Local strongmen strut their stuff
Twenty-year old Mackenzie Throop, the only woman to participate in Rathdrum's North Idaho's Strongest, joined twelve other competitors in the hammer hold and four other events.
Photo courtesy of Rathdrum Parks & Recreation
Michael Boe pushes through on the Conan's Wheel. Competing against twelve others in five strongman events, Boe took home the Men's Heavyweight Novice title. Matthew Hunter, locally ranked strongman, spots. As a volunteer, judge and sponsor he represents Matthew Hunter Strength and Nutrition.
RATHDRUM—Despite having to postpone North Idaho’s Strongest for one week, Parks & Recreation activity supervisor Mickael Stevens said the event was a “great success.”
Though it was smaller than the last competition held in 2019, thirteen competitors took part in the Viking Press, Conan’s Wheel, the frame deadlift, a hammer hold and a keg medley event.
The men’s heavyweight open division winner was Christian Berghoff, the heavyweight novice was Michael Boe. Matthew Speelman took the middleweight open and Derek Miller won the middleweight novice division.
Twenty-year old Mackenzie Throop, the only woman to compete, walked away as the women’s lightweight novice.
“I’m so glad I got to be a part of the competition,” Throop said. “It was a lot of fun for me and it showed me my strengths and weaknesses for sure.”
Eager for more strongman competitions, Throop is busy training. “I have always been in love with the gym and training for my outdoor sports so I can be the best I can,” Throop said.
The annual event takes place toward the end of September, weather permitting.