Topic: News: Cristiani Takes 2nd @ FHSAA 1A State Champs

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

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Cardinal Mooney's Livio "Matt" Cristiani Snatches Second Spot at the FHSAA State 1A Weightlifting Championships
By Chad Brockhoff

 GAINESVILLE -- After overcoming discomfort in his left knee and an injured right pectoral muscle, Livio "Matt" Cristiani's next hurdle will be getting past the fashion police Monday morning.

Cristiani, a Cardinal Mooney High junior, placed second in the unlimited weight class at Friday's Class A state boys weightlifting meet on the campus of Santa Fe Community College by bench pressing 410 pounds and posting a career-best in the clean and jerk with a lift of 305 pounds. Joseph Linval of Alachua Santa Fe was successful on his final attempt of 315 pounds in the clean and jerk and claimed the state championship with a total of 725 pounds.

"I might wear the medal (on Monday) and try not to get a detention for a uniform violation," Cristiani said. "We'll see what happens."

Cristiani and Linval were tied after the bench press, while top-seeded Frank Grimes of Tallahassee Godby was third with 400-pound lift. Cristiani failed to get 290 pounds on his first clean and jerk attempt, but easily hoisted the weight on his second try.

Cardinal Mooney coach Josh Smithers, a 1995 state champion at 219 pounds, furiously studied the score sheets after the second lift and determined that a successful lift of 305 pounds would give Cristiani a top three finish and possibly the top spot.

"We were just going to go as high as we could and secure second," Cristiani said. "If we didn't go 305, then 305 would have decided first and second. It was a natural progression."

Cristiani appeared to have no problem with his final attempt, but he did tweak the same knee that was surgically repaired last spring. Holding the lead, he had to wait for Linval and Grimes to take their last lifts.

When Grimes failed to get 325 pounds, Linval jubilantly ran around the gymnasium and hallways in celebration.

"I didn't think (Linval) had 315 in him," Smithers said. "After (Linval) missed 300, he jumped up to 315 pounds. It's hard to move up 15-20 pounds in just one lift. We just tried to push the kid as hard as we could."

Cougar senior Ben Foodman appeared to have a chance at placing in the top six of the 183-pound class after bench pressing 300 pounds, but he failed to get a successful clean and jerk in his three attempts and didn't register a total.

"I thought (Foodman's) 265 (on his first attempt) looked good, but he just seemed to be a little in front with his overhead," Smithers said. "On 270, he just couldn't hold it and and the third attempt (at 270 pounds) may have got to him a little bit mentally. I feel bad because he apologized to me. He has nothing to apologize for because only 18 (183-pound lifters) made it to the state finals."

Arsenio Ivory of Blountstown won the championship at 183 pounds, setting state records in his weight class for clean and jerk (350 pounds) and total (755 pounds). Warner Christian's Andrew Troutman won the 238-pound class with a 755-pound total, including a state record bench press of 475 pounds.

Arnold High School of Panama City Beach claimed the overall team championship.

DeSoto County's Derrick Turner competed in the 238-pound class, but failed on his three attempts of 335 pounds in the bench press.