2015’s Lightweight National Championship

Weigh-ins started as the sun bean to rise over Centennial Park in Davenport, Iowa for 2015’s Lightweight National Championship. The eight athletes earning an invitation are Nigel Anselmi - Washington, Jon Dahlin - Minnesota, Scott Farr - Utah, Mark Howe - Flordia, Luke Lomsdalen - Washington, Anthony "Chip" McIrvin - Oregon, JoDan Minnick -Texas, and Phil Sansotta – Idaho were met by five regional throwers to challenge for the 16th Annual Lightweight National Tittle. This field of athletes is tough and impressive as it includes multiple World Record holders and past National Champions.

The day started with the Braemar stone. Scott Farr set the tone by breaking not only the Championship record but the Lightweight record for this event with his throw of 36’-10” on the 22lb stone. Phil Sansotta finished second followed by Nigel Anselmi, Luke Lomsdalen, and Mark Howe.

The 16lb Open stone was up next. Phil Sansotta won this with a throw of 42'-1", followed by Nigel Anselmi 41'-11", Scott Farr 41'-6.5", Mark Howe 40'-9", and a throw of 37'-11" made by both Luke Lomsdalen and Brandon Chisholm.

After two rounds, the top are: Phil Sansotta- 3 pts, Scott Farr - 4 pts, Nigel Anselmi – 5 pts, Mark Howe – 9 pts, Luke Lomsdalen - 9.5 points. In Highland Games scoring, first place receives 1 point; second place receives 2 points… At the end of the day, the athlete with the lowest point total wins the championship.

The next event, Heavy Weight for Distance, was pummeled by Scott Farr's who won it with a throw of 49'-8" breaking the Championship record as well as the U190 Lightweight Record. Scott was not done as he launched extra throws of 51'-9" breaking all LW records followed by a whopper of 52'-10" (8% farther than the U190 Lightweight record and 5% farther than the U200 Lightweight record). These throws made all others on that day for this event look simply pedestrian. After Scott, the order was Phil Sansotta, Nigel Anselmi, Jon Dahlin, and Mark Home.

The standings after three events: a tie for first between Phil Sansotta and Scott Farr both with 5 pts, followed by Nigel Anselmi in sticking range with 8 pts, and a battle forming for 3rd with Mark Howe -14 pts, Luke Lomsdalen - 15.5 pts.

Lightweight for Distance: Nothing as dramatic as the Heavy Weight but they were letting them fly putting up impressive results. Scott Farr showed that the weights are his play things. Scott Farr 71'-9", Phil Sansotta 66'-7", Mark Howe 64'-4", Nigel Anselmi 61'-2", JoDan Minnick 60'-7"

After four rounds, the top five have not changed with the competition remaining tight for the top spot and a battle royal for third place: Scott Farr - 6 pts, Phil Sansotta – 7pts, Nigel Anselmi - 12pts, Mark Howe – 17 pts, Luke Lomsdalen - 22.5 pts.

The hammers shook the bottom of the order up!

Heavy Hammer: Luke Lomsdalen winning throw of 86’-1.5”, Phil Sansotta 85’-9”, JoDan Minnick 85’-5.5”, Mark Howe 80’-8.5”, Scott Farr 80’-7.5”.

Light Hammer: JoDan Minnick winning throw of 109-4.5”, Luke Lomsdalen108-8.5”, Phil Sansotta 107’-4”, Scott Farr 107’-1”, Mark Howe 102’-3”

After all distance events, there appears to be a battle forming for 1st and 3rd: Phil Sansotta – 12pts, Scott Farr – 15pts, Luke Lomsdalen - 25.5 pts, Nigel Anselmi – 26 pts, Mark Howe 26 pts.

The distance thrown of the contestants winning throw has Scott Farrcombined distance of 390'-8.0", Phil Sansotta379'-8.5", Mark Howe 362'-4.0", JoDan Minnick     359'-6.0", Luke Lomsdalen357'-1.0", Nigel Anselmi349'-10.5". Scott’s distance reflects his mastery of the weights and Braemar stone when compared to Phil’s combined total. What is more interesting is that a total of 5’-3” separate the distances for the next three throwers, demonstrating the competitive intensityof these athletes.

What will the height events and caber reveal?

Sheaf Toss: The Lightweight Championship record of 30’ - 0”fell to tosses of 30’ - 4” by JoDan Minnick and Phil Sansotta with both of them taking a shot at the Lightweight World Record but falling short. Phil ekes out the first place by tie breaking over JoDan followed by Nigel Anselmi for third and a tie for fourth involving Luke Lomsdalen and Jon Dahlin. Scott Farr t-shirt probably was thinking “Death by Sheaf!” as he finished 7th.   

With two events to go, things are getting clearer and getting interesting at the same time. Phil Sansotta is looking like he may have a lock on first with 13 pts. However, 2ndand 3rd place are in play and up for grabs for the next 5 throwers: Scott Farr - 22 pts, Nigel Anselmi - 29 pts, Luke Lomsdalen - 30 pts, Mark Howe - 32 pts, JoDan Minnick - 34 pts

Weight Over Bar, the test of Champion, is a gut check to see what is left in the gas tank. At 15.5 feet, seven throwers are still in, including 4 of the top 5: Phil Sansotta, Scott Farr, Nigel Anselmi, Mark Howe, and JoDan Minnick. Playing potential spoilersis Jon Dahlin and Chip McIrvin.

The event ended with JoDan Minnick setting standing Lightweight World record of 18’ 7”, followed by Phil Sansotta at 17.5’, Jon Dahlin at 16.5’, Nigel Anselmi, Chip McIrvin, and Scott Farr tied at 15.5’.

With one event left, Phil Sansotta is putting a strangle hold on the Championship with 15 pts. However, 2nd and 3rdplace is still up for grabs. The standings at this juncture are:Phil Sansotta– 15 pts, Scott Farr - 27 pts, Nigel Anselmi - 34 pts, JoDan Minnick - 35 pts, Luke Lomsdalen - 38.5 pts, Mark Howe - 39 pts.

Cabers: Three cabers were used, all Colorado Lodge Pine poles with little taper. Each getting progressively tougher: 15’9”- 75lbs (626 pts), 16’1”- 105lbs (756 pts), and 17’10” 115lbs at a righteous 936 pts.

The first stick knocked half the class out, the second stick knocked one more out leaving, Luke Lomsdalen,Mark Howe, Phil Sansotta, Scott Farr and JoDan Minnick to tackle the big stick.

The big stick has only been turned by perhaps one person and is often used as a Masters Challenge Caber. It is named DB, in memoriam of Daryl Burchett; this seemed appropriate as he is the father of two Lightweight National Champions.

Phil Sansotta was the only one to turn it and just barely as the turn was close to but not a fifer resulting in a 2:45 turn. The rest were placed by partial turns in order of Luke Lomsdalen, Mark Howe, JoDan Minnick and Scott Farr.

Final standings Phil Sansotta - 16 pts, Scott Farr - 32 pts, JoDan Minnick - 39 pts, Luke Lomsdalen - 40.5 pts, Nigel Anselmi - 41 pts, Mark Howe - 42 pts, Jon Dahlin - 59.5 pts, Anthony "Chip" McIrvin - 66 pts

Congratulations to Phil Sansotta, 2015’s Lightweight National Champion


Edited by McSanta - 9/22/15 at 7:06pm