Meet the team:
Ervin Gainer
Doan Nguyen
Doc Holloway
Dave Weiss
Tim Taylor
Dan Austin
Ray Benemerito
Tony Conyers
Wade Hooper
Martin Beavers
Dave Ricks
Greg Jones
Rob Wagner
Shawn Cain
Tony Harris
John Kuc
Bull Stewart
Tony Cardella
Bob Dempsey
Tony Leiato
Beau Moore
Brad Gillingham
Mike Hall
Mark Henry
Brian Siders
Ervin Gainer
National Titles: 10Years: 97,98,99,00,01,02,03,04,05,06
Wt. Classes: 114
Ervin was runner up in the 1996 ADFPA Mens, and since then hasn't been beaten at the Nationals. With the 114 lb. class being retired, he will accept the challenge of moving up to 123 in 2007.
Doan Nguyen
National Titles: 5Years: 86,91,92,93,94
Wt. Classes: 114
Doan was a sturdy 114er in the early years of the ADFPA. He quietly went about business and racked up 5 wins, which puts him on this team. Especially impressive was his string of 4 straight wins.
Doc Holloway
National Titles: 4Years: 01,03,05,06
Wt. Classes: 123
Doc burst onto the National scene as a Collegiate lifter and then also decided to stake his claim in the Open division. Watch this guy at the Mens Nationals, he is all round powerful, but his pulling power is tremendous.
Dave Weiss
National Titles: 5Years: 92,93,95,96,97
Wt. Classes: 123, 132
Dave was a top performer in the mid 90's with an average margin of victory of 56 lb.s over the runner ups that he competed against. He did it in two weight classes, with his final victory at 132.
Tim Taylor
National Titles: 7Years: 86,98,99,00,01,02,03
Wt. Classes: 132
As the most prolific 132 lber we've seen, Tim was on top for a very long duration. As a member of the US Air Force, he has taken a few years of from the Mens. Make no mistakes though, he could still be a threat at any point.
Dan Austin
National Titles: 4Years: 84,98,99,01
Wt. Classes: 148,165
Dan Austin is Technique Personified. Smooth as silk, this guy not only won by large amounts but he did it while making the lifts look good. No wonder he makes his living as a strength coach.
Ray Benemerito
National Titles: 15Years: 87,88,89,93,94,95,96,97,98,99,00,01,02,03,05
Wt. Classes: 148,165,181,198,220
An ADFPA Franchise Player, Ray is the definition of Mens Nationals success. Nobody has more than his 15 titles, with the next closest lifter having 10. He is Mr. Mens Nationals.
Tony Conyers
National Titles: 3Years: 83,94,96
Wt. Classes: 148
13 years separated Tony's first and last Mens Nationals victory, a testimony to his ability to get it done over a long period of time. When he won, he won big. Nobody was even close.
Wade Hooper
National Titles: 9Years: 98,99,00,01,02,03,04,05,06
Wt. Classes: 148,165
Even after 9 years on top, his 2 IPF World Titles in the last 3 years shows us he will be on top for a very long time. He is one of the top level All-Timers in the eyes of most panelists. His 214 lb. average margin of victory is mind boggling.
Martin Beavers
National Titles: 6Years: 86,87,89,92,96,97
Wt. Classes: 165
Martin routinely moved big weights in the calmest demeanor. He was a class act and could have snagged several more titles than the whopping 6 that he won.
Dave Ricks
National Titles: 6Years: 90,91,98,99,00,06
Wt. Classes: 165,181
A 5 time IPF World Champion, at 47 years old he will be one of the oldest defending Mens Open Champions we've ever seen. A top level All-Timer with his World titles, duration and 131 lb. average margin of victory.
Greg Jones
National Titles: 4Years: 91,92,94,06
Wt. Classes: 181,198
15 years separated this stalwart's first and last Mens Nationals title. Even as a Master lifter, he can still get it done with authority.
Rob Wagner
National Titles: 4Years: 91,93,01,02
Wt. Classes: 181,198
As a strength coach Rob has made a career out of putting into practice what he teaches. Is there a more explosive squatter to be found?
Shawn Cain
National Titles: 4Years: 84,85,87,92
Wt. Classes: 198,220
If points were collected for National titles and placings through the years, Shawn Cain would be a front runner for our Mens Nationals "Career Cup". He has placed in 20 out the 24 Mens, winning 4 of them.
Tony Harris
National Titles: 8Years: 98,99,00,01,02,03,04,05
Wt. Classes: 220, 242
With a devastating squat and equally impressive deadlift, Hawaii's Tony Harris snared 8 crowns. Even as a Master lifter he is still going over 800lbs. in the squat.
John Kuc
National Titles: 4Years: 83,84,85,86
Wt. Classes: 242, 275
John Kuc was one of the first big name lifters to tread into the waters in the earliest days of the ADFPA. His 4 straight victories tells us he enjoyed the choice he made to lift with the ADFPA.
Bull Stewart
National Titles: 8Years: 87,88,89,91,92,93,94,96
Wt. Classes: 242, 275
Bull Stewart won 8 titles and was rarely pushed in each outing. With a physique to match his strength he was impressive to watch. Rumor has it that he may return in 2007. Will Bull Stewart be back? Stay tuned!
Tony Cardella
National Titles: 5Years: 01,03,04,05,06
Wt. Classes: 275
One of the best new generation lifters, Tony has showed us why he was on top of the Collegiate ranks year in and year out. Few have been to as many IPF World meets when you factor in his appearances as a Jr. as well as Open lifter.
Bob Dempsey
National Titles: 5Years: 86,90,91,92,94
Wt. Classes: 275, SHW
Taken from us much too soon, Bob Dempsey was old time strong. He was certainly capable of many more than the 5 titles he achieved.
Tony Leiato
National Titles: 3Years: 95,98,99
Wt. Classes: 275
Tony Leiato was as thick as the proverbial brick and had the power to back it up. This Hawaiian's arsenal was strong and well balanced.
Beau Moore
National Titles: 4Years: 94,95,96,97
Wt. Classes: 319, SHW
Beau Moore gives the impression that he would have fit in any era of the game. Geared or not, this guy is diesel strong.
Brad Gillingham
National Titles: 4Years: 98,99,00,01
Wt. Classes: SHW
With 2 IPF Open World Titles, Brad Gillingham is one of the USAPL's most successful Superheavyweights. As impressive as his lifts are, his character rivals his lifts. No surprise that he was the 2004 Brother Bennett Award winner.
Mike Hall
National Titles: 4Years: 84,85,86,89
Wt. Classes: SHW
Handling weights nearly two decades ago that would still stand up today, Mike Hall was strong before his time. Had it not been for a back injury he might have collected a few more titles.
Mark Henry
National Titles: 2Years: 95,97
Wt. Classes: SHW
Mark Henry is the only member with just two wins, but in those two wins he left all speechless. His 903 DL in 95 is still unsurpassed in the USAPL. He also had two 900+ lb. squats. Most impressive is that in two outings his average margin of victory was 179 lbs. and it was done raw.
Brian Siders
National Titles: 5Years: 02,03,04,05,06
Wt. Classes: SHW
Hands down the most dominant SHW we've seen, Siders has ripped off a string of 5 straight titles. His 2,573 lb. IPF WR Total makes him our best big man.
Meet the Panelists
Dr. Pat Anderson
Dr. Pat Anderson is not just a lifter, but has been a coach on several IPF World Teams. He has lifted at various levels and has a deep and vast knowledge of USA Powerlifting history.
Dennis Brady
A former ADFPA President, Dennis ran close to 30 National Championships, as well as an IPF World Championship during his long run. Dennis put Chicago on the map and made the Windy City what was nearly an annual stop on the National Meet circuit.
Shawn Cain
A member of the ADFPA since day one, if anyone knows the Mens Nationals competitors past and present, it is Shawn Cain. No lifter has been to as many as Shawn, who has placed in 20 of the 24 previously held events.
Dr. Robert Keller
Rob serves as the IPF's North American Powerlifting Federation Chairman, attends every National event the USAPL promotes and routinely travels to IPF World Championships around the globe.
Dr. Larry Maile
The current USA Powerlifting President, Larry has been involved with the ADFPA/USAPL since the mid 80's, and has captured State, National and World powerlifting titles. Larry is also an accomplished coach, having coached lifters to numerous World Championship titles.
Al Siegel
A past ADFPA President, Al not only served the ADFPA, but was a top Master lifter for a very long time. From the Keystone State of Pennsylvania, Al played a big part in the early years of the organization.
Rick Fowler
Current Missouri State Chairman, Rick Fowler has been behind the scenes of nearly 30 National events to come through St. Louis, including the 4 previous Mens Nationals held in the Gateway City.
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