4/3/05
General-how old you are, what you do, where you live, where you grew up and anything else general you'd like to add about your life outside powerlifting:
I am 25 years old. I’m an Architecture / CAD teacher at Lincoln-Way High School. I live in Manhattan, IL. I grew up in Lemont, IL and attended Lemont High School. I then went to Western Illinois University where I got my B.S. in Construction and CAD. I also played football for the Leathernecks for 4 years. Besides teaching and coaching football and baseball in Lincoln-Way, I spend my spare time racing a 1972 Chevy Nova at Route 66 Raceway. I compete in their Pro E.T. bracket series.
Your best lifts in powerlifting in competition and training, and at what weight:
In training my bests are Squat 640, Bench 405, Deadlift 496.
In competition my bests are Squat 617, Bench 385, Deadlift 512, Total 1515.
All of these were done at 242.
Your proudest accomplishments in powerlifting:
I competed in my first meet on 3/13/2005, I’m proud I got my first meet under my belt, I’m sure as I start competing more I’ll have more things to be proud of.
Your best moment in powerlifting:
I guess anytime your in Frantz’s basement and have 600 plus pounds on your back and Ernie Frantz tells you your squat was plenty deep is a great moment.
Your ultimate goal in powerlifting:
I’d someday like to total 1800lbs. I’d also like to eventually have my own high school weight room of my own design where I can train high school athletes for their individual sports.
How you got involved in powerlifting:
All throughout high school and college I was always in the weight room. Yes because I had to be there for the sports I played, but also because I loved going there. I always loved being in the weight room and always looked for a little extra to do. I had a friend Matt Ludwig who asked me one day to try out this sport called powerlifting. He told me the three main lifts squat, bench, dead lift, and said I should give it a try. I did, got hooked, now that’s what I train for.
Type of training you adhear to:
I work all three lifts once a week. Squats and dead lifts where usually alternated between light weeks and heavy weeks. That has now changed to more of a heavy singles routine. I’m trying something new with bench. A 12 week cycle 2 weeks, 5x5, 4 weeks 4x4, 3 weeks 3x3, 2 weeks 2x2, and a final week 1x1. It’s a combination of bench press and board pressing. On days I’m not working the big three I do all my assistance training to make sure my smaller muscle groups are getting worked.
Type of gear you use and how you use it in your training:
For squat I have a pair of double ply poly Frantz briefs, a Frantz double canvas squat suit, tp5000 knee wraps, and wrestling shoes. For the bench I have an old hand-me-down double denim bench shirt, Inzer Iron Z wrist wraps. And for dead lift I use my canvas squat suit for sumo style, or my first original 2 ply poly Frantz squat suit for conventional, and my wrestling shoes.
The people who have most influenced your training and powerlifting career in general:
I’d have to say Matt Ludwig would be my number 1. Without him mentioning this awesome sport to me I may have never known it was out there. He has also helped guide me in writing out workouts and training regimens. In the past 4 months I’ve been fortunate enough to train with the legendary Ernie Frantz. With his coaching and inspiration he’s made me a much better lifter. Not just physically but mentally as well.
Your training partners and how they affect your training:
Throughout high school and college I always had a team to train with. Since I’ve been out of college and moved away from home I no longer have the same group to train with. Most of the time I lift alone in my school weight room way before the sun comes up usually with a couple other teachers none of which are into the type of training I do. It was an entirely new thing for me to go to Frantz’s basement on a Saturday morning. And since that first day I’ll continue to go unless I have a football or baseball conflict. It’s a great feeling to be surrounded by 10-15 lifters all with the same goal. All of these lifters who at any time are willing to drop whatever they are doing and spot you on your next lift or scream their head off to make sure you complete it.
How long do you see yourself continuing powerlifting:
I’d like to lift till possibly 80 or 90. Just like that chakita banana guy. With a lot of powerlifting articles I read your body peaks in powerlifting when you’re older not when you’re younger. So I figure by 85ish I should be ready for 1000.
Your opinion of the supportive equipment used in powerlifting:
I believe there is nothing cooler then raw strength. But I also think when gear is added it makes this sport safer and more exciting. Without gear you will not see people lift the amazing masses they do in suits and shirts. I don’t know how or when, but someday there will have to be a limit to what supportive equipment can do for a lifter. But until then I’m always excited to see the new materials that are made to lift in.
Your opinion of drug testing in the sport:
I think it is needed in the sport to keep the playing field level. I myself have never and will never use a banned substance. It wouldn’t feel right not practicing what I preach to my student/athletes everyday.
Your opinion of the professional movement in powerlifting like the WPO and Mountaineer Cup:
I think having the professional level of powerlifting is a great thing to have. It gives everyone something to shoot for. We have all kinds of athletes going to the NFL, NBA, MLB, why not to the WPO?
What do you think about the Olympic movement in powerlifting:
I think powerlifting in the Olympics would be great to see. To bad all of us know it would get the 3:00 am time slot and none of us will get to see it because we will be sleeping.
Anything else you would like to add:
Think Big, Work Hard, and Never be Satisfied