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Pumping iron a family affair

JBLM powerlifting competition winners include military families who work out together

Members of “Team Beast Mode All-Stars” show off their medals from the Oct. 22 powerlifting competition at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. /Corinne Lincoln-Pinheiro

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Hanna Zarelli had a shoulder, wrist and elbow injury, and a 12-year-old nagging lumbar-disk problem.

Still, she took first place in the women's bench press 181-pound class at the power-lifting competition Oct. 22 at Soldiers Field House on Joint Base Lewis McChord.

In her third competition at JBLM, Zarelli was one of three women competing with 22 other participants at the event. First timers Trista Miller and Lisa Humphries - both military wives - were nervous but determined to compete, as well.

These women had more in common; they all worked out with their spouses. Whether it was running, powerlifting or spotting each other, they worked as a unit - inspiring, pushing, encouraging. In fact, Humphries won best lifter female deadlift, and her husband Mike placed second in the bench press (259-pound) at the event.

Miller won best lifter female bench press and set a new post record. She and Zarelli have been working out for more than a decade, but Humphries began training in her garage after the birth of her son one year ago. What began as her "me time" turned into a way to stay fit and became a hobby.

"Working out was the only two hours of the day I had to myself, away from the kids and work," she said. "Taking care of myself meant I could take care of my family."

Humphries suffers from Crohn's Disease and kidney problems but is determined to compete again.

The Humphries weren't the only family competing at the event.  

In the male division, Deionté Hawkins won first place in the teen's deadlift (180-pounds and under), first place teen's bench press (180 and under), and first place men's deadlift (181-pound). Hawkins's father, Tony, also won first place in the bench press (275 and over). Tony Hawkins is a former semi professional linebacker who once played in Germany. Now he, his sons Deionté (16), Ken (15), and Servicemember wife Tanisha, workout as a family. Combined, they have been competing at the JBLM bench press and powerlifting competitions since 2008. Tanisha took first place in the women's bench press (160-pound) competition in April.

"The whole family is into fitness," Hawkins said. "My children grew up in sports and have always worked out, (and that's the best gift I can give them)."

Hawkins formed "Team Beast Mode All Stars," for the competition, all of whom won awards in their respective classes and the overall team award. He plans on the team dominating next year's competition.

"I'm starting with a personal trainer tomorrow," he said, explaining that he's taking his training to the next level.

Other winners included Donald Annesser, best lifter male bench press (who also broke two post records) and Elias Rodriguez, best lifter male deadlift.

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