5 Super Athletes With Ties To Lakewood-JBLM

Sports have a way of teaching invaluable life lessons — building character, fostering teamwork and strengthening the bonds within a community. In the Lakewood-JBLM area, these values have shaped some truly remarkable athletes from different eras, whose accomplishments continue to inspire.

Patch has teamed up with T-Mobile to spotlight five standout athletes whose achievements have left a lasting mark on our community. While this list is just a snapshot, there are countless others who have helped shape the rich sports culture in our area.

1. Kate Starbird (Basketball)

A standout at Lakes High School in Lakewood, Kate Starbird earned national recognition as the 1997 Naismith College Player of the Year while at Stanford University, where she set a then-school record with 2,215 career points. Her stellar play helped Stanford reach three consecutive Final Fours from 1995 to 1997, and she went on to a nine-year professional career in the ABL, WNBA and overseas. After retiring from basketball, Starbird completed a doctorate in technology, media and society and now researches social media and misinformation at the University of Washington.

2. Anesia Ramirez (Wrestling)

Raised in Lakewood and a graduate of Lakes High School, Anesia Ramirez made history at Southern Oregon University by becoming the school’s first NAIA Invitational All-American in women’s wrestling. Competing primarily at 130 pounds, she distinguished herself on the mat with multiple strong finishes at the WCWA Championships and other national tournaments. Ramirez’s success stemmed from her work ethic, which earned her the Tacoma Women’s Athlete of the Year in back-to-back seasons.

3. Zach Banner (Football)

A towering offensive lineman from Lakewood’s Lakes High School, Zach Banner was a two-time All-American tackle at USC before heading to the NFL. Nicknamed “the Hulk,” the 6’8” Banner was drafted in the fourth round by the Indianapolis Colts in 2017 and later debuted with the Cleveland Browns that same year. He also spent time with the Carolina Panthers and Pittsburgh Steelers, bringing size, strength and agility to each roster.

4. Benning Potoa'e (Football)

Born in nearby DuPont and starring at Lakes High School in Lakewood, Benning Potoa’e rose as a formidable defensive tackle. He went on to play collegiately for the Washington Huskies, showcasing power and athleticism in the trenches. After going undrafted in 2020, Potoa’e signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and later joined the Washington Commanders in 2022.

5. Jermaine Kearse (Football)

Hailing from Lakewood’s Lakes High School, Jermaine Kearse carved out an impactful NFL career that included a Super Bowl XLVIII victory with the Seattle Seahawks. After a standout collegiate tenure at the University of Washington, Kearse signed with the Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 2012 and quickly became a clutch playmaker known for memorable postseason catches. He later spent two seasons with the New York Jets before joining the Detroit Lions.

This content is brought to our community in partnership with T-Mobile.