One Michigan State police trooper will be heading to Louisiana this October.

Trooper Chris Pietrantonio, of the Mount Pleasant State Police Post, took first place in the 231-265 pound heavyweight class and will be competing in the nationals down South this fall.

“It’s quite an accomplishment,” Pietrantonio said. “I’m excited to go to the nationals and plan on doing my best.”

Pietrantonio can squat 700 pounds, bench press 505 pounds and shoulder press 335 pounds

Facing off against each other at Graff Chevrolet, 4580 E. Pickard Road, it was all part of the King of the Mountain competition, a strongman competition with sponsors from all over the United States.

The 30 to 40 participants proved their strength to a cheering audience of about 600 by undergoing a series of exercises, including the axle dead lift, log press, farmer’s walk and Atlas stones.

The top three finalists in each weight division qualified for a spot in the October nationals in Louisiana.

Mount Pleasant resident Shawn Allen took first place in the 200-231 pound heavyweight class and will also compete in the nationals.

Allen, who can dead lift 750 pounds, said he was initially apprehensive about the event, but thought it would be fun.

“I was thankful just to do well, it was fun competing,” Allen said. “Everybody supports each other, it’s really neat.”

Several Central Michigan University students also competed.

Lapeer senior Emanuele Solito and Alma junior Nate Hamp competed in the under 200 pounds lightweight class and Shepherd sophomore Ron Shock competed in the super heavyweight 300 pounds and above class.

“I love it,” Shock said. “It makes me happy. I love the competition and I love using my body to make people say ‘oohh, ahh.’”

Hamp competed for his first time and said he plans on coming back.

“You have to try it,” he said. “Its fun and you have nothing to lose. You’re only competing against yourself.”

Jonathon Straus, an Isabella County Sheriff’s deputy, took fourth place in the 200-231 pound heavyweight class.

Although he didn’t qualify for the nationals, he said he plans on doing a few more competitions this year.

“I do this for fun,” he said. “The whole thing is fun.”

Jim Messick, general manager of Graff Chevrolet, said the dealership has been working on this event for about a year and would love to do it again.

“What we wanted to do is come up with a fun family event,” he said. “It’s exciting for everybody – people all over town are coming.”

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E-mail the author: Joe Borlik