THE CALEDONIAN GAMES
143rd Scottish Highland Gathering & Games

The titans of the world's top Heavy Event athletes were there for the 34th U.S. Invitational Heavy Events Championship. Five classes, topped by the Professional Class, paid homage to the ancient Scottish Heavy Event sports at the annual Caledonian Club of San Francisco's Gathering and Games, the world's largest, held in Pleasanton over the Labor Day weekend.

Topping the pro class was Eric Frasure of Huntersville, NC, who not only won the overall U.S. championship, but bested his competitors in the world championship for the Scottish hammer. Frasure also went into the record books with a new high mark in the 56-lb. Weight for Distance.

A new field record for the Weight for Height was obtained by Bethlehem, PA, high school principal Harrison Bailey IL. British champion Scott Rider of London withdrew because of acute appendicitis, making the field all-U.S.A.

Perhaps the most spirited performances came from a duo in the Women's Open Class when defending Pleasanton champion Summer Pierson of Phoenix and Mindy Pockoski of Cornelius, NC, bested the field in the eight events, then squared off for the 28-lb. Weight for Height. Pockoski not only won all of her events to take the Pleasanton title, but also established a Weight for Height world record of 19 feet.

The Men's Open Amateur class was won by Andrew Kirchen of Vienna, VA. The Men's Master 40-49 Class was taken by Gene Flynn of Kitty Hawk, NC, and Daniel John of Murray, UT, came through for the Men's 50+ Masters Class.

1. Eric Frasure, Huntersville, NC: 24 pts.
2. Sean Betz, Omaha, NB: 30 pts.
3. Larry Brock, Charlotte, NC: 30 pts.
4. Harrison Bailey III, Bethlehem, PA: 32 pts.
5. Ryan Vierra, Stevenson, CA: 37 pts.
6. Michael Pockoski, Las Vegas, NV: 41 pts.
7. Bret Sorin, Columbia, SC: 42 pts.
8. David Brown, Placerville, CA: 54 pts.

For more information, please visit www.caledonian.org.