Virginia Tech Recreational Sports will host the Ninth Annual Bench Press Competition on Saturday, Feb. 27.

The competition will host a Men’s Open, Men’s Raw Division, Ladies Open, and will be held in War Memorial Hall starting at 10 a.m.

The Bench Press competition is open to all Virginia Tech patrons and to the general public. Early online registration is now available. Fees are $15 for Virginia Tech students, $20 for Virginia Tech faculty and staff, and $25 for all other participants. There is an additional $10 fee to register for a second division. Walk-up registration will include an additional $5 added to the early entry fees. Registration forms can be found on the Recreational Sports website.

All participants will receive a free T-shirt. This year, for the first time, $50 cash prizes will be awarded to the first place winners for Men’s Overall Open, Men’s Overall Raw, and Women’s Overall divisions. Spectator admission is free for all fans that want to come out and support the competitors.

A room block has been provided by Recreational Sports sponsors Days Inn Blacksburg and Holiday Inn University for all competitors and spectators. Contact them directly to book a room or visit the Recreational Sports website.

Early weigh-in will take place Friday from 4-7 p.m. and on the day of the event, from 7-8 a.m. All weigh-ins will be held in War Memorial Hall, Room 124. A rules briefing for all competitors will begin promptly at 9:45 a.m. before the meet. After the competition, awards will be given for each division’s first through third place winners from each weight class and the strongest male and female competitors will be honored as the Ninth Annual Bench Press champions.

Competitors are encouraged to start training now. “Hiring a personal trainer to help prepare for the competition would be a great idea for participants who are looking to take their training to the next level,” said DeWayne Moore, personal training supervisor for Virginia Tech Recreational Sports. There is also a sample workout program available on the Recreational Sports website, for those that would rather train on their own.

This year’s sponsors are John Wilburn, REALTOR® with Prudential Radford and Associates, REALTORS®, Sayre Promotional Products, and vitaminwater,

Parking for the event is free around the Drillfield, on the Alumni Mall, and in the Shultz lot. No pass is necessary on weekends. Find more parking information online or call (540) 231-3200.

Written by Kelsey George. George, of Charlotte, N.C., is a senior majoring in communication and interdisciplinary studies in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences.

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