Eugene Holt Neal was the first heavyweight powerlifter in N.C. and the first man in N.C. to deadlift 700. He started out in 1969 and reigned supreme as heavyweight for over 10 years. Big Gene would often lift in the All-South, Southern open, Henderson , and State meets. His best deadlift was 741, Squat 680 and Bench 460. His lifts were without any lifting gear. In 1973 he was in the top 10 in the country.