In the world of prizes for athletic achievement, this one may stand above the rest.

Okay, think you have the answer?

Is it an Olympic Gold Medal?

Not even close.

A World Series Ring?

Try again.

A Masters' Green Jacket?

Fuhgeddaboudit.

That coveted prize, the one valued above all others, is the title of "World's Strongest Zephyr."

For the last 15 years, the Whitehall football team has been holding the competition to crown these champions, and awarding those winners with an engraved plaque that bears their name for eternity. Really…who needs a Stanley Cup?

This year the competition featured four entrants in three weight classes: Light, Middle and Heavy. Each division crowns a champion after a grueling day of competing in a series of events that tests their stamina, strength and will power.

Assistant coach Justin Kondikoff, along with fellow coaches Ramie Moussa and Shawn Clary run the event which rewards players who have earned the right to compete by making the grade in the weight room. Kondikoff said that players lift in the off-season as part of their workout regimen, and then qualify for the competition by scores accumulated in their bench press and squat totals.

The grind of lifting in a sweltering weight room can become monotonous, and Kondikoff said the title of the "World's Strongest Zephyr" at the end of the year gives them something to shoot for during all those long hours working out.

"It's just a celebration of really hard work," he said.

This year they competed in five events, including the sled pull, bucket hold, tire flip, obstacle course and tug-of-war.

In the sled pull, competitors have to run 20 yards with weight attached to the sled. The bucket hold features competitors in each weight class holding buckets containing 10 pounds apiece. They have to hold the buckets straight out from their body, competing against one another to see who's the last man standing.

The tire flip utilizes tractor tires in a test of speed and strength as competitors flip the tires in a 10-yard race. The obstacle course, a race that varies every year, said Kondikoff, will feature crab walks or shuttle runs over a designed course that marries agility and endurance with a bit of zaniness.

The competition ends with the tug-of-war. Kondikoff said it's not only a test of strength, but also requires a mental toughness that makes it the most difficult event among the five. It's mano- a-mano in a brutal test of strength and will.

He said it's a time where competitors have to dig down deep, "straining and digging" to bring that ribbon onto their side.

"It's something where you have to keep up mentally and overcome exhaustion," he said.

While the competition serves as the basis for being named the World's Strongest Zephyr, the preliminaries are perhaps the most highly anticipated part of the proceedings.

Kondikoff said that each competitor chooses a costume and then puts on a skit as they are introduced to the crowd. Accompanying this entrance is music which serves as the backdrop to their dramatic (or comical) arrival.

"It's a chance for them to be really creative," he said.

Kondikoff said it's also enjoyable for the spectators, especially the parents who get to see something different, and witness how determined the participants are who are competing to be the WSZ.

This year's winners were Matt Meyers in the heavyweight division; Anthony Dex was the middleweight champ, and Chad Rex was the lightweight winner

Kondikoff said that Rex has won the lightweight division two years in a row.

Additionally, Jake Buskirk won for Best Costume.

After a long winter and a full round of spring practices, the WSZ is a chance for the players to have fun, bond with one another, while rewarding hard work and achievement.

"It's just a good time," said Kondikoff.