Lakewood, Washington football star selected for Marines’ 2015 Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl

Photo By Staff Sgt. Reece Lodder | Benning Potoae (left), a defensive end for the Lakes High School Lancers varsity football team and 18-year-old native of Dupont, Washington, speaks with Lancers head coach Dave Miller at Lakes High School in Lakewood, Washington, Dec. 16, 2014. Potoae is among approximately 100 student athletes from across the nation selected to participate in the game at the StubHub Center in Carson, Calif., Jan. 4, 2015. He joins cornerback Austin Joyner from Marysville-Pilchuck High School and offensive tackle Shane Lemieux from Yakima’s West Valley High School as the Washington State players selected for the 2015 game. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Reece Lodder)  

LAKEWOOD, WA, UNITED STATES

12.19.2014

Story by Sgt. Reece Lodder  

Marine Corps Recruiting Station Seattle

LAKEWOOD, Wash. - Marine Corps Recruiting Station Seattle is excited to announce the selection of Semper Fidelis All-American Benning Potoae, a defensive end for the Lakes High School Lancers varsity football team.

Surrounded by his family, friends and community leaders during a ceremony at Lakes High School Dec. 16, 2014, the 18-year-old Dupont native was presented his 2015 Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl jersey by Staff Sgt. Cody Branham and Sgt. Daniel Pluth from nearby recruiting offices in Puyallup and Tacoma.

The Semper Fidelis Football Program demonstrates the Marine Corps’ commitment to developing quality citizens and reinforces its core values of honor, courage and commitment. To be named Semper Fidelis All-Americans, top-rated high school football players from across the nation are evaluated on their success both on and off the gridiron. In addition to their stats, players are chosen based on their character, academic performance and leadership.

The sturdy 6’4”, 265-lb. Potoae is among approximately 100 student athletes from across the nation selected to participate in the 2015 Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl game at The StubHub Center in Carson, Calif., Jan. 4. Potoae joins cornerback Austin Joyner from Marysville-Pilchuck High School and offensive tackle Shane Lemieux from Yakima’s West Valley High School as the Washington State players selected for the 2015 game.

“When I found out I was selected for the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl, I was grateful and very happy,” Potoae said. “It’s a blessing to be the first one from my family and Lakes High School to play in the game.”

Off the field, Potoae maintains a 3.5 cumulative GPA and stays active in the community by volunteering at Special Olympics events. Though he plans to play college football following his high school graduation, he hasn’t yet decided where he’d like to play.

Potoae’s father Aleki, an Army first sergeant stationed at nearby Joint Base Lewis-McChord, said he was excited for his son to experience the Semper Fidelis football program.

“Whichever branch of service you’re in, we all have our core values, leadership, mental toughness and discipline,” 1st Sgt. Potoae said. “I hope the drill instructors help me re-emphasize these values and further instill them in Benning.”

The fourth annual Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl will be nationally televised on Fox Sports 1. For more information about the program, visit www.SemperFidelisFootball.com or www.facebook.com/SemperFidelisFootball.

• Date Taken: 12.19.2014
• Date Posted: 12.19.2014 13:43
• Story ID: 150761
• Location: LAKEWOOD, WA, US
• Hometown: DUPONT, WA, US
• Hometown: LAKEWOOD, WA, US