Brent McCune

Brent began his weightlifting career in 1980 when he joined a gym in California after he noticed that his strength was "slipping" a little. After several years of following a bodybuilder's routine he came to the conclusion that he had lost a lot of weight and he looked good but he felt that he was still not as strong as he thought he should be at that time. He then began to train with heavier and heavier weights and a powerlifter was born. For the next three years he trained only two basic lifts; the benchpress and the squat. About two years into this training mode he was introduced to the deadlift.

In 1984, Brent decided to enter his first powerlifting meet; an unsanctioned meet being held at an Air Force Base. After struggling with his squat opener until his third attempt he went on to place second in his first ever meet.

After this success he began to compete in USPF meets throughout California; especially after that organization introduced a drug tested division. Over the next six years Brent competed in five to eight meets each year and never placed lower than third in any meet.

Many of the competitions Brent competed in were held on Santa Barbara, California's East Beach. These meets were frequently entered by a number of celebrities and some people who had boa constrictors around there necks at the venue. When competing at these meets Brent had the opportunity to compete with and interact with a number of famous powerlifters such as Fred Hatfield, Paul Wrenn, Larry Kidney, Sam Samaniago, Jim Lem, Ernie Surrell, Terry McCormack and many others.

During this period of his career as a powerlifter Brent became aware of the American Drug Free Powerlifting Association (ADFPA) which became the USA Powerlifting (USAPL). Since that time he has been an ardent and active supporter of the ADFPA/USAPL and has served both the National and State organizations in many capacities. Throughout his career Brent has served as the USAPL Colorado State Chairman and as a member of the USAPL's National Governing Body. He has made many contributions to both the ADFPA and the USAPL as a highly respected competitor, official and state chairman.

In USAPL ceased to exist in Colorado and Brent took the initiative in reviving drug free powerlifting in the state by volunteering to serve as our State Chairman and directing the next USAPL Colorado State Powerlifting and Benchpress Championships. While serving in this position he sacrificed his time and personal finances in order to insure that we as members of the USAPL were once again able to compete in an organized, drug tested environment without having to travel to other states.

In his career as a competitive powerlifter Brent has won many USAPL state and national titles as well as a number of world titles through the World Drug Free Powerlifting Association (WDFPA). He has competed as a member of one USAPL World Masters Team and has been nominated to several other world teams. In addition he holds a number of USAPL/ADFPA American and National records as well as a number of WDFPA World records.

In 2004 Brent suffered a major injury to his back which resulted in major surgery. Since his surgery he has decided that he will retire from competing in powerlifting although he has recently begun to train lightly and thinks that in the future he "may" be able to do an occasional benchpress competition.

While discussing his powerlifting career Brent recently said, "I have made countless friends over the twenty years I have been involved in the heaviest of sports. I have enjoyed enormously my association with the fine lifters and officials in the USAPL, IPF, WDFPA USPF and NASA. I am especially proud of the members of USAPL Colorado who chipped in and refused to let our organization wither away. Thanks for the memories. And look out, I could come back."

Brent we are all especially proud of you. You have been a teacher, a leader and mentor to all of us in many ways. We have all gained valuable lessons in powerlifting as well as in life through our having been able to know you.