Athletics

THE ANNUAL MIDWEST
HIGHLAND GAMES CHAMPIONSHIP

Competing on the

Clara Elizabeth Robertson
Memorial Athletic Field

Althetics

The Scottish Highland Games or Heavy Athletics are the modern continuation of an ancient Celtic tradition. Each event tests the athletes strength and skill. It may seem that the sport requires brute strength alone, but developing good technique is essential to succeeding in the games.

Each athlete wears a kilt and Scottish hose, yes, real men do wear kilts! If you have any doubts, just show up at the games.

Athletic competitions originally were held between neighboring clans. During the reign of King Malcolm Canmore (1058-1093 AD), clan chiefs would hold competitions to pick the strongest men as body guards and the swiftest to be couriers.

Annual Midwest Highland Games Championship

The Columbus Scottish Festival is proud to host the 2010 Annual Midwest Highland Games Championship.

Participation in the competition will be by invitation only. Athletes wishing to compete should contact Lannie Pullon (e-mail: lanniepullon@yahoo.com ). All invitations will be confirmed no later than August 1, 2010. There will be an entry fee of $30 for all competitors. The fee includes a gate pass, water all day, and lunch.

The 2010 Midwest Championship will be bigger and better than last year with the return of our Men Professional Class and the addition of a Women Professional Class as well.

In 2010 we will have some of the best and biggest names in our sport:

  • 2010 Women World Champion Adriane Blewitt
  • 2009 USA National Champion Kerry Overfelt
  • 2009 USA vs. Canada Member Craig Smith
  • 2009 USA vs. Scotland Member Jeremy Gillingham
  • 2009 NCAA Shot Put and Hammer Champion Cory Martin
  • 2007 Men's Master World Champion Doug Ballard

The competition will be for both amateur and professional athletes. The contest events will be the following:

  • Open Stone Throw
  • 28 lb Weight Throw for Distance
  • 56 lb Weight Throw for Distance
  • Heavy Hammer
  • Caber
  • Sheaf Toss
  • 56 lb Weight Throw for Height

There will be multiple competitive classes with 6 to 15 athletes in each class except the Pro Class. There will be 4 to 5 athletes in the Pro Class.

Saturday Competition
A - Class 9:00 am
  Master Class 9:00 am
  190 lb Class 9:00 am
  Pro Class 9:00 am
     
Sunday Competition
B - Class 10:00 am
  Women's Class 10:00 am
  C - Class 10:00 am
  Novice Class 10:00 am
     

2009 Competition

The first Annual Midwest Championship was held at the 2009 Columbus Scottish Festival. Forty-one athletes participated in the competition. There were 23 Games records Set or Broken.

Columbus Games Records

16lb open stone    
  Pro  Cory Martin   62.7 2009
  Open Jeremy Gillingham   50.11 2009
  190lb Luke Hilgers   43.0 2009
  Master Barry Winters   37.6 ½ 2009
  Woman  Adriane Blewitt   46.0 2009
         
56lb Wt. Throw    
  Pro  Kerry Overfelt   43.8 ½ 2009
  Open Jeremy Gillingham   35.6 2009
  42lb 190lb Luke Hilgers   34.1 2009
  42lb Master Mike Shea   50.2 2006
  28lb Woman  Adriane Blewitt   42.6 2009
         
28lb Wt. Throw    
  Pro  Kerry Overfelt   80.1 ½ 2009
  Open Jeremy Gillingham   69.6 ½ 2009
  190lb Luke Hilgers   54.3 2009
  Master Mike Shea   67.8 2006
  14lb Woman  Adriane Blewitt   72.3 2009
         
22lb Hammer    
  Pro  Kerry Overfelt 111.9 2009
  Open Lannie Pullon 100.6 2005
  190lb Luke Hillgers   67.2 2009
  Master Doug Ballard   74.3 2004
  16lb Woman  Adriane Blewitt   80.3 2009
         
16lb Hammer    
  Open Lannie Pullon 125.9 2006
  190lb Dave Carl   78.85 2006
  Master Mike Shea 105.6 2006
  12lb Woman  Dawn Higgins   55.2 2008
         
20lb Sheaf    
  Pro  Kerry Overfelt   24.0 2009
  Open Jeremy Gillingham   29.0 2009
         
16lb Sheaf    
  Open Jeremy Gillingham   32.6 2008
  16lb 190lb Luke Hillgers   24.0 2009
  Master Rhett Bobzien   30.0 2007
  12lb Woman  Adriane Blewitt   20.0 2009
         
56Lb Wt. Toss    
  Pro  Kerry Overfelt   17.0 2009
  Open Lannie Pullon   15.0 2006
  42lb 190lb Luke Hilgers   15.0 2009
  42lb Master Mike Shea   18.0 2006
  28lb Woman  Adriane Blewitt   14.0 2009