The 1970's started with the first official N.C. Powerlifting Championships in 1970. By 1972 there were many large meets in N.C.
Joe Daniel from Henderson was a visionary who held many of the first big meets in N.C. and put together many of the teams.
Gene Neal
Team from Henderson in the early 1970's
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1. Mike Clark 123 lb class Champion
2. Mike Buchanan 123 lb Champion who later squatted mid 300's before wraps and suits
3. Spot Burwell 165 and 181 lb lifter
4. Jerry McGee 198 lb lifter ...almost 400 bench press
5. Big Gene Neal N.C.'s first heavyweight
6. Joe Daniel Coach
Wayne heath also lifted at 132
Eugene Holt Neal was the first heavyweight in N.C. He ruled N.C. in the '70's Notice then lifters walked forward out of the squat racks, were allowed pads, and could put boards under their feet.
Tommy Newnam was one of the big benchers of that era bench pressing as much as 365 as a 165 lb lifter. Notice the primitive benches that were used. Lifters could wear ace bandages on their elbows which would offer only limited support.
Although lifting was essentially raw, lifters like Don Long (shown squatting 660) ofter wore cutoff jeans or football pants under their trunks to provide extra support. Don ruled the 242's
In 1972 Gene Neal became the first man in N.C. to deadlift 700
Bobby Pugh entered many meets and took home first place, winning many of the first state meets at 181, 198, and even 220 in 1973 when he did 575 squat, 430 bench and 570 deadlift to beat Don Long . Pugh dropped to 181 then to 165 to set world bench press record of 395 at 165 (no bench shirts back then)
By the mid 1970's Master lifter R.L. Gurley out lifted all the other 220's and included a 605 squat and 460 bench
The legendary Bill Cook lifted in many early meets and set wecords.
Jimmy Leek (above) could squat 400 and deadlift 490 at 123 and Byron Swain (right) deadlifted 500 at 132
Gene Neal ruled the heavyweights. Lifters like Bill Cook or J.V. Roberson always placed second .
Bill Cook J.V. Roberson
The Bench press was held first, followed by the squat then deadlift.
The weight on the bar started out at the lowest amount and rose until all the lifts were completed. Thus a lifter taking two attempts with close weights might follow himself. In the squat the lifter walked forward out of the racks. Lifters often wore street shoes and one piece uniforms were not mandatory. On the knees only ace bands were allowed and there was a time when even they were not allowed. Nevertheless there were big lifts raw.
R.L. Gurley was one of our first powerlifters and champions
