History of MN ADFPA 1984-1997

Ron Hoff squat at 1997 ADFPA MN State. Spotters are Dr. Fred Clary and Darwin Jacobson,

This document is written to preserve the history of MN ADFPA. Records, meet results, events and photos of the time-period have been lost, destroyed and or forgotten. There was no internet, cell phone cameras etc. to capture history. And…as it was pointed out to me the other day, there are fewer of us all the time to recall these events.

The early years

In 1984 Al Christianson, Duane Frion and Steve Johnson (Ham Lake) formed the MN Natural Powerlifting Association because of a need for organized, drug tested powerlifting competition in MN. Several power meets were held in the Anoka area by this group.  About 1986 this organization transitioned into the ADFPA with Al Christianson becoming the first MN ADFPA state chair on record.  

Soon after the ADFPA began to grow nationally and locally. Sanctioned, drug tested powerlifting meets were held throughout MN. I joined the ADFPA in 1986 but never competed in MN until the 1988 ADFPA MN State Powerlifting Championships in Mankato. This 2 platform meet, directed by Fred Bock, saw an amazing 22 lifters entered in the 165s alone. Mike Hartle and Bob Sainati took over the MN State meet in 1989.  The next year, Mike split the meet into a Jr State / Sr State format and ran it the next 4 years as split contests.

Key to the early success of MN ADFPA, but never lifted in competition, was David Siegler our MN State secretary. David was an IT professional who created a data base of all registered lifters and lifts from MN ADFPA sanctioned contests. As meet directors, all we would do is notify David of upcoming meets and he would print mailing labels and after the meet, crunch the numbers and print out results complete with new State, National and American records by category. David also was a National referee and officiated at local and national contests.

The MN Police and Fire Powerlifting group were very instrumental in supporting and getting the MN ADFPA going. Key members were Steve Johnson from Ham Lake, Fred Bock, Pat Beaumaster,  Bruce Johnson and Archie Langdon from Rochester, MN. Eventually MN would host a Police and Fire Nationals in St Louis Park. (It is important to note there are 2 Steve Johnsons instrumental in the development of the ADFPA in MN. Steve Johnson from Ham Lake and Steve Johnson from Kasson, both good guys).

The growth years

Around 1989, Erin Feldges, who was employed by Northwest Racquet, Swim and Health Clubs began holding powerlifting organizational meetings, administering referee tests and promoting the ADFPA big time. NW Racquet purchased tons of powerlifting equipment including numerous sets of hydraulic and electric driven squat racks, competition benches, power bars, York plates, Elite deadlift bars etc. not only setting them up for power training in their gyms, but also making them available to local ADFPA meet directors. All we had to do was pick them up and bring them back when finished. In 1990 Erin was awarded the first of several National ADFPA and World WDFPF Championships, The High School Nationals in St Louis Park. Due to the need for local National Referees for this and future national/world meets, Bob Sainati, David Siegler, Mike Hartle, Scott Safe and I became national referees.The Northwest Open Powerlifting Championships began about 1991 at the St Louis Park location and was as spectacular and well organized as any national meet at that time. Huge electronic scoreboard, raised platform etc.

Brad Madvig at an earlier ADFPA Northwest Open

Meet results of 1996 ADFPA Northwest Open in Fridley, MN (click image to enlarge)

ADFPA sanctioned power meets were beginning to happen all over the state. Meet participation and state membership surged. Suddenly we had meets in Foley, Kasson-Mantorville, Hermantown, Rochester, Cannon Falls, Perham in addition to several Minneapolis/St Paul locations.

A periodic printed state newsletter was mailed to all members to keep all informed of upcoming events, meet results and other items of interest. I also started an internet web page called MN Power Pages which Brad Madvig later inherited.

Brian Hudyma at Hawk Country Open in Hermantown, MN

National and World Championships were brought to MN. In addition to the previously mentioned High School Nationals in 1990, Moore Lake Racquet and Health Club in Fridley and Erin Feldges hosted The Men’s Nationals in 1992 and the 1995 WDFPF Worlds. Participants representing MN at the 1992 Men’s Nationals included Ron Hoff, Jeff Reinardy, Karl Gillingham, Mitch Edelstein and Brad Gillingham.  Mike Hartle also directed a Collegiate Nationals at The Northwest College of Chiropractic in Bloomington in a theatre setting with stage lighting and great spectator sight lines. MN State Championships were held annually with Men’s, Women’s, Masters and Teen/Junior categories. Memorable performances during the growth years included Brad Gillingham’s first 800 lb. deadlift at Concordia College in St Paul in 1995 and Erin Eisenberg becoming the first MN woman to total over 1000 lbs.

Brad Gillingham 800 lb DL at "The Seniors"

The 1995 MN State was the held at Concordia College in St. Paul, directed by Mike Mitchell of Twin Cities Gym. Lifter(s) of the year awards for 1994 were awarded to Ron Hoff and Brenda Gnerre for their accomplishments. The results and newsletter write up. I directed the 1996 MN State in Brooklyn Center and Barry Edelstein / Fred Clary directed the 1997 MN State back at Concordia in St Paul.

Mitch Edelstein 700 lb DL at MN Star of the North Games in Fargo

MN Lifters at ADFPA National Championships 
Information exists on the Men's Nationals, all other National meets have been created from memory.

Men's Nationals: Michael Ricker, Scott Safe, Jeff Reinardy, Karl Gillingham, Mitch Edelstein, Ron Hoff (National and World Champion), Gary Baker, Brad Gillingham, Pat Beaumaster and Michael Hartle.  (Michael Ricker @198 deadlifted 705 lbs. at age 18 at the first ever ADFPA Men's Nationals in 1982).

Women's Nationals: Barb Vincent (National and World Champion), Erin Eisenberg (National and World Champion) and Majik Jones.  (Majik Jones @123 lbs. deadlifted 402 lbs.  A longstanding, retired record).

Teen/Jr Nationals: Mike Karo, Jim Cahill (National and World Champion) Mike Siegler, Chuck Kantor, Mike Bannich and Brian How.

Master's Nationals: Ron Foreman (National and World Champion), Roy Simmons (National and World Champion), Brian Hudyma (National Champion), Roger Davis (National Champion), Mike Dunn, Dennis Green, Bob Sainati, Darryl Schmidt, Roy Mason, Sid Reid, John Ruiz, Jack Annis, Joel Bernsten, Tom Haggenmiller, Fred King, Dan Rgnonti and Jim Todd.

Collegiate Nationals: Michael Hartle, Jim Cahill and Mike Siegler.

Many contributed greatly to the success of the ADFPA back in the day including Erin Feldges, Scott Safe, David Siegler, Bill Omundson, Steve Johnson, Ron Hoff, Mike Hartle, Bob Sainati, Brad and Karl Gillingham, Dennis Green, Northwest Racquet, Swim and Heath, Twin Cities Gym, The Gym of Plymouth, Safe USA and so many others too numerous to mention. We saw many fine young lifters like Brad Madvig, Erin Eisenberg, Nick Tylutki and Jim Cahill get their start with us. A spirit of cooperation began between lifters from various gyms and organizations. I recall Jerry Jones, Darwin Jacobson, Paul Whitney and many others pitching in to help make my meets a success. This spirit of cooperation continues to grow today.

End of the era

1997 was the year the ADFPA changed its name, started doing business as USAPL and also changed their international affiliation from the WDFPF to the IPF.  I am proud of my ADFPA years and all that was accomplished by everyone.

Dennis Green
Published 1/6/2018  Last Revision 3/22/2020