Born: October 22, 1962

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Hometown: Beulah, AL

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Current Residence: West Point, GA

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What is your Alabama Connection? Raised in Alabama moved to Georgia after I got married.

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Current Pursuits in life & powerlifting:

I work for Kia Georgia manufacturing in West Point, Ga as a sales and export program manager

 

Contributing History:

When did you get involved with powerlifting and what got you interested in the sport?

I started weightlifting relatively late in life. In 1995, I joined Pegasus Gym in Lanett, AL to tone muscles and help with weight control. I NEVER dreamed of becoming a competitive powerlifter. I was working out by myself 3-4 times per week. I was approached by a couple of the gym guys about working out with them. I said sure. I did not realize it at the time, but they were powerlifters and they needed a woman on the team. I got drafted. Roy Hughley became my unofficial coach and workout partner (We worked out together until his death in 2005).

 

How many years have you contributed? 30 years and still counting

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Between what year and what year did you contribute? 1997 – present. I’m still refereeing.

 

How many meets have you contributed to: I’d say 80+

 

How many Local/State meets have you contributed to?

2-3 per year average some years more for the last 28 yrs

 

How many Regional meets have you contributed to? 15+

 

How many National Meets have you contributed to? 7+, 5 special Olympic nationals

• USAPL Meets:

• Collegiate Nationals x 2

• American Open

• Bench Nationals

• Military Nationals x2

• Raw Nationals

• Special Olympic Nationals 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026

 

How many World Meets have you contributed to? 1

IPF Meets:

• Special Olympic Worlds 2015

 

Were you a judge? What level of judge and what Federation(s) did you judge? 

USAPL – State and National level judge, Powerlifting America, PA – National level judge

In 1997, I was approached by Billy Keel about becoming a State referee. He was, at the time, the Alabama State Special Olympics powerlifting director, and needed help with competitions. I agreed to take the state test and I helped him with my first special Olympics in Tuscaloosa Al shortly after becoming a state referee.

In 2011, I tested for USAPL National Referee at the Masters Nationals in Atlanta. The area needed more National referees so I said “yes” again.

 

Were you a meet director? No, but I assisted with powerlifting meets at Pegasus Gym in Lanett, AL and at Helen Keller in Talladega, AL.

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Did you help with other meets? What capacity did you help? (Announcer, score table, spot/loader, expediter etc. )

Several in Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee. In all capacities listed above

 

Were you a coach/Mentor for other lifters? Yes, Special Olympics

 

What years did you coach/mentor? Early 2000s, the lifter won gold at SO state games. I also assisted Mr Keel with one of his lifters who lived in my area during the summer, she won gold at nationals that year.

 

How many did you coach/mentor? 2

 

What are your most memorable contributions? 

Working with Special Olympics and all capacities

 

Who are some of the most memorable people/lifters for you in your career?

Roy Hughley – My coach and lifting partner

Billy Keel – for involving me as a referee and giving me many learning opportunities through the years.

There are many more friends that I’ve made through powerlifting that are two numerous count.

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With your name as part of the history of powerlifting in Alabama, what would you like to be most remembered for?

Working with Special Olympics

 

What words of wisdom would you like to pass down to future powerlifters?

Never stop pulling!

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Lifting History:

How many years did you compete? 4

Between what year and what year did you compete? 1996 – 1999

How many meets did you compete in? 10+

What weight class(es) did you compete in? 123 and 148