is where Dan helps us.”
Modena was a power lifting champion in high school in the 3A and 4A classes and earned a No. 1 ranking in the nation his senior year.
“He’s got really strong arms and shoulders and he’s been consistent in training for years and years,” Utz said about Modena.
“When I was 19 I set a record in the bench press in the 198-pound class 341 pounds,” Modena said. “I really like the adrenaline rush getting ready for competition and I try to get all pumped up ready to go.”
Utz is about the same age as Modena and is just coming back to compete after a nine-year hiatus.
“I was a high school lifter and I’m just coming back now. The competition is fun and it helps to keep you motivated instead of just going in and lifting every day. Sweat Fitness is a good place to work out and there is plenty of room there. We’re planning to hold a big state AAU power lifting event there in December which would be a qualifier for nationals,” Utz said.
Utz said if anybody is interested in working out with them or competing in weight lifting events they should call Sweat Fitness at 882-6680 or himself at 882-8114.
“We would really like to see some of the high school kids become involved,” Utz said.
Mark Watson: mwatson@tooeletranscript.com
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