Women’s Hall of Fame – 2005

Born: October 26, 1962
Hometown: Roanoke, Virginia
Began Lifting: 1983
Weight Class: 132

Bettina began powerlifting when she met strength coach John Gamble while attending the University of Virginia for her undergraduate degree. With six months of training under her belt, she entered her first meet competing in the 114 pound weight class and broke two state records. She could already squat 260 and bench 120 at this bodyweight. In 1984, she attended the Collegiate Nationals, which at that time fell under the sanction of the USPF. At this event, Bettina won her weight class, breaking three National Collegiate Records and was named Best Lifter. Bettina took a break for a few years as she made her way through law school and returned to the platform shortly before completing her degree.

Bettina entered her first ADFPA Women’s Nationals in 1989 and has remained committed to ethos of our organization ever since. Through out the 1990’s, Bettina had a very successful lifting career. Her accomplishments included 5 WDFPA World Titles and the IPF Women’s Championships in 1996. Her 1996 Open World Title was described as a “precision performance”, as she went 9 for 9 at that meet. Bettina’s achievements made her one of the best drug-free female lifters of the 1990’s. In the late 1990’s, Bettina experienced a hamstring injury that kept her from competing in full meets, but she remained active as a member of the National Bench Team. She attended two IPF Bench World meets. In 1997 and 2000 Bettina competed in IPF Bench World meets. In 1997 she also served as a coach.

Recovered from her injury, Bettina returned to the Women’s National platform in 2002 where she continues to dominate. She has won the past three Women’s Nationals in both the Open and Master divisions and seems to improve every year. In 2003, She placed 3rd in the IPF Open Worlds. Bettina accomplished this remarkable achievement at over forty years of age. That same year she won the IPF Master World Championships and took home best lifter. In addition, Bettina holds a number of American, National, and Master World Records. Bettina remains one of the best benchers in the country. Prior obligations prevented her from participating at the 2004 Women’s Open World Championships where her positive influence as both a lifter and a role model were sorely missed.

Along with being a great and talented lifter, Bettina is an invaluable resource to the USA Powerlifting. She has been a member of the Executive Committee since 1992, as well as serving as the organization’s legal council. At National Governing Board meetings, she is quite but purposeful in keeping the motions running smoothly and within the legal guidelines. Bettina’s certification as a CAT II referee contributes to the USA Powerlifting World Team’s obligation of providing officials at IPF World Championships.

Bettina’s Stats

Best Competition Lifts:

• Squat, 451 lbs
• Bench, 308.5 lbs
• Deadlift, 418 lbs
• Total, 1118 lbs

World Titles:

• 2003 Chicago, Illinois: IPF Women’s World Championship; 3rd Place
• 2000 Czech Republic; IPF World Bench Press Championship; 5th Place
• 1997 Canada; IPF World Bench Press Championship; 2nd Place
• 1996 Canada; IPF Women’s Powerlifting Federation
• 1994 Minnesota; WDFPF Powerlifting Championship; Best Lifter
• 1993 Canada; WDFPF Powerlifting Championship; Best Lifter
• 1992 England; WDFPF Powerlifting Championship; Best Lifter
• 1991 Australia; WDFPF Powerlifting Championship; Best Lifter
• 1992 Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania; WDFPF Bench Press Championship

National Titles:

• 2004 Omaha, Nebraska, Womena’s National; Open & Masters
• 2003 Killeen, Texas; Women’s Nationals; Best Lifter, Masters
• 2002 Chicago, Illinois; Women’s Nationals; Second Best Lifter
• 2000 St. Louis, Missouri; Bench Press Nationals
• 1999 Chicago, Illinois; Bench Press Nationals; Best Lifter
• 1998 Cleveland, Ohio; Bench Press Nationals; Best Lifter
• 1997 Newark, New Jersey; Bench Press Nationals; Best Lifter
• 1995 St. Louis, Missouri; Women’s Nationals; Best Lifter
• 1994 Chicago, Illinois; Women’s Nationals; Best Lifter
• 1993 Plainview, New York; Women’s Nationals; Best Lifter
• 1992 San Ramon, California; Women’s Nationals; Best Lifter
• 1991 Chicago, Illinois; Women’s Nationals; Best Lifter
• 1992 White Plains, New York; Deadlift Nationals; Best Lifter
• 1995, 1994 Champion, United States Powerlifting FederationNational Championships, Houston, Texas
• 1984 Champion, United States Powerlifting Federation National Collegiate Championships, Villanova, Pennsylvania

State Titles:

• 2001, 2000 USA Powerlifting
• 1994, 1993, 1992, 1991 United States Powerlifting Federation; Best Lifter
• 1994, 1993, 1990 American Drug Free Powerlifting Association
• 1988, 1984, 1983 United States Powerlifting Federation

Records:

USA Powerlifting; 129 lb weight class

• 1993, 1992, 1991 World: Squat, 429 lbs; Bench, 225 lbs; Deadlift, 402 lbs; Total, 1045 lbs
• 1994 American: Squat, 446 lbs; Bench, 253 lbs; Deadlift, 418 lbs; Total, 1107 lbs
• 1994 National: Squat, 446 lbs; Bench, 253 lbs; Deadlift, 418 lbs; Total, 1107 lbs
• 1994 State: Squat, 446 lbs; Bench, 253 lbs; Deadlift, 418 lbs; Total, 1107 lbs

USA Powerlifting; 139 lb weight class

• 1990, 1993 American: Squat, 451 lbs; Bench, 259 lbs; Total, 1060 lbs

USA Powerlifting; 132 lb weight class

• 2003 World Master: Squat, 440 lbs; Bench, 303 lbs; Total, 1118 lbs
• 2003 American: Squat, 440 lbs; Bench, 303 lbs; Total, 1118 lbs
• 2003 Am. Masters: Squat, 440 lbs; Bench, 303 lbs; Total, 1118 lbs
• 2003 National: Squat, 440 lbs; Bench, 303 lbs; Total, 1118 lbs
• 2003 Nat. Masters: Squat, 440 lbs; Bench, 303 lbs; Total, 1118 lbs
• 2002 State: Squat, 4401bs; Bench, 303 lbs; Total, 1118 lbs

Natural Athletes Strength Association; 132 lb weight class

• 1991 World: Squat, 402 lbs; Bench, 205 lbs; Total, 970 lbs
• 1991 American: Squat, 418 lbs; Bench; 231 lbs; Total, 1001 lbs

United States Powerlifting Federation; 132 lb weight class

• 1993, 1992 State: Squat, 420 lbs; Bench, 242 lbs ; Total, 1036 lbs

Referee Status:

Referee career started in 1993 and currently is an International Powerlifting Federation – International Referee, Category II

Coaching:

• Coached the 1997 USA Bench Team at the World Bench Championships in Canada and in 2000 in Czech Republic
• Began coaching in 1993 and still continues at the local and national level.

Miscellaneos:

• Bettina has been an elected member of USA Powerlifting’s Executive Committee since 1992
• USA Powerlifting’s Legal Counsel since 1992

Bettina’s Photo Gallery

Click on each thumbnail pic to view image at a larger size.

2005 USA Powerlifting Women’s Hall of Fame Sponsors

The Women’s Hall of Fame Committee would like to thank those who sponsored Bettina’s induction to the Women’s Hall of Fame. Each of the sponsors below played an important part of helping with the induction ceremony held at the USA Powerlifting Women’s Nationals in St. Louis, MO, February 6, 2005.

• American Belt Co
• Dawn & Harold Gaines
• McNutt & Accociates, Inc
• Powerlifting USA
• Quest Nutrition
• Robert Keller
• Titan Support Systems