MIDDLEBURY — A good-size group of competitors gathered on the covered deck of Mr. Up’s restaurant in downtown Middlebury Saturday afternoon to pull in the Vermont States armwrestling tournament. Winners took home a sharp-looking hooded sweatshirt; those who earned second and third place got trophies.
The event was organized by Bill Sinks and George Sheldrick.
Jessalyn Carosella was the only lightweight entry in the women’s division; and organizers noted that she was four months pregnant.
Middlebury veteran Tony Niemo won his first state title — earning the hoodie in the 199-220-pound, left-handed category.
Tyler Wilkinson was the only double winner on the men’s side; he was victorious in the right-handed 177-198- and 199-220-pound categories. Cathy Merrill won both the women’s left- and right-handed open titles.
The final results were:
Men’s Right
0-154 pounds: 1. Kris Mickels, 2. Chris Gobby, 3. Benji Dwyer.
155-176: 1. Ken McKinney, 2. Matt Gundrum, 3. Eugene Sheldrick.
177- 198: 1. Tyler Wilkinson, 2. Jaron Boivin, 3. Mike Barup.
199-220: 1. Tyler Wilkinson, 2. Rick Mason, 3. Tony Niemo.
221-242: 1. Bill Sinks, 2. John Milne, 3. Adam Barup
Open: 1. Adam Barup, 2. George Sheldrick, 3. Darren Barbeau.
Men’s Left
0-154: 1. Chris Gobby, 2. Benji Dwyer, 3. Rich Spaulding.
155-176: 1. Ken McKinney, 2. Jamie Hoburn, 3. Matt Gundrum.
177-198: 1. George Sheldrick, 2. Tyler Wilkinson, 3. Mike Barup.
199-220: 1. Tony Niemo, 2. Ian Benoit
Open: 1. Dustin Mason, 2. Adam Barup, 3. John Jackson.
Women’s right
Open: 1. Cathy Merrill, 2. Jessalyn Carosella, 3. Shirley Calhoun.
Women’s left
Open: 1. Cathy Merrill, 2. Jessalyn Carosella.