The first ever Better Body Fitness Highland Games were held Saturday at the Legion baseball field at Lovell High School. With participation from out-of-towners and locals, the event saw 17 contestants competing in seven different events derived from traditional Scottish Highland Games.
Scottish Highland Games are held throughout the year in Scotland and other countries to celebrate Scottish culture. The origin of the Scottish Highland Games probably predates recorded history, but early writings say the games were first used to determine the fastest runner in the land and as a way for the men of Scotland to train for war.
Events include the braemer stone and the open stone – where competitors throw a 20-plus stone for distance. Competitors can do any kind of “wind up” in the open stone, while they aren’t allowed any run up or wind up in the braemer contest.
Also included are the Scottish hammer throw, a weight thrown for height and a 28- and 56-pound stone throw for distance. In the sheaf toss, competitors use a pitchfork to toss a 16-pound bundle of straw over a height mark.
In the caber toss, competitors pick up a long pine pole and balance it vertically while running forward, attempting to flip the pole so the upper end hits the ground first and the caber falls in the 12 o’clock position, relative to the direction of the run. When the caber falls to the ground, competitors are judged on the caber’s relative position to 12 o’clock on an imaginary clock.

First place in the open class went to event organizer Chad Lindsay, who swept almost every event. Lindsay threw the open stone 47-3, threw the braemer stone 21-10, hurled the hammer 85-2 and topped the field in the sheaf toss, clearing 24 feet.
Tyler Anderson beat Lindsay in the weight for height contest. Anderson was the only competitor to clear 15 feet, edging Lindsay at 14 feet. Anderson took second place in the open class with 22 points, following close behind Lindsay with second-place finishes in the open stone, braemer stone, hammer and 28- and 55-pound distance. Anderson finished third in the sheaf toss and sixth in the caber toss.
Rob Zundell came in third with 35 points, finishing in the top five in most events, and flipping the 85-pound, 16-foot caber to land at 45 degrees. 
In the master class (40 and older), Mark Syverston took first place with 10 points, winning four out of seven events. Mike Riley took second with 14 points.
In the 185-pound or less category, Colby Syverston took first place with eight points, John McIntosh took second with 23 points and Scott McIntosh took third with 27 points.
The only woman competitor, Jen Bergstrom, finished in first place in the women’s division with eight points.
Overall results:
Master class – Mark Syverston, 10 points, 1st; Mike Riley, 14, 2nd.
Open class – Chad Lindsay, 9, 1st; Tyler Anderson, 22, 2nd; Rob Zundell, 35, 3rd; Kevin Walker, 37, 4th; Dave Stordahl, 39, 5th; AJ Montanez, 48, 6th; Walter McIntosh, 51, T-7th; Stan Hedges, 51, T-7th; Cody Savage, 65, 9th; Tanner Rohrer, 66, 10th.
185-pound or less – Colby Syverston, 8, 1st; John McIntosh, 23, 2nd; Scott McIntosh, 27, 3rd; Dimas Patina, 30, 4th. Competitors were given one point for the place they finished in each event.