Topic: News: Arsenio Ivory Continues To Raise The Bar

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

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Blountstown's Ivory Continues to Raise the Bar
By Brett Malone

It's standard procedure for anyone on Blountstown's football team to participate in competitive weightlifting in the offseason. But for Arsenio Ivory, this extracurricular activity is more than just a way of staying in shape for another sport.

Ivory has been an unstoppable force in weightlifting the past few seasons, the culmination of his hard work coming at each year's state meet. He's set records, won three state titles, and been named the Tallahassee Democrat's All-Big Lifter of the Year.

“With his weightlifting, he knew what he wanted,” Blountstown coach Greg Jordan said. “He's already tasted it and he knew what it took to make it happen in weightlifting. When he has a goal set and sees results, you didn't have to motivate him.”

Ivory dominated the 183-pound class in 2006, putting up record lifts in the clean-and-jerk (350 pounds) and total weight (755 pounds). His combined weight lifted was 150 pounds more than the second-place finisher and the second highest total for any weight class at the meet.

Since his sophomore season, Ivory has moved up weight classes and found success at each level. After winning his first FHSAA championship in the 154-pound class and leading his team to a title in 2004, Ivory jumped to the 169-pound class with a record-breaking performance.

“He was always there doing what he was supposed to be doing,” Jordan said. “Overall, he was pretty self-motivated.”

For the complete All-Big Bend weightlifting team, see Wednesday's Tallahassee Democrat.