Topic: News: Joe Kelly Takes Third at FHSAA 1A State Championships

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

Link

Joe Kelly Takes Third at FHSAA 1A State Championships
By Janet Schrader

Three Suwannee lifters attended the state weightlifting tournament Saturday in Gainesville. Joe Kelly was Suwannee’s top finisher placing third in the state in the 139 weight class.

Kelly lifted 255 on the bench and 215 in the clean and jerk for a total of 470 pounds lifted. Alexander Caldwell, of Avon Park, took first lifting 515 total. Caldwell beat Kelly with the bench press. Caldwell lifted 300 on the bench and 215 in the clean and jerk.

Jarrett Yulee, attending the state meet for the first time, placed eighth, just out of the ribbons. Yulee, lifting in the 154 class, lifted 255 on the bench and 250 in the clean and jerk. Yulee’s clean and jerk equaled the winner’s numbers. Yulee lost out on the bench.

Larrell Cherry lifted in the 169 class. This was Cherry’s first trip to state. He placed 13 in the state lifting 270 on the bench and 265 in the clean and jerk for a total of 535.

Michael Wright also went to state. Wright lifted in the 238 weightclass.

“Joe Kelly showed his competitive nature,” Coach Jimmy Clay said. “He came to place high and he did. Joe reached inside and made it happen. All the boys did well. Jarrett Yulee and Larrell Cherry gave their best. Michael Wright set a new school record in the clean and jerk at 295 lbs. That lift also helped him set a new school total record of 635 lbs.”

Suwannee scored four points, placing tenth along with four other schools scoring four points. Panama City Arnold took first. Avon Park placed second and Avon Park was third overall in Class 1-A.

This was Clay’s first year coaching the boys. He has coached girls’ weightlifting for several years. “It was a great year and we have alot of boys that are hungry to compete next year,” Clay said. “I forsee next year being Suwannee’s best showing ever at State.”