Page 27 - Luke AFB Thunderbolt 5-6-16
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Thunderbolt SPORTS May 2016
http://www.luke.af.mil
27Facebook.com/LukeThunderbolt
Staff Sgt. April Spilde competes in the deadlift portion of the push, pull and curl competition April 9 at Joint Base Myer- Sports Shorts
Henderson Hall, Virginia. Spilde finished second in her weight class, deadlifting 300 pounds, bench pressing 175 pounds and
curling 75 pounds. Extramural golf season
Honor guard Airman pushes past her limits The extramural golf season begins June
9.Squadrons that wish to participate must
Story and photo by During her rst deployment to Afghani- When her name came up it read: Staff Sgt. complete and submit a letter of intent to
Petty Of cer 2nd Class stan in 2009, she struggled to nd her April Spilde, pallbearer. Jemia Fournier by May 26 at the Luke Air
CHRISTOPHER HURD place in the Air Force as she tried to gure Force Base Bryant Fitness Center. Games
out where she wanted her career to go. “It was one of the best days of my life,” will be played at 7 a.m. Thursdays at Fal-
Joint Base Journal she said. “I had tears running down my con Dunes Golf Course.The cost is $17 per
As a security forces member, part of her face, and the other guys ran up and con- golfer and cover a round of golf, cart rental
WASHINGTON — (This feature is detail included ceremonies for Airmen gratulated me.” and range balls. A mandatory coaches is
part of the “Through Airmen’s Eyes” series. killed in action. meeting is 3:45 p.m. at the tness center.
These stories focus on individual Airmen, Successful powerlifter For more information, call 623-856-6241.
highlighting their Air Force story.) “I just remember how somber and yet Having successfully tested herself, Spil-
respectful (the ceremonies were) and just de set her sights on another goal — pow- AAPIHM golf classic
It’s noon on a Saturday, and Staff Sgt. the feeling of pride that I was able to be a erlifting. In January 2014, she took part
April Spilde chalks up her hands in the part of that,” she recalled. in her rst competition and was hooked. The Asian American Paci c Islander
gym at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, “It was just a rush of adrenaline,” she Heritage Month Committee is featuring
Virginia, as she waits for her chance to lift New goal said. “It’s funny to say, but it really was a the 10th Annual Golf Classic May 13
during a powerlifting competition. Coming home from deployment, she had power trip.” at Falcon Dunes Golf Course. Registra-
a renewed sense of purpose and a new goal That rush and sense of accomplish- tion is 6 a.m. and the shotgun start is
Spilde isn’t thinking about how big the in mind: to join the Air Force Honor Guard ment has taken Spilde to competitions in 7:30 a.m. The cost is $40 per E-1 through
other competitors are or how much weight and become a pallbearer. Florida, Virginia and Cincinnati, where E-4, $45 per E-5 through E-6 and $50
they can lift; she’s focused on the mission Her new chief with the 354th Security she set her personal record last year for per E-7 and above, and civilians. The
at hand — pushing her limits. Forces Squadron at Eielson Air Force Base, the deadlift at 350 pounds at a body weight cost includes green fee, cart, range balls,
Alaska, had just come from the honor of 165 pounds. and a barbecue lunch. For more informa-
“I just like the feeling of knowing that I guard. She went straight to see him. After the 100 percent Raw American tion or to register, call 623-856-7852.
have a limit and I can push right past it,” “I said, ‘Chief, I want to join. Tell me how Challenge event in 2015, she was ranked
she said with a smile. to join the Air Force Honor Guard. I want as the No. 2 military female powerlifter in Get golf-ready
to do something awesome,’” she recalled. her weight class.
On this day — like many others — After submitting paperwork and getting Spilde, who recently placed fourth in Designed for the new golfer, Get
Spilde pushes herself, putting up a new accepted, she came to Bolling in 2013. her weight class at the USA Powerlifting Golf-Ready is 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. May 9
personal record for the bench press at The physical demands of becoming a Military Nationals, has now set her sights through 12 at Falcon Dunes Golf Course.
175 pounds and takes second place in her pallbearer were hard and the honor guard on achieving a 200-pound bench press, The cost is $59 per person and includes
weight class. had recently toughened the standards. 300-pound squat and 400-pound deadlift. orientation and facility tour, eight-hours
No female had passed the new quali ca- These goals might seem unattainable now, of instruction as well as all aspects of
Motivated to achieve tion yet. but that’s what qualifying as a pallbearer golf swing and short game, on-course
Spilde, the NCO in charge of the Air Spilde, who had been working with a and hoisting a 175-pound bench press instruction and play. Register today. For
Force Honor Guard program at Joint Base lifting coach in preparation, was unde- seemed like before. more information, call 623-535-9334.
Anacostia-Bolling, Washington D.C., has terred. She put in long hours at the gym “It’s something that maybe two years
set goals her entire life — pushing past to increase her strength, and soon became ago I never thought I could do,” she said. Falcon Dunes Golf Course
them even when they seem unattainable the rst female to qualify. “It makes me feel like the sky is the limit.
at the time. When graduation day nally arrived, I’m really excited about where I’ll be in The Falcon Dunes Golf Course will be
“I love having a goal, moving toward she stood in formation as the assignments 10 years.” open to the public through Sept. 30. For
that goal, achieving it and then moving to were displayed for the new graduates. more information, call 623-535-9334.
another,” she said.
That’s the mindset that keeps her mo- Bodybuilding competition
tivated.
The 56th Force Support Squadron Bry-
ant Fitness Center is featuring a body-
building competition Aug. 20 at the base
theater. Weigh-in is 11 a.m., preliminary
round is 1 p.m. and the nal competition
is 5 p.m. The cost is $50 per military
member and $60 per non-military. Reg-
ister by Aug. 10 to avoid the late fee. For
more information, call 623-856-6241.
Youth B-ball clinic
The Phoenix Mercury Youth Basket-
ball Clinic is 10 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday
at the 56th Force Support Squadron
Youth Center for ages 6 to 17. Admis-
sion is free, and Phoenix Mercury and
Phoenix Suns alumni will lead the clinic.
For more information, call 623-856-7470.
Half marathon
The 56th Force Support Squadron
Bryant Fitness Center is featuring a half
marathon at 5:30 a.m. Saturday. Run 13.1
miles through Luke AFB.Trophies, prizes,
T-shirts and refreshments are included.
For more information, call 623-856-6241.
Silver Wings Pool
The Silver Wings Pool will open for the
season on Memorial day May 30. Luke Air
Force Base is also looking for students who
are certi ed lifeguards to work during the
pool season, which ends Labor Day Sept.
5. For more information, call Sam Harvey,
Outdoor Recreation, at 623-856-9334.
