Silence hangs in the air as sweat drips from the forehead of Machinist's Mate (Nuclear) 2nd Class Karly Stevens. Her arms quiver under the weight, but she keeps pushing, trying to raise the bar the last few inches. The hangar bay erupts in thunderous applause as she triumphantly drops the weight and roars in victory. Stevens just doubled her record.

Ike Record Day, referred to aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (Ike) as the Strength Fest, is an annual lifting competition that affords Sailors the opportunity to have their name displayed on the Ike Record Board and accomplish their fitness goals.

“Today isn’t just about establishing Ike’s records, it’s about celebrating physical improvement in a positive manner,” said Daniel Vanegas, the afloat fitness specialist, or “Fit Boss”. “Sailors from every department and division compete with one another in official lifts like the bench press, squat and deadlift. It’s a friendly competition that drives us to be more active and improve our bodies and minds.”

The record board hangs on the forward mess decks as a testament to the physical strength of the Sailors aboard the mighty Ike.

“Having your name on that board for everyone to see… it’s almost like being immortalized,” said Peter Luthi, the afloat recreation specialist, or “Fun Boss”. “The titles definitely come with bragging rights.  It’s a huge source of pride for those that are strong enough to win. However, unlike competitions outside of the Navy, it’s impressive to see the Sailors who win a competition and then turn around and cheer for their friends to beat their record.”

For Logistics Specialist 2nd Class Brian Boykin, the Strength Fest is something to look forward to and train for. 

“I really like when the ship hosts contests like this,” said Boykin. “It’s an opportunity to take a break and relieve some stress doing what I love.  I had the opportunity to meet new friends that I had no idea were incredible weight lifters. Weight lifting is a source of pride for me, it’s a way to boost morale and draw people together. I can’t wait for the next one.”

The competition isn’t only for the participants. Many Sailors gathered to watch the event and cheer on their shipmates. 

“It was really great to see all those people show up to support each other and cheer people on,” said Stevens. “Especially in the shipyard, if the crew doesn’t come together often morale can get low. When Sailors see other people gathered and having fun, they join in.”

Get more information about the Navy from US Navy facebook or twitter.

For more news from USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), visit www.navy.mil/.