Scottish Heavy Athletics at Heritage Days

By Anne Eickstadt

ANNE EICKSTADT PHOTO Belvidere Republican
Kim Piebo of Austin, Texas uses a pitchfork to fling a sheaf over the bar to go on to the next round, flinging the sheaf even higher.

EDITOR

“This is the fourth annual Scottish Heavy Games at Heritage Days,” said Jason Clevenger. “We have 20 throwers from around the Midwest – Springfield; Lacrosse, Wis.; Milwaukee; and the Chicagoland area and even a competitor from England. We have more contestants this year than last year.

“Elysa Hapner is first in the nation. Katie Crowley is the former world champion, former record holder, and ninth in the nation right now. Julie Peterson is a former world champion and is a record holder in the Masters category for women over 40; and Rick Cramer is a former world record holder in the weight over bar competition.

“We are holding seven events today:

The open stone – a 16 (pound) lb. shot-put style competition

The heavy weight for distance – men under 40 throw a 56 lb. weight; men over 40 throw a 42 lb. weight; women under 40 throw a 28 lb. weight; over 40 throw a 21 lb. weight.

The light weight for distance – all men throw a 28 lb. weight no matter their age and women throw a 14 lb. weight.

The hammer – men throw a heavy 22 lb. hammer and a light 16 lb. hammer; women throw a heavy 16 lb. hammer and a light 12 lb. hammer.

Weight over bar – men under 40 throw a 56 lb. weight over a bar; men over 40 throw a 42 lb. weight; women under 40 throw a 28 lb. weight over the bar; women over 40 throw a 21 lb. weight. The athletes get three tries then the bar is raised a foot and the ones that succeeded at the previous height continue in the competition.

The sheaf toss – the men use a pitchfork to fling a 16 lb. bag for distance, the women fling a 10 lb. bag.

The caber – for men, the caber is 20 feet long and weighs 140 lbs. For women, the caber is 18 feet long and weighs 110 lbs. The caber should flip over and land at the 12 o’clock position.

“I am from Rockford and this is my 19th year doing Scottish Heavy Athletics,” Clevenger said. “You can go online to www.nasgaweb.com for more information about the North American Scottish Games Association or visit the Facebook page.”

Competitor Julie Peterson has won the world master’s championship. She said, “We have a pretty good group of athletes here. The athletes here today hold six world records. Elisa holds two world open records and is the national champion.

“This sport attracts people from all walks of strength sports such a…