Hometown:

Originally Buffalo, New York, now San Antonio

Date of Birth:

July 30, 1964

Occupation:

United States Air Force; Master Sergeant in the Air Education and Training Command Computer System Squadron

Current Wt. Class:

242 lb.

Best Lifts:

Meets:

Biography:

MSgt White enlisted in the Air Force on September 10, 1982. After completion of basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, in October 1982, MSgt White attended the aircraft armament technical training course at Lowry Air Force Base, Colorado. He served as aircraft armament technician for the next five years with assignments to George Air Force Base, California and Hahn AB, Germany.

Upon returning to the states, and being assigned to Norton AFB, California, MSgt White re-trained into the Antenna Maintenance career field. Sixteen months later, due to the deactivation of the Engineering and Installation unit, he PCS'ed to Patrick AFB, Florida. That is where MSgt White begin recreational weightlifting. For the next 4 1/2 years MSgt White, trained and dedicated himself to weightlifting.

In 1992, MSgt was reassigned to Incirlik AB, Turkey as assistant NCOIC Antenna Maintenance work center. Luckily, that is where MSgt White met MSgt Gene Bell, who convinced him to enter his first bench press contest. That boost from MSgt Bell started a friendship and a successful powerlifting career that would last until the present.

In 1994, due to downsizing, MSgt White was forced to re-train and was assigned to Randolph AFB, Texas as a Command Radio Spectrum Manager. MSgt White entered his first full meet in March 1995. He placed first in 220-pound class and placed first in open bench, military bench and second overall. MSgt White continued his winning ways in 1995, and won the 220-pound weight class Texas State bench press Championships.

Due to the unrelated sport injury, MSgt White did not compete again until he met up with MSgt Bell at Ramstein Germany, in 1997. As a USAFE Spectrum Manager, MSgt White placed second in the USAFE Powerlifting Championships. After a year of learning and hard training, MSgt White competed in and won the 220-pound class at the USAFE Championships. He also captured the 220-pound class European Armed Forces Championships. A division he would dominate the next three years, winning best lifter in 2001. In June of 2000, MSgt White traveled to Nevada and competed in the AAU Nationals. He won first in the 220-pound class military and bench open, while placing second overall.

In July of 2001, MSgt White was re-assigned to Randolph AFB, Texas, as the Superintendent, Frequency Management Officer. He was able to continue his winning ways under the guidance of MSgt Bell. In September of 2001, MSgt White competed in USAPL Nation Bench Press Championships. He lifted a personal best of 485 pounds, placing first in the military and seventh in the nation at 220 pounds. Two months later, MSgt White competed and won the Longhorn Open in Austin, Texas. He won first place in the bench and open 242 pounds weight class and best in heavy weight lifter.

MSgt White contributes his success to God, his loving family and outstanding coaches, who gave him encouragement and guidance over the years. They are SMSgt Greg Goodrich, SMSgt Kevin Allen, CMSgt Rob Pittman, and last, but, not least, MSgt Gene Bell. MSgt Bell continues to train and guide MSgt White's powerlifting career to the highest achievable level possible.

A Powerful Memory:

The most powerful memory I have is the 2001 United States Air Force in Europe (USAFE) Championships. I was the only male from the team to make the trip to England for the meet. So, I had to prepare myself without the support of teammates. This was my first time going to a meet alone. I was leading the 220-weight class after squat and bench. I missed my first attempt on deadlift of 622. My opponent made his of 633, which narrowed my lead. On my second attempt I pulled a 633, my opponent pulled a 660. With the pressure mounting my and win streak in jeopardy. I pulled a 666.5. My opponent had to pull a 700, to beat me. He made a valiant effort, but the bar stopped at his knees. I knew then that I had the mental toughness to make it in the sport.