Team Pete Airman presses passion to victory Published Aug. 22, 2017 By Dave Smith, staff writer 21st Space Wing Public Affairs PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Team Peterson was represented well when Master Sgt. Kenyatta Wilson, Advanced Space Operations School current operations flight chief, at the Moorman Space Education Training Center on Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado, won his class in the bench press event at the Rocky Mountain State Games July 30, 2017.The games were held over two weekends in July at various venues across Colorado Springs. More than 10,000 competitors took part in more than 40 sports in the 16th year of the games, said Kevin McLaughlin of the Colorado Springs Sports Corp., who operated the games.Wilson competed in the 83 kilogram (183 pounds) weight class. His winning lift of 391 lbs. is more than double his body weight.“I’m constantly training and staying prepared for upcoming events,” Wilson said. “Winning simply reinforced that all the hard work is not in vain.”The hard work is something Wilson finds enjoyable. Currently he lifts weights on a five-day-a-week schedule, but varies the regimen based on his goals.“Working out has always been a stress reliever for me,” said Wilson. “There’s nothing like an intense workout after a long day at work. It takes my mind off of everything.”Beside strengthening and conditioning his body, Wilson finds other value in spending time in the gym. He said there is a social piece found in the gym that he doesn’t find elsewhere.“I also enjoy the social aspect in the gym,” he said. “Despite everyone wearing headphones conversations are the norm with people asking ‘how was your day?’ ‘what are you working on today?’ Conversations in the gym easily translate to friendships outside the gym.”Wilson said he began lifting weights to add mass to his “skinny,” 127-pound frame in January 2000. During the next four years, he entered several base-level competitions while stationed at Keesler AFB, Mississippi and Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia. He said he began competing more seriously while stationed at Ramstein AB, Germany.“Once I started seeing results, lifting quickly became my passion,” said Wilson.Activities with heavy physical facets to them, such as weight lifting can take a toll on the body, and are not without some risk. Wilson is no stranger to this side of his passion and pursuits in the gym. He said resiliency is critical.“I’ve dealt with a lot of injuries over the past year and a half,” he said. “But I continue to push through.”Competing in the games was a positive experience Wilson said. Along with testing his mettle against other lifters and connecting with their local community, the competition was well run.“I was highly impressed with how professionally and efficiently the meet was ran. I will definitely consider competing in this again in the future,” Wilson said.Resilience, perseverance and fitness are key factors in the life of all Airmen. For Wilson they meant bringing home a championship.