Members

Greg "G-Rex" Tillinghast
Career:  Co-owner of a pool service company
Hobby/Interests:  Reading, powerlifting, drawing, movies
Sports I've participated in:  Soccer, football, baseball, powerlifting, volleyball
Why I started powerlifting:  I was working out to stay in shape when I met a few powerlifters at my gym.  I started to pick the brain of one of those powerlifters when he invited me to train with them.  I started lifting with them about 9 years ago, did my first meet in May 2002, and have never looked back.  
Proudest moment:  Other than meeting my wife at a powerlifting meet, my proudest moments in powerlifting would have to be when I set the WPC full meet bench press record with a 777 pound bench at APF Senior Nationals in June 2007, and when I successfully hit a 1003 squat at APF Submaster Nationals May 2009.
Goals:  Win APF Senior Nationals and win WPC Worlds

Heather Tillinghast
Career/Education:  Doctorate in Physical Therapy 
Hobby/Interests:  Reading, sewing, crafts of all types, trying to teach our pack of dogs new tricks
Sports I've participated in:  Dancing, gymnastics, cheerleading, track, powerlifting
Why I started powerlifting:  I had been involved in competitive sports since the age of 5.  After a serious injury, I had to retire from dancing and gymnastics.  This was hard to accept, and I felt like my athletic life was over.  One day in 2005, an acquaintance mentioned that he had recently got involved in a sport called powerlifting.  He felt that I might enjoy it, and, even more, I might be good at it.  So, I researched it and eventually got in touch with some powerlifters in Arizona (Raging Inferno Power).  I started training with a small crew in late November 2005.  From day one, I was hooked.  Despite moving, injuries and going to graduate school, I never ventured too far from powerlifting since that day, including getting involved in the running of meets and judging.
Proudest moment:  My proudest accomplishment is probably graduating with my doctorate in physical therapy.  It was no easy feat, but it had been a goal of mine since I was a young teenager.  My proudest powerlifting accomplishment is that I stuck with powerlifting after 4 surgeries (1 ankle, 2 shoulder and 1 wrist).  And, when I was finally ready to compete both physically and mentally, I did... and had success and fun doing it.
Goals:  Help Greg reach his goals and continue to have to set new ones for myself.

Katie "Killer" Menzer
Career:  Marketing/PR
Hobby/Interests:  Baking, crosswords, learning Spanish, sewing fashionable powerlifting gear and pretending I will someday be a contestant on Project Runway.
Sports I've participated in:  Swimming, running and powerlifting
Why I started powerlifting:  I've always done something sporty. I started out as a swimmer and runner in my younger days. I even went through an embarrassing step aerobics phase. I like a challenge, and I lift heavy weights because it's hard.
Proudest moment:  Honestly, my best powerlifting accomplishment is finding this team (cue the violins). I would never have been able to lifts the weights I can without my Alpha teammates. They've taught me everything I know and they give me the confidence to believe I can do this. They've also prevented me from being crushed beneath hundreds of pounds of weights too many times to count.
Goals:  To make my mother proud.

Logan Lacy
Education:  Currently attending University of Texas at Arlington, majoring in Kinesiology on a clinical research track
Sports I've participated in: Played one year of football at University of Mary Hardin Baylor and part of a season with Abilene Christian University
Why I started powerlifting: At ACU, I received my seventh concussion playing football. I was struggling to find a sport I could compete in when I met a gentleman by the name of Adam Patterson who suggested powerlifting. I was then introduced to Chase Kiser who got me geared up and I started on my first training program. Chase drove me to my first meet in Seguin, TX on June 7, 2008. 
Proudest moment: My proudest moment, thus far, would have to be the Best of the Best in the Midwest meet held Feb. 6, 2010. I hit three out of four milestones on the day with a 1014.1 pound squat, 804.7 pound bench, and totaling 2502. The best part of that day was after the 804.7 bench hearing Greg yell, “F&*$ yeah!”
Goals: I would like to squat 1100, break into the 900 lbs bench club, and deadlift mid 700s.

Jeremy Brinkley
Career:  Software Engineer
Sports I've participated in:  I've not participated in any sports other than powerlifting.
Why I started powerlifting:  I initially started lifting weights to bulk up.  I quickly decided that I liked the idea of actually being strong as opposed to just looking strong, and I restructured my training to achieve this goal.  Eventually, I decided that I'd like to do this competively and found a powerlifting gym to train at.
Proudest moment:  When I received the phone call saying that I was hired for the software engineering job I currently have.  This was my first job out of college, I was unemployed and had about $100 in my bank account.  Other than that, I'd say gaining 130 pounds since high school.  I graduated weighing about 120 pounds at 6' tall.  One day, I decided to start shoving food down my throat, and haven't stopped since.

Chase Kiser
Education:  Finance degree from Abilene Christian University
Hobby/Interests:  Powerlifting, watching football, watching UFC, hanging out with my wife and friends
Sports I've participated in:  Powerlifting, football, basketball, soccer, track
Why I started powerlifting:  I started lifting in high school to get stronger for football. My senior year Ken Lain started showing me better technique and giving me advice and my passion for lifting just kept growing. 
Goals:  Squat 800, Bench 500, Deadlift 700, Total 2000 at 198.

Jonathan "J-Mont" Montgomery
Career/Education:  Work at Smith-Thompson security; majoring in Exercise Science/Kinesiology and History
Hobby/Interest:  Sports of all kinds, getting out of the house, lifting weights, and staying active.
Sports I've participated in:  Football, basketball, track, powerlifting, and baseball
Why I started powerlifting:  I've always enjoyed pushing my body to do things most wouldn't or couldn't.  I was in need of a new challenge and powerlifting has offered me that.

Clint Medford
Career/Education:  Real Estate Investor; BA degree in Communications from Eastern Washington University
Hobby/Interest:  Right now, all hobbies and interests are second to powerlifting.  Others are restoring 60's muscle cars, reading and taking the family on trips.
Sports I've participated in:  Football, powerlifting, bodybuilding and judo
Why I started powerlifting:  I got drawn into in back in college by the gym owner.  I did 2 meets then hung up the "super suit" for 27 years.  Cameron's (my son) school has a powerlifting team, and he wanted someone to train with in the off season, so I got back into it again.  This time, it's a LOT more enjoyable with the great guidance and help I get from Greg and Heather and all the "knuckle draggers" at the gym.
Proudest moment:  Too many to list.
Goals:  To reach Elite status in the 220 AAPF division, and to be THE American Record holder in my class.

Erik "Big E" Stark
Career:  Tire Sales
Hobby/Interests:  Traveling
Sports I've participated in:  Basketball, bull riding
Why I started powerlifting:  I've always liked lifting weights.  Powerlifting just gave me a new challenge.
Proudest moment:  It would have to be when I competed at AWPC worlds.
Goals:  To continue lifting until I'm old.

Jason "Doc" Venn
Career:  Chiropractor
Hobby/Interests:  Anything health and wellness related
Sports I've participated in:  Soccer, karate, boxing, football, powerlifting
Why I started powerlifting:  I originally started lifting for football in the 7th grade.  I've loved it from the first day.  Training is a constant challenge to better myself.  Every single day gives me the chance to beat my previous best.
Proudest moment:  I am most proud of the fact that with all of my injuries, I haven't quit.  In a sport that is based on working through pain, I have seen countless guys come and go.  They couldn't hack it.  Either the workouts were too hard or it took too much dedication.  After injuring and re-injuring my lower back on several occasions, still having pain (sometimes severe) with every single squat and deadlift workout, I have not and will not quit.  I am proud of the fact that I continue on and work through pain that most people couldn't imagine and would run from at the first opportunity.  I continue to do what most people can't... and won't.
Goals:  Total elite

Collin Deadman
Education:   B.S. in Kinesiology from University of North Texas
Hobby/Interests:   Other than weightlifting, I love spending time with my family and girlfriend.  I like to watch movies, play basketball and anything else outdoors.
Why I started powerlifting:   I had been weightlifting for 8+ years, and it was beginning to get old.  I thought my body was done growing but have learned otherwise.  I have gotten stronger and put on a considerable amount of size and thickness.  Joining the Alpha team has helped motivate me and has inspired me as well. 
Proudest moment:   2004 NGA Southern States Natural Extravaganza - won 1st place in the Lightweights and Overall Champion   
Goals:   I want to continue to make progress.

Morgan Lacy
Career:    Student
Sports I've participated in:  High school football  
Why I started powerlifting:  Greg and Heather Tillinghast have gotten me started and are training me. 
Goals:    My goal is to be squatting close to 900, benching at least 600 and deadlifting 600 by the end of this year.

Raymond "BigDamRay" Pierce
Career:  Network Center Technician for AT&T; also currently working towards a double MBA that focuses on Project Management/networking and telecommunications.
Hobby/Interests:  Besides work, working out, and going to school, I enjoy going to the movies and hanging out good friends.
Sports I've participated in:  Bowling, Bodybuilding, Powerlifting
Why I started powerlifting:  I did my first bodybuilding show when I was 19 years old.  I wanted to get bigger and thicker.  Steve Goggins walked into the gym where I was training--he was the biggest man that I had ever seen.  He started training me and took me to my first meet.  I’ve been hooked ever since!
Proudest moment:  My proudest moments were when I squatted 1003 pounds, benched 628 pounds, deadlifted 710 pounds, and totaled Elite in 3 different weight classes (220, 242, 275).

Terry Lancaster
Career/Education:  Owner of a financial consulting business; BBA in Finance from University of North Texas
Hobby/Interests:  Besides powerlifting, I enjoy boating and tennis.
Sports I've participated in:  Football, tennis, track and powerlifting
Why I started powerlifting:  I've been lifting weights since I was 8 years old.  I lived next door to an Olympic weightlifter that taught me how to lift, and I've been lifting ever since.  At the age of 59, I started lifting with the University of North Texas powerlifting team.  They convinced me to compete with them as an alumni.
Proudest moment:  At the WPC World Championships in Russia, I broke Ernie Frantz's records in the bench and deadlift in the 100 kilo master 65-70 division.  To this day, the record books still show I hold these records and Ernie Frantz holds the squat and total records.  It is an honor to see my name next to Ernie Frantz's, the founder of the American Powerlifting Federation.  Besides that, I have won 8 powerlifting world championships held in Canada; Las Vegas, NV; Fresno, CA; New York; Helsinki, Finland; Togliatti, Russia; West Palm Beach, FL; and Bournmouth, England.
Goals:  To stay healthy.

James "Big Trey" Love
Career/Education:  "Wrench Bender"
Hobby/Interests:  Fixing things, training, motorcycles, and watercraft
Sports I've participated in:  Football, track and field, swimming, and Grecko Roman wrestling
Why I started powerlifting:  My dad got me into lifting when I was young, and I always seemed to come back to it.  Later, my brother got me started in powerlifting and encouraged me to pursue it.  Now, it's what keeps me sane.
Proudest moment:  Going to bed every night knowing that I gave the day all I had.
Goals:  Every day, wake up and live my proudest moment again and again.

Stewart "Stewie" Siemantel
The mystery Alpha member...