Two local police officers will be doing a little more than serving and protecting the community this Saturday.

Chris Pietrantonio, a Michigan State trooper, and Jonathon Straus, an Isabella County Sheriff’s deputy, along with Jason Pyles, owner of J.P.’s Gym and Fitness, 4245 S. Lincoln Road, will be competing together in the King of the Mountain competition.

The meet qualifies participants for the North American Strongman Incorporated’s national competition taking place October 10 and 11 in Carencro, La.

The competition will begin at 11 a.m. at Graff Chevrolet, 4580 E. Pickard Road, and will include events such as a 560-pound farmer’s walk, a two-inch axle dead lift, log press and Atlas stones, a group of five large stones that ascend in weight up to more than 350 pounds.

Pyles said a medley of lifting activities is also planned.

“(This competition is) un-superhuman people doing super human things,” Pyles said.

Pietrantonio, 33, has been involved with NAS for three years. He said Pyles moved him to action.

“He inspired me into doing it,” Pietrantonio said.

Pietrantonio’s favorite event is the Atlas stones.

“They come easy to me,” he said.

He has been nationally ranked for the past couple of years, he said, and is looking to qualify for nationals this year.

“I’m looking to win it this year,” he said.

Straus, 27, began involvement with NAS because of Pietrantonio.

“I’ll do my best to finish in the top half,” Straus said. “I’m doing it for the fun.”

Competitors include men from all over, Pyles said.

Participants in King of the Mountain compete in four different weight categories and may face up to 700 pounds of lifting. The weight categories range from under 200 pounds to over 265 pounds.

“Anybody can compete in the Strongman,” Pyles said. “You will see men under 200 pounds.”

This is the second year for a Strongman competition in Mount Pleasant and Pyles said he is excited to keep it growing.

“(We) keep getting it bigger and bigger,” he said.

More than 400 spectators showed up last year, Pyles said, but the group is expecting 600 to 800 visitors this year.

“We want to make this as big as we can,” he said.

Pyles said a key behind the event is charity and family fun and a percentage of proceeds from the event will go to local charities.

Males interested in participating are welcome to sign up prior to the show or the day of, he said although there is a $60 entry fee and participants must also purchase a NAS sanctioning card.

Cash prizes, trophies and national qualifying spots are all on the line for the winners.

“(They’re) battling it out for over $1,000 in prizes,” Pyles said.

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E-mail the author: Hilary Farrell