Strongest TBolts muscle way through competition

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman C.J. Hatch
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  The 56th Services Squadron held a power lifting competition Jan. 23 in the Luke Air Force Base fitness center.

Seven Thunderbolts competed for the titles of Luke's strongest male and female. Nikki Herrington, a family member, lifted 1,330 pounds to take the strongest female title and James Knuckles, 56th Mission Support Squadron, lifted 2,535 pounds, to take the strongest male category.

"I've only been training for a couple of weeks," Herrington said. "I didn't even expect to enter today until one of my trainers convinced me to."

Herrington worked with the fitness center personal trainer and did CrossFit to prepare for the competition.

"Lifting is a lifestyle for me right now," Knuckles said. "So you could say I'm always prepared."

The power lifting competition consisted of three lifts: the squat, bench press and dead lift. Through all these events Herrington kept surprising herself.

"I'm stronger than I thought," she said "I kept lifting heavier amounts, and it was great."

Not only do Luke's strongest male and female power lifters enjoy the competition, they enjoy the fellowship of other lifters.

"I love the camaraderie here," said Knuckles. "For me that's the best part of the event."

After winning Luke's strongest male and female, Knuckles and Herrington accepted the congratulations of their peers, both taking different views on winning.

"I think it's awesome," said Herrington. "It's a great accomplishment and I'm so excited."
While Herrington was excited, Knuckles had a more subdued response to winning.

"I'm a realist so I know I'm not technically the 'strongest,'" said Knuckles. "But really it's all about the competition. I would like to see more people out for the next one."