Things I learned at Get A Grip

[Rick Laton]

1. As soon as you think someone is a lock to win at something..... They are not. (Except Ron Klemba Left hand)

2. Brent Norris is a BAD DUDE !! Never would have dreamed he could beat Mark Harrison but he did. He has earned my respect. Wanna try ME next year?

3. Supermatches wear a man out. Ask Mark Harrison, Brent Norris, Tim Inman and Jeremy Plaster.

4. Jeremy Fraley is quickly become a STUD. Pulled 3 hard matches against Inman in the Supermatch and then gave up 26 pounds to pull 176 and still won 2-3 matches. Wouldn't it be cool to be 20 years old and be that strong?

5. Speaking of young pullers, Dustin Cook is only 19 and won against several really good pullers. That's my guys. They make me proud.

6. Anthony Snook is my HERO. HE IS NOT SCARED !! He reminded me of this immediately following his total domination of the 176 pound right hand class. Didn't really realize he was THAT good. It was only 3-4 years ago that Mark Harrison and Jason Plyler were beating him down at the Mudville Grille. Now you gotta come back and defend your title next year. Awesome performance.

7. There is a serious problem with the young armwrestlers of today if Ron Klemba continually wins this 176 pound left hand class. (This is Ron's words not mine). Ron Klemba is a BEAST !! Total domination left handed and nearly that good right handed. Takes Simon (The heavy favorite) out first match in a grinder and still comes back through 17 more pullers to take second in his "Other" hand. The man earns it though. Watch the "Dungeon" training video if you don't believe me.

8. If Mike West stops you ....... It's over. It's like with Crazy George. Just go ahead and give up.

9. Hearst and Jigalko have heart. What a match.

10. Mark Taggert is good with BOTH arms. Wow !!

11. If Darnel Burris, Jamie Fortenberry and Joe Harwood would get serious, they could be serious contenders.

12. Mike Griffin won GET A GRIP !!!! That was the feel good story of the YEAR !! This was a Lincoln Hawks 20-1 underdog that came back and beat Paul Walther and some gigantic Monster from Tennessee. Did I mention he is from NC?

13. Travis Bagent is a GREAT announcer. He really livens things up. Makes a 24 hour tournament seem like it only lasted 8 hours.

14. Travis Bagent is a TERRIBLE referee. (At least in my match anyway).

15. Ray Jenkins is better than people think Right handed. He pulled 3 classes and looked pretty good. It was really hard to judge him because of the three classes and the quality of the people in these 3 classes. He felt STRONG in the straps. I don't think Jake would have placed in this 176 right class either.

16. Christ Russakis is the coolest guy to hang out with. I wish I had his energy.

17. Armwrestling is the greatest sport in the world. Thank everyone for coming and everyone that helped. I had a great time. I almost didn't do this tournament this year because I was just burned out. I can't believe that even crossed my mine. I'm still pumped up. See you guys next year !!!!!!!

[Jason Waldron]

Thanks Rick for such a good tourney me an my wife had fun and we will see ya next year brotha..........

[Timothy Inman]

Awesome tournament rick, Thank You for putting this on .......Im already looking forward to next year.

[Henry Vanburen]

Next year me and you right handed what you say Tim

[Timothy Inman]

?

[Henry Vanburen]

challenge match lol j/k congrats on your wins

[Rusty Brown]

Great tournament Rick! really enjoyed it, even though my hand & wrist looked pitiful. I've got several weak spots i got to start working on. I think Snooks surprised alot of people. He is a great top roller! Good job snooks! Allready can't wait for next year. Maybe i'll be a little better prepared and again, GREAT TOURNEY!!

[Mike West]

Always a great tourney Rick
This was a great test for my arm, figured out some things I need to work on some more.
See everyone next year ;D

[Ray Berry]

stay out of the hook,train more in the hook,stop smoking!!!

[Mike West]

Something I learned:

Very tough to pull 4 classes, video 2 tables and try to take pictures
Oh, I'm starting to get a little faster ;D

[Ron Klemba]

Thanks for the kind words Rick. Always a pleasure.

Simon is a strong man, but I feel closer than unifieds. Maybe doing something right in training.

Worley and Baldino were having a dispute over who is second best lefty, great match by the way.

Snook is giving me fits lately...gotta fix that.

Kudos to Frank showing true power and patience with Alex.

Great to see some old and new faces. Let's do it again sometime soon.

[Johnny Edwards]

I learned I need to really strengthen my wrist an hand alot more an just keep getting stronger.

[Anthony Snook]

Rick, you got me there with the "scared" tactics. I'm glad I came now

I might have even surprised myself Rusty

Mr. Klemba please no fixes Its always fun pulling with you. I know I got to be as fired up as I can possibly can get when I'm pulling you, or I'm gonna get hammered. If I could get as nervous pulling everyone as I do when I pull you, then there would be a lot more A$$ kickin's given out from me Thanks for making me pull my best. I hope I didn't bug you too bad at the after party getting you to pull with me....................all 30 times or so

It was good to see everyone at the tournament, and thanks to everyone who WRECKED my arms at the after party.

[Aaron Blevins]

I learned alot about myself in my first open tournament. I have no hit and theres definately some people out there stronger than I am right now. That being said, I will continue to train and look to have a much better showing this time next year.

Also, it was good to meet alot of the pullers out there, I'm a newcomer, so everyone not knowing me was more than friendly and had a good time pulling with everyone at the after party. I had to pull there, I caught a beat down in the open.

[Johnny Edwards]

Hey Aaron you have a STRONG arm Hand an Wrist from watching your matches there an on Armtv I think you just need to work your hit an you'll be fine your Strength is already there def. My arms are stills sore from pulling afterwards.

I do have a question when you slip out from underneath an not intentionally don't you have to be a certain point like 9-10 o-clock for it to be a losing position because I slipped against Baldino left handed at about 11:30-12 AN I got called slipping in a losing position I figured it mighta been cause I slipped underneath but I was trying to hang on an pull him over that way an my arm was just to much for my hand an I slipped just wanted to clear that up if anybody could help?