On a gray Saturday, June 7, men and women gathered at the Des Monies Marina parking lot to compete, not for money or endorsement money but for pride, glory and the chance to test themselves in the Strongman Nationals in Utah later this year.

The top three from each weight class, ranging from lightweight in the women's to super heavy weight in the men's will qualify to participate in Utah.

The contestants competed in five events throughout the afternoon including the Farmer's Walk, Apollon Axle Dead Lift, Tire Flip and Keg Loading.

There were entrants from all over the Northwest as well as additional competitors from Canada and Hawaii.

The winners came in all shapes and sizes from the youngest, Dylan Logan, 16, of Portland in the 175 lbs class participating in his first competition, to Mark Wechter, 53, who bested men twenty years younger in the 231 lbs weight class.

The excitement built as the challenges became more difficult, but there were five stories that rose above all others.

Breck Gault, 36, from Sequim, was the showman of the event. He was a fierce competitor in every event, leaving everything "on the mat", and was a real crowd pleaser, rallying the crowds to load cheers after every event.

He was the overall winner in the 265 lbs weight class

Lacy O'Key, 34, from Camas and Snohomish resident Kristyn Vytlacil, 24, Snohomish, had both just returned from competing in an international Strongman event the week before in Poland, where they ranked fifth and eighth, respectively.

On Saturday, Vytlacil and O'Key tied in overall points. But by being a smaller stature than O'Key, Vylacil's efforts were judged to be more difficult overall and they took home first place.

Tacoma's Dawn Schmalenberg, 43, the golden haired and fit mother of 16 and 20- year-olds ran away with first prize in the lightweight woman's class.

It was her first strong man contest and she made her gym mates proud by leading in all events from start to finish.

"Sarge" John Allen, 45 of Sequim is a retired Marine NCO and sniper instructor for the 2nd Marine Division.

He showed the mental tenacity required to be a strongman by continuing to participate in all 5 contests, even after cracking a rib during the first event.

Allen never quit or asked for a handicap during the challenges. He barley acknowledged the real pain he was in until the ice packs were applied after each task. He came in sixth overall in the 231 weight class

From Meridian, Idaho, Jarrod Beekley, 36, was a mountain of a man whose story would make a fantastic movie.

He made the football team at Montana State as a walk-on, left school to fight in the first Gulf War and returned to Montana State with two bum knees.

Not only did he make the team as a defensive tackle, he earned an athletic scholarship.

Beekley is now a professional trainer and gym owner.

With this event, he qualified to compete nationally in Strongman Games after a three-year break.