Sean Betz Wins US. Invitational Heavy Events Championhips . . . Mike Pockoski Wins World Hammer Championships

After spending the night in the number two position at the U.S. Invitational Heavy Events Championships, Sean Betz wasted no time closing the gap in this prestigious Highland Games competition.

Sean Betz came in second place to Harrison Bailey III on the 22-lb. weight for distance, the final event in the U.S. Invitational Heavy Events Championships, but that was more than good enough to hang onto his lead and leave town with the title.  Randall J. Strossen photo.


Betz was fourth in the open stone, the first event today, but Harrision Bailey III (HB III), the overall leader, was sixth, so this moved Betz to within 1/2 point of HB III.  Scott Rider won the Open stone with a 55’ 10”, followed by Daniel McKim at 51’ 2-1/2” and Rusty Price at 50’ 3”. 

In terms of the Betz-Bailey dual, the pattern continued on the heavy hammer, as Betz was second and Bailey was sixth, which moved Betz into the overall lead.  Michael Pockoski won the event with a throw of 115’ 5”, which also gave him the World Hammer Championships title.  Sean Betz followed at 112’ 1” and then it was Eric Frasure at 111’ 5”.

Harrison Bailey III bounced back for the win on the 28-lb weight for distance (83’); Sean Betz was second (81’ 5-1/2”) and Ryan Vierra was third (81’ 1-1/2”).

Here are the final overall places and points:

1. Sean Betz - 25 points
2. Harrison Bailey III - 27.5
3. Daniel McKim - 33
4. Eric Frasure - 38.5
5. Michael Pockoski - 41
6. Scott Rider - 41
7. Ryan Vierra - 50-1/2
8. Bert Sorin - 55 1/2
9. Rusty Price - 61
10.Lucais McKay - 67