WATERLOO, Iowa --- The group of burly, kilt-clad men squat, kick and stretch, readying themselves to participate in the Highland Games at Iowa Irish Fest on Saturday morning.
The men, and their female counterparts, competed in a series of events that tested their strength and agility.
Dwarfed by her competitors is 13-year-old Alisha Braden. This is the first games for the Anamosa Middle School student.
Dressed in a hot pink and black plaid kilt and matching high socks, Braden became interested in throwing competitions after competing in shot put and discus events for her school's track team. It also didn't hurt that her father, Sean, has been competing in the Highland Games for about four years.
Alisha's siblings and her mother, Jennifer Braden, were in attendance to cheer them both on.
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Jennifer Braden, who is a junior high track coach, said her daughter has been working hard to get ready for the competition.
"She's been working with the high school throwing coach and working in the weight room," she said.
Alisha has shown she is serious about competing. Just three days before Saturday's competition, she had oral surgery and had to have several teeth pulled. She would not go under anesthetic until the doctor assured her she would be able to compete.
"It's kind of fun being the youngest one here," Alisha said.
Highland competitions have almost become a way of life for the Braden family.
"We have a caber in our basement and a sheaf on the front porch," Jennifer Braden joked, referring to some of the equipment used in competition.
Eighteen athletes competed in Saturday's events, which included throwing the Clachneart, or stone of strength, and the Braemar Stone, weighing up to 22 pounds and 30 pounds, respectively; weight throws featuring 28- or 56-pound weights; the sheaf toss, where competitors use a hay fork to toss a simulated wheat sheaf for height; weight over bar, which entails throwing a 56-pound weight for height; the Irish super heavy two-handed stone throw, where the stone must weigh more than 112 pounds for male competitors and 56 pounds for females; and the games' signature event, the caber toss, which requires participants to flip a 20-foot tapered pole --- weighing up to 140 pounds --- end over end.
The competitors get three attempts at each event, and the 13-year-old has some stiff competition. Two of her adversaries are nationally-ranked athletes Candace Mann, ranked 11th, and Amanda Latsch, who is in the top 20. Both were Division I athletes in college.
The two can often be seen discussing technique with each other.
"Everyone helps each other out," Mann said. "She's been helping me with my shot technique and I've been helping her with her weight over bar."
Mark McVey, the event's athletics director, said he loves bringing the Highland Games to Iowa Irish Fest.
"The atmosphere of the park, the crowds are enthusiastic," he said. "It's really enjoyable to throw here. It is, by far, my favorite festival."