4 LRS Airman named ACC Male Athlete of the Year

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Marissa Tucker
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  A casual encounter of one Airmen here can be quite intimidating for most, as his ability to bench press more than 500 pounds gained him the title of Air Combat Command Male Athlete of the Year.

Staff Sgt. Lysander Roberson, NCOIC of accidents and abuse in the 4th Logistic Readiness Squadron vehicle management flight, has always been a bit stronger than most of his comrades. An athlete at heart, this Los Angeles native found a love for playing football at a young age.

"I played football in school and a bit of semi-pro football before I decided to come into the Air Force," Roberson said. "I have family in the Marines and the Air Force, but my uncle sort of guided me towards the Air Force. I'm glad I did it, I love it."

The son of an ex-boxer, Roberson always had a competitive edge. Known as an intimidating force on the field, people encouraged him to compete in some amateur weightlifting competitions. Without doing more training than he usually did, he won many of them.

"I didn't take it too serious at first," he said. "After I had been in the Air Force for about three years, I began to train more and build up my strength. I began finding different competitions to participate in and found that I had what it took to win."

In the weightlifting world, there are many different categories of competitions and different types of athletes. While the use of steroids is a fact of many of the best weightlifters in the world, Roberson prides himself on being 100 percent drug free and is ranked number eight in the world among power lifters.

"The 100 percent RAW competition is my favorite because there is no extra help. It comes down to you and the weight," he said. "I love knowing that I worked hard and I could do it on my own, without any help of [steroids]. Some competitions I go to, there's no drug testing done and I know there are people who have that advantage. I know that I can compete without that."


Roberson plans to compete in many more competitions and hopes to break the record of power lifting great Rock Lewis, the lightest man to ever bench 600 pounds, who also practices an enhancement free weightlifting practice. He continues to train and help out anyone who comes to him for guidance in their personal fitness, said 1st Lt. Sara Crocoll, vehicle management flight commander.

"Staff Sgt. Roberson sets a great example for Airmen," Crocoll said. "He is a great motivator and is willing to help anyone who seeks him out. He also mentors the Airmen who may have trouble with their physical training test by volunteering to work out with them."

"I would like to share what I've learned with others," Roberson said. "I picked a lot of people's brains about what they did when I was starting out. At a weightlifting competition here, I wanted to talk to the smallest guy there, because I can tell he really wanted it. It's all about how hard you are willing to work."