No Lion, LaMoille native Justin Suplee sets national deadlift record

Justin Suplee was a 6-foot-3, lanky kid on LaMoille’s Cinderella regional championship team in 2007-08.

A junior, Suplee played a key role, leading the Lions with 7.4 rebounds per game while averaging 10.1 points, receiving All-BCR Second Team honors.

Fans of that team wouldn’t recognize the former Lion 14 years later.

Suplee, 31, has made a life transformation, now standing 6-4 and nearly 290 pounds. He draws a lot of attention in the gym or out in public, often asked if he’s a pro football player or something.

He recently set a national deadlift record.

How did it all happen?

“Honestly, I really don’t know. I was a tall and skinny kid in high school,” he said. “I moved to New Jersey for school for underwater welding construction. It was the Jersey Shore time. Everyone was in the gym. The guys I was hanging out with were in the gym and all the girls were attracted to the guys lifting weights.

“I lived there for a year. I lifted weights and started getting into it. I immediately responded. I have good genetics. My dad was a big, thick guy and I was one of five kids. Of course (they joked) I’m adopted because I’m tall and huge and every one else is like 5-8.”

He moved back to Illinois in 2012 and kept up his gym routine. He went to powerlifting meets and was immediately hooked.

“The energy. The positivity. People screaming, cheering. All that stuff,” he said. “I started working with my coach, Chris Bridgeford. He’s a pro lifter and owns a gym. He’s really taken me under his wing and made me a professional. It’s awesome. We really got the job done and I’m very happy.”

Suplee, who does heating and cooling in Hoffman Estates, set the national deadlift record at 881 pounds in the 275-pound weight class on March 12 at the “Surge to New Levels Gym” in Carol Stream.

“I’m very happy, very excited and blessed I was able to get that done,” he said. “It’s really cool and humbling to be where I’m at.”

Suplee’s teammate at LaMoille, Matt Monroe, is not surprised by Suplee’s success at his new adventure.

“I’m not surprised that he is reaching such a high level in the sport. His hard work is really paying off and I’m happy for his success,” he said.

Suplee’s not yet done. He’s going after the world record of 950 pounds in late July at the American Pro in Virginia. He’s going to move up from the 275-pound weight class to go for the world dead-lift record in the 300-pound weight class. The record is 945 pounds.

Suplee can’t wait.

“It’s going to be in a sold-out amphitheater on the best stage ever,” he said. “I’m going in with a lot of momentum and sponsored and all that good stuff. We’re just training for that. I’m working with my two coaches, who are also professional power lifters and body builders. I have a diet coach. So we’re taking it very serious.”

Kevin Hieronymus is the BCR Sports Editor. Contact him at khieronymus@bcrnews.com