JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas –
It was a good March 2 for Headquarters Air Force Services Agency, as the organization took trophies in both individual and unit categories at the Joint Base San Antonio Top III's 2012 Bi-Annual Push-Up-A-Thon.
AFSVA raised $1,444.35 at the fundraising event, which was held at the Chaparral Fitness Center. The money will be used to support Top III programs like promotion ceremonies, academic scholarships, and quarterly and annual award functions.
Timothy Hardy, AFSVA chief resource manager, completed 145 push-ups and raised the most money, individually totaling $721.85.
Hardy described how his arms were feeling after completing the push-up contest in one word - sore.
"My arms were hurting and I was tired, but I feel pretty good about winning," he said.
Hardy's co-workers, Angela and Adrian Wright, won individual awards, placing first in the women's and men's 30-or-over categories, respectively.
Pointing to her arms or "guns" as she called them, Angela was drained after completing 150 push-ups to win in her category.
"My guns were hurting," she said. "It was going good toward the end but my muscles started locking up. What (kept) me going was the adrenaline."
Her husband Adrian, who completed 265 push-ups in the event, commended the JBSA-Lackland Top III for organizing the competition.
"It's nice for the Top III to put this on for the spirit of camaraderie for the troops," he said. "I really enjoyed the competition and I look forward to competing again in the future."
The Wrights and their friend and coworker Tech. Sgt. Shaerica Waters, who placed second in the 18- to 29-year-old women's category by completing 111 pushups, train with each other to get in better physical shape.
Motivating each other to succeed during the Push-Up-A-Thon was no different.
"We all (moved) here (from Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.) so motivating each other to do well today is no different than what we normally do," Waters said.
Keeping the team spirit alive, Hardy said winning in the individual category of the Push-Up-A-Thon wasn't about obtaining personal accolades.
"I am happy to do this for the JBSA-Lackland Top III," he said. "This isn't about me or the team. It's about giving money back to the Top III, and some of the things they do as far as scholarships and fundraisers."
Another Push-Up-A-Thon fundraising event is planned for later this year.