Topic: News: 2008 Florida High School Girl's Championships

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

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Navarre High girls power their way into state weightlifting success
By Joe Culpepper

Aaron Daniel remembers when girls weightlifting was in its infancy at Navarre High School.

"Three years ago, we couldn't buy a victory," the Raiders' head coach admitted. "Every meet we went to, we lost."

However, two Navarre girls qualified for the 2005 state meet in their respective weight classes. That motivated Daniel and his young ladies to set some specific goals. One was to contend for a state title in 2008.

The challenge was met.

The Lady Raiders (11 points) and New Smyrna Beach tied for second with behind Port Orange Spruce Creek (56 points) in Saturday's FHSAA girls weightlifting championships at Port Richey. Pace was 12th with six points. Thirty-seven schools scored points in the finals.

Senior Talluya McKinnie was Navarre's top finisher. Competing in the 183-pound division, she totaled 350 pounds in the bench press and clean and jerk for a third-place showing.

Senior Tabitha McMillian (320) finished fourth in the 154-pound class. Sophomore Tinisha Thomas (290) was fourth in the 119 class. Navarre had six top-10 individual performances.

"I'm very proud of the way our girls reacted," Daniel said. "We won our sectional and had a pretty good run at state. The girls worked harder than they ever had. We had the third-most girls (nine) out of 186 teams at the state meet."

Daniel and assistant coach Greg Taylor had 39 lifters on this season's roster. Nine were seniors including McKinnie, who previously set sectional records in the 183 class bench press (170) and the clean and jerk (155).

"When I first started as a freshman, our team was very small," McKinnie said. "It's good to see how far we've come to our senior year. Everyone's grown so much. All the hard work we've put in has really paid off."

Weightlifting traditionally had been mostly a boys sport until recent years. Girls got interested when they realized a regimen of weightlifting helps tone their bodies and contributes to strength in other sports.

Plus, Daniel said, it's just plain fun.

"Kids like to win," he said. "It doesn't matter what they are doing. Winning is fun. They could be playing hopscotch, and if they win they are having fun.

"Girls who were benefiting started selling the program to others. Once we started winning, it just kind of mushroomed."

The next goal is to sustain the Lady Raiders' success. Daniel said Navarre has not lost a regular-season meet in two years.

"We hope to keep this thing going," Daniel said. "It will just depend on the next group of girls. We have a pretty good group including some younger girls who, hopefully, will work hard to continue this success."

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

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Terry reaches her goal of trip to state meet
By Phil Denis

LAKEWOOD RANCH

Two years ago, Jessica Terry set a goal to qualify for the Florida High School Athletic Association's Girls Weightlifting Finals.

That's when her brother, Justin, was a wrestler at Bayshore High School in Bradenton and earned a trip to the state tournament in 2006.

With newfound inspiration, Terry, a junior at Lakewood Ranch High School, dedicated herself to becoming a state finalist.

She reached that goal when she competed in the state meet Saturday at River Ridge High School in New Port Richey.

Terry finished 12th at the state meet in the 183-pound class, with a total of 285. She bench-pressed 140 and totaled 145 in the clean-and-jerk.

"It was very competitive in her weight class and she knew she was going to have a hard time placing," said Lady Mustangs coach Mick Koczersut. "She improved over 40 pounds since the beginning of the year."

In the district meet at Port Charlotte, Terry bench-pressed 125 pounds and 135 in the clean-and-jerk for a 260 total. She advanced to the state meet by finishing third.

Teammate Lindsay Barnes, also a star softball player for the Lady Mustangs, was third in her class in the district, with a 155 bench and 145 clean-and-jerk.

Barnes finished ninth at the state meet. She benched 160 and totaled 145 in the clean-and-jerk.

For Terry, lifting in the state meet was a dream.

"The past two years I kind of slacked off because I wasn't really happy with my lifts," said Terry, who plays the violin in the school orchestra. "This year, I've worked a lot harder and set a goal of adding five pounds to each lift each week."

Koczersut, in his first year at Lakewood Ranch, has witnessed Terry's improvement.

"She's progressively gotten better. She's made huge gains," said Koczersut. "Her strength, consistency, determination have all gotten so much better."

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

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'Cudas apply state label
By Buddy Shacklette

There's something to be said for quality over quantity.

Last weekend, the New Smyrna Beach girls weightlifting team sent just two competitors to the state tournament at New Port Richey's Ridgewood High School on Saturday. Yet with those two lifters, the Lady Barracudas and coach Tim McRae managed to score enough points to place second as a team.

Sure, five-time state champion Spruce Creek dominated the event and won again, but there's something to be said for placing second at state with just two lifters.

The Barracudas tied Navarre with 11 points and got the state runner-up label on the strength of a state champion and third-place finisher.

Senior Maranda Whitley became the school's third state champion in girls weightlifting when she dominated the 183-pound class.

Whitley established state records in the bench press and overall weight total in winning the class by 15 pounds. She topped her old bench press mark by 10 pounds with a lift of 235 pounds, and her lift of 190 in the clean and jerk gave her a state-best total of 425 -- a weight-class record and the second-most weight ever lifted at the state meet.

Whitley was able to top Columbia's Celeste Gomez by 15 pounds and leaves the program with three state records -- bench (at both 169 and 183) and total weight (425) -- and that illustrious state championship.

THREE-TIME STATE PLACER

But Whitley wasn't the only NSB lifter to make some noise at state.

Patrice Doemer became a three-time state placer when she placed third in the 169-pound weight class.

Doemer benched a season-best 160 pounds and got 185 in the clean and jerk to place third with a 345-pound total, 25 pounds less than friend and state champion Brittany Adamek of Spruce Creek.

Doemer won a state title a year ago and the state marks she set in that state title run still stand.

Last year the Lady Barracudas brought back two state championships and a fourth-place finish, and this year, with half as many lifters, they were a state runner-up.

HEADING BACK TO STATE

Speaking of state, NSB senior Paul Snow managed to qualify for the Class 2A state wrestling finals for the second straight season.

Snow, a second-year wrestler, earned his second trip to state when he reached the 160-pound finals in the Region 2-2A event at Kissimmee Poinciana on Saturday. There, he was pinned in 1:32 by Brandon's Zach Berridge, who's ranked No. 1 in the weight class.

Now Snow, a year better and wiser, can set his sights on placing at state or giving head coach Mike Strouse his first state champion since 1998.

Snow (20-5) will open up Thursday's first round against Port St. Lucie senior Dan Pettus (28-8).

"I just go out and wrestle aggressively and when the opportunity presents itself I take advantage. I just go out there and wrestle my game and be as strong as I possibly can," Snow said earlier this season. "I'm confident. Coach is going to work with me about getting some bread and butter moves and we'll go from there."

At regional, Snow scored two pins en route to the semifinals, where he recorded a 10-0 major decision over Chamberlain's Brian Collera. In the finals Snow lost in questionable fashion when he was pinned by Berridge.

"He made a mistake getting caught in a cradle, but the referee made a mistake and I usually don't complain about that because I officiate myself," Strouse said. "I felt the call was questionable. Even Paul got up with an astonished look."

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

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Wakulla's Collins and Battle Place at Girls Weightlifting Finals in New Port Richey

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Wakulla High Senior Chelsea Collins placed 5th in State in the 169 pound weight class at the Girl’s Weightlifting
Finals in New Port Richey on February 9, 2008.  She lifted 175 pounds in bench press and 160 pounds in clean and jerk for a total of 335.  This tied her for 4th place but her opponent weighed less; therefore, she placed 5th.  This makes her second placement in the top six at State Finals and her 4th appearance at State.  In 2006 she placed 4th in State in the 183 pound weight class with the same 335 total.  She is the only girl from Wakulla to have ever placed in the top six in weightlifting.  Collins also received 1st place at the Tallahassee City Champs Meet at Godby High School on February 2, 2008 in the 169 pound weight class.

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hannah, coach cook, chelsea-1 250 gih.gifWakulla High Senior Hannah Battle also attended State Finals and placed 20th in State in the 119 pound weight class.  She lifted 105 pounds in bench press and 120 pounds in clean and jerk for a total of 225.  This is her 2nd appearance at State.  In 2007 she placed 17th in the 119 pound weight class with a 230 total.  Battle also received 2nd place at the Tallahassee City Champs Meet at Godby High School on February 2, 2008 in the 119 pound weight class.

Thanks to Coach Diane Cook and Asst. Coach Windy Jones for all of their help and support throughout the season.

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

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Spruce Creek team beyond excellent

When the Spruce Creek High School girls' weightlifting team traveled to the state championships in New Port Richey, they carried high expectations with them. That they would win the state championship was barely in question. But would they set a state record (their own record, to be precise) by racking up 52 points in the meet, as expected?

Well, no. Instead, they scored 56, leaving the New Smyrna Beach team and Navarre High School, from the Pensacola area, tied for a distant second with 11 points. Team members Kaysie Junco, Heather Wolfe, Sara Cowles, Morgan Candage and Brittany Adamek each brought home individual championships.

The Spruce Creek team has held the state championship for five years, ever since the Florida High School Athletic Association sanctioned the event. Such a dynasty measures individual talent, as well as a culture of hard work and dedication that deserves celebration. The young women on the team -- and coach Tom Bennett -- have once again made their community proud.

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

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West Volusia lifters leave their marks
State, school records fall as Baranet, Baker earn medals
By Roy Parry

DeLand's Christy Baranet and Deltona's Bree Baker saved their best for last.

That meant a state title for Baranet, and nearly one for Baker, who instead settled for second and more school records.

Baranet established a new state record and three school records as she became DeLand's first girls state weightlifting champion by winning the 119-pound title at Saturday's state finals at River Ridge High School in New Port Richey.

Baker, who qualified for the second straight year, broke her own school records after tying Spruce Creek's Sara Cowles for the top spot in the 129-pound class with a 320-pound total. Because she weighed .6 pounds less than Baker, the title went to Cowles.

Still, Baker's personal-best of 165 pounds in the bench press was the highest in her weight class by 10 pounds. She set new school marks in the bench press, the clean and jerk (155) and total weight lifted, eclipsing the records she set two weeks earlier at the sectional. She also became the first placewinner for Deltona.

"When the competition was done and I realized that I tied for first but would take second place because I weighed .6 more, I was a little disappointed but I was still very excited at the fact that I had actually tied for first place," she said. "Then my coaches came up to me afterwards and told me what a great job I had done and that I had lifted the heaviest weight on bench press for my weight class and I was even more excited."

In capturing the 119-pound weight class title, Baranet established a new state record for total weight lifted at 310 pounds -- topping the 300-pound mark for the first time -- and set school marks in the bench press (150), clean and jerk (160) and total weight.

"I knew it was in her," said DeLand coach Al Smith. "From the way she popped 160 up, it looks as if we could have went up another 15 pounds, no problem. As long as she continues to train hard, the sky is the limit."

Baker, meanwhile, came in with a number in mind -- 165 in the bench. Her previous best in competition was 160, but she had put up 165 in practice the week before the meet.

But that was before she got sick.

"I woke up with a very sore throat and I wasn't sure I'd be able to lift it. When I did, I was so excited," she said. "I was really excited. I thought that if I got to 165, I would have a chance to medal.

"I'm happy for Sara placing first and I know I did the best that I could do. I tied her with a total weight of 320 pounds and that's the best I've ever lifted. I know that I worked very hard this season so I'm very, very happy where I placed in state."

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

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Times A-Changin'
By Marty Miller

NEW PORT RICHEY - In 1964, musician Bob Dylan penned one of his most lasting lyrics:

"Come mothers and fathers

Throughout the land

And don't criticize

What you don't understand

Your sons and daughters

Are beyond your command

Your old road is rapidly again

Please get out of the new one

If you can't lend a hand

For the times they are a-changin'."

Dylan's words echoed prophetic Saturday at the Florida High School Girls State Weightlifting Finals at River Ridge Middle/High School.

Kristian Stephens of Hernando and Johnisha Jackson of Central combined to do something no other female lifters in Hernando County have ever done -- place in the same meet.

Stephens finished fourth in the 183-pound weight class while Jackson came in third in the unlimited class.

Last season, Springstead High's Christine Alberts became the first Lady Eagle to place at states (fourth).

In no surprise, Spruce Creek won the team title Saturday for the fifth straight year with a team score of 56 points as five of its lifters won individual titles. Navarre and New Smyrna Beach tied for second with 11 points.

Jackson breaks through

Jackson, a senior with the Bears and in her fourth state tournament in a row, lifted 190 pounds in the bench press and 160 in the clean-and-jerk for a 350-pound total to win the first medal in girls weightlifting for the school.

Meanwhile Stephens, a senior in her second state meet, lifted 210 pounds in the bench and 140 in the clean-and-jerk for a 350-pound total to take fourth.

Stephens tied for third place with Talluya McKinnie of Navarre with 350 total pounds, but McKinnie was awarded third place because she weighed less.

Besides the two lifters who won medals in Saturday's meet, Hernando's Jasmine Sharpe tied for 12th place in the 183-pound weight class while the Leopards' Melody Hayes also tied for 12th in the unlimited class.

While both Jackson and Stephens came into the tournament seeded sixth place after their results from the sectional qualifier two weeks ago, both lifters had a better performance Saturday than they did at the section meet.

Jackson came into the tournament weighing 232 pounds and was the lightest lifter of any of the top ten.

In the bench press, Jackson made her first lift of 190 pounds but missed her next two tries at 200. Then in the clean-and-jerk, the Central senior hit on all three of her lifts of 140, 150 and 160 pounds.

"I came in here in sixth place and it was border-line with another lifter. So to move up three places and bring home the first medal ever for Central, it's awesome," said Jackson.

Her coach, Cliff Lohrey, said that he wasn't surprised by Jackson's finish Saturday.

"She's gotten seventh-place finishes as a sophomore and junior," commented Lohrey. "And it's a good end to one of the better careers in Hernando County."

With Lakitta Jackson of North Marion blowing away the competition by lifting 250 pounds in the bench press and 215 in the clean-and-jerk to win the title, Jackson beat her mark at the sectional in the clean-and-jerk by 20 pounds.

"I was thinking this morning I hope I do better, I've been seventh place twice and today, I am going to do better," Jackson said after the awards ceremony. "I wanted to get on the award platform today and I did. I'm excited I ended my career like this and not go home empty-handed."

Hayes tied for 12th place in the unlimited class with lifts of 175-140--315 pounds, but felt that she had done her best.

"I preformed to the best of my abilities and I gave it my all," Hayes said. "I worked hard to get here and I'm happy to be here. I can't get mad or cry, I did my best. I worked hard this year and now I'm off to college."

For Sharpe, the only junior of the four county state qualifiers, states was a disappointment as she had lifts of 145-135-280.

"Yeah, it does bother me, I didn't do as well as I hoped I would," Sharpe said.

Like Hayes, Sharpe had four of her six lifts ruled no good and that did bother her.

"On the first and second lifts in the bench press," Sharpe recalled, "my coach told me she thought they were good but the judges ruled them a scratch."

When asked what she planned to do between now and next season, Sharpe had a quick answer, "Practice, practice, practice. My goal was to make it to the top six and I didn't make it, so next year I will."

For Stephens, Saturday ended with a medal in her second appearance at the state meet. In the finals, Stephens made her opening two lifts in the bench press at 200 and 210 pounds, but missed her third lift at 215.

But she came out of that portion tied for second place and in the clean-and-jerk again made her opening two lifts of 130 and 140 pounds before missing her last lift at 145 pounds.

She also injured her left hamstring on her final lift, but the senior who intends on going to Louisiana State University, settled on fourth place in the end.

"It feels good to finish third (tied)," she said. "It went OK but I'm a little upset about my clean-and-jerk because I thought the last lift was a good one."

Despite having a nagging leg injury, Stephens enjoyed getting a medal Saturday.

"I thought it was fun and I don't regret any of it," she said. "I did it the best I could every year I did it and yeah, I'm going to miss it when I go to college."

Her coach, Judi Decker, thought that all three of her lifters proved something Saturday.

"I think girls sports have changed a lot in the last couple of years. It's not fun and games anymore, I think people are finally seeing it as a sport," Decker said.

So, maybe Dylan was right, the times are a-changin'.

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

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Dixon Lifts Her Peers
By Cliff Gill

TRINITY - Three years ago, as a member of Mitchell High's softball team, Tenisha Dixon realized she needed to improve. Succeeding at a higher level required increased strength and better conditioning. She turned to her mother, Regenia, Mitchell's assistant weightlifting coach. Shortly afterward, Dixon began lifting weights regularly.

"I started weightlifting primarily for physical strength, but it helped me develop an inner strength and a mind strength as well. Weightlifting has helped me to focus better. The sport has taught me to discipline myself and believe that I could achieve more. Ultimately, I led a healthier lifestyle, became stronger and had more energy," she said.

Dixon's strength increased steadily. By her junior year, she had won All-Conference honorable mention for her weight class.

"Even though I had some success, I did not do as well as I was capable of doing. Competing against the best inspired me to improve," she said.

Dixon made a personal commitment to get better and, at this year's competition, won the sectional meet. She went on to place 11th at the state tournament.

Her weightlifting coach, Debbie Biscardi, said Dixon is a positive force in the weight room.

"She's focused and leads by example. Plus, she is always there to help and encourage others," Biscardi said.

One of Dixon's teammates is sophomore Hannah Gatley. Gatley, a first-year lifter, says Dixon has been her inspiration.

"Shortly after I started lifting, I reached a weight that I could not exceed. Tenisha came over and taught me how to improve my balance and lifting techniques. Her believing in me helped me to believe in myself. I can now lift 110 pounds on the clean-and-jerk, which I never thought I could ever achieve," Gatley said.

With the weightlifting season completed, Dixon can focus on her primary sport, softball. A .300 hitter every season, she has received numerous awards. Last year, Dixon made tremendous strides, capturing first-team All-Conference and honorable mention All-Tribune Pasco County recognition.

Several colleges, including four Division I schools, offered her a scholarship. She accepted a full scholarship offer from the University of Central Florida, becoming the first African-American student-athlete from Mitchell to receive a full scholarship from a Division I school.

Dixon also has excelled in the classroom, sporting a 3.8 GPA. She is a member of the school's high honor roll and has taken college-level courses in calculus, environmental science, English composition and Spanish.

Michelle Chamberlin, Mitchell's career specialist, said Dixon has been nominated for the High School Heisman Award. Sponsored by Wendy's, this award recognizes outstanding student-athletes.

"Tenisha is a role model who has contributed positively to our school community by encouraging others and by her strong character," Chamberlin said.

After school, Dixon participates in Youth Leadership Pasco, which allows students from local high schools to meet with business and government leaders.

"This experience has allowed me to meet some incredible students and to expand my career options. Nearly every corporate executive or government official we met with spoke about how they have helped other people, the environment or have had some improvement on society. That kind of impact on others appeals to me," said Dixon.

Dixon is already having a positive impact on others.