Meet the Athletes
Frank Stasa III
Highland Games Athlete & Longtime Director
Frank Stasa III has been an athlete and director of the Michigan Renaissance Festival Highland Games since 1999, leading the competitions during both Highland Fling and Shamrocks & Shenanigans weekends. For more than 25 years, the Highland Games have been a treasured summer tradition—and remain his favorite part of the summer!
Eric Spence
Five-Time Michigan Renaissance Festival Champion
Standing an impressive 6’8″ and 400 pounds, Eric Spence is a powerhouse on the Heavy Games field! A professional Highland Games athlete for the past four years, Eric finished last season ranked among the Top 25 athletes in North America and is a five-time Michigan Renaissance Festival champion. His favorite event is the legendary caber toss, while he continues to master the challenging weight over bar. Beyond the competition, Eric thrives on the energy of the crowd and loves engaging with festival-goers, making the Michigan Renaissance Festival one of his favorite events of the year.
Alex Mansfield
Collegiate Thrower & Rising Heavy Games Competitor
Alex Mansfield brings impressive collegiate strength and throwing experience to the Heavy Games. A fifth-year student and member of the Oakland University Track & Field Team, Alex competes in shot put, discus and hammer throw. Now entering his third year competing in the Highland Games, Alex is ready to put his strength, technique and competitive spirit to the test in the Realm!
John Pilling
Highland Games Veteran & Caber Toss Powerhouse
John has been bringing the muscle to the Michigan Renaissance Festival Highland Games for over a decade! A City of Saginaw firefighter and certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, his favorite event is the mighty Caber Toss. At home, John is outnumbered by his wife and five daughters—and in his spare time enjoys “manly crafts” like leatherworking and sewing custom harnesses and straps.
Chris Chafin
Highland Games Veteran & Law Enforcement Leader
Standing an impressive 6’4″ and 280 pounds, Chris Chafin has been competing in the Highland Games for more than 10 years. When he’s not putting his strength to the test on the Games Field, Chris serves as Chief of Police in Fair Bluff, North Carolina. A longtime competitor who loves returning to the Michigan Renaissance Festival, Chris says it best: “I love coming to see y’all!”