John  started training at Jackals Gym in Marshall Minnesota less than 3 years ago.  He weighed 135 lbs at the time and had never touched a weight.  He had suffered several concussions playing football and hockey and was under Doctors orders to abstain from any contact sports for 12 months.  John was a neighbor to the owner of the gym building, and fellow Jackals member John Campion.  John asked if he could start lifting.  The first night John was able to bench 2-3 reps with 100 lbs and we had him squat 100.  John competed in his first meet in Kasson in April 2003 and totaled 1200 at 198. 

Since that time he has competed in 5 more meets with his only set back a disappointing bomb out at the High School Nationals in Milwaukee.  John came back strong and won his class at the Junior Nationals in Lincoln this past summer with a National Meet total record.  He began training immediately for the Sub Junior Worlds. His training went very well with only a short absence when he started his freshman year in college at hometown Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall.  His training went great with a PR 5 sets of 5 with 470 in the squat with no gear and no belt. 

His attempts were picked very conservative for the Sub -Junior Worlds.  John won Gold with 666 in the squat, Silver with 407 in the Bench, and Gold with 628 in the Deadlift for a Gold Medal winning total of 1703.  He went 8/9 with only his 2nd bench turned down on a technicality.  His total  smashed the American Record 18-19 Age Group total record for the 242 lb class.  After a short lay-off from training John will be back at Jackals Gym helping fellow gym members Brad Gillingham and Nick Tylutki get ready for the Men's IPF Worlds held in November in Capetown South Africa.

Brad Gillingham