Topic: News: 2008 Florida High School Boy's State Championships

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

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Port Orange-Spruce Creek finishes second in state weightlifting

Port Orange Spruce Creek finished second and Lake Brantley fourth in the Class 2A boys weightlifting state meet Saturday at Embry-Riddle University.

Two area lifters won state titles, with Michael Ferrara-Urban of Lake Brantley prevailing at 183 pounds and Brandon Partin of DeLand winning in the 199-pound class. Ferrara-Urban lifted 370 pounds in the bench press and 265 in the clean-and-jerk for a 635 total. Partin benched 420 and lifted 280 in the clean-and-jerk for a 700 total.

Placing second in their weight classes were Juan Gonzalez of DeLand at 119, Michael Stephenson of Spruce Creek at 129, Morgan Kain of Spruce Creek at 154, Wade Downs of New Smyrna Beach at 169 and John Salvatore of Kissimmee Osceola in the heavyweight class.

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

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Wesley Chapel freshman Hunter Joyer is just shy of first
By Bill Lumpkin

DAYTONA BEACH — Little brother got the best of his big brother during the state weightlifting championships at Embry-Riddle's ICI Center on Saturday.

Wesley Chapel's Hunter Joyer, a 14-year-old freshman, took home a second-place medal when he lifted a personal-best 720 pounds in the 238-pound weight class. He had a bench of 445 pounds and a clean and jerk of 275 pounds, falling 5 pounds shy of Flagler Palm Coast Robert Paxia's winning total of 725 pounds.

The younger Joyer also will enjoy family bragging rights as older brother, Kamran Joyer, barely missed out on a medal in the heavyweight class. He had a bench of 415 and a clean and jerk of 270 to finish with a ninth-place total of 685 pounds.

"It feels great, especially with this being my first year, and I have three more years to win a state championship," said Hunter Joyer, who lifted 20 pounds more than his winning sectional total. "It would have been more enjoyable to finish first, but at least I finished second."

Paxia had to clean and jerk 310 on his second lift after opening with 285 for the victory.

"I wasn't expecting him to get the 310," Joyer said. "But I don't think I could have gone any higher. … I wanted to win, but it gives me something to shoot for in the future."

Wesley Chapel was the highest finisher among the local teams, finishing in a four-way tie for 16th with five points.

Sarasota and Spruce Creek tied for the state title with 21 points.

Medalists included Springstead's Steven Sullivan, who finished third in the 139-pound class, and River Ridge's Justin Russell, who was fourth in 169. Sullivan had a bench of 265 and a clean and jerk of 215 for 480 total, and Russell had a bench of 315 and a clean and jerk of 265 for 580 total.

Team Scores

1. Sarasota 21, 1. Spruce Creek 21, 3. Lake Brantley 13, 3. DeLand 13, 5. Jupiter 12, 6. Escambia 10, 7. Winter Springs 8, 7. Fort Walton Beach 8, 9. Mosley 7, 10. Palatka 7, 16. Wesley Chapel 5, 20. Springstead 4, 26. River Ridge 3, 38. Central 0.

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

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Sebastian River's Morgan 10th in Class 2A

DAYTONA BEACH — Sebastian River's Kevin Morgan finished 10th in the heavyweight division Saturday in the Class 2A boys weightlifting state tournament at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Morgan bench-pressed 360 pounds and added a 305-pound effort in the clean-and-jerk for a 665-pound total.

Pete Marron of Sarasota-Riverview won the state title with a 455 bench and 340 clean-and-jerk for a 795-pound total.

Morgan advanced to state by having the top weight total in the Section 8 qualifying meet, lifting 365 on the bench and 295 in the clean-and-jerk for a 660 total.

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

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Woytkiw twins push each other to gold, silver at FL HS Champs
By Brian Steele

DAYTONA BEACH - Adam Woytkiw owes part of his silver medal to his mom taking away his lunch money.

Here's how it played out: Woytkiw lost his job. His mom took away his lunch money. He lost about 20 pounds without the bank account padding. That dropped him down to the 139-pound weight class.

Saturday at the FHSAA state weightlifting finals, it all came full circle for him and his twin brother, Alex. Alex won state and Adam had the highest bench press in his weight class and finished second overall. Alex won the 129-pound class with a total lift of 470 and won even though he missed his last two bench presses. Adam benched 290 and had a total lift of 505 pounds, but his clean and jerk was 50 less than the first-place finisher.

"I really think if he wasn't there helping me, it wouldn't have gone down the way it did today," Alex said of his brother. "What kind of twins can say that [they both placed at a state weightlifting meet]? Even second, that's still really impressive."

And it turned it out even better than the two could've originally thought. While the seniors had no qualms about missing their prom Friday night, they might not be the only ones who are glad they missed it as the prom was cut short by a broken generator. Adam, who was nominated for prom court, said someone must've being looking down on them.

"I'd rather look back when I'm 70 years old and be like, 'I was the strongest kid in the state when I was 18 years old,'" Alex said. "I've being dreaming about it for four years now."

Jupiter finished fifth overall, and did so with Travis Beach not making weight. Eric Catsman finished seventh overall for Jupiter in the 219 class. But the real story is the attitude the Woytkiw twins have brought to the program the past four years.

"They had no spring break," Jupiter coach Doug Sanders said. "They had no prom. It probably wasn't very fun for them then, but it's pretty fun for them right now."

Before every clean and jerk, each twin would stand in front of the other talking to the other to get the blood flowing. Then, after nearly each successful lift, fists would be pumped into the air and jubilant yells came out.

"[Friday] ... guys were winning and … not one expression came on their face. They just sat there," Adam said. "You can't get pumped up unless you want to be pumped up and you got someone there to smack you across the face and tell you to wake up. It works.

"We're raising the bar for Palm Beach County."

Seminole Ridge's Colton Coss also proved his worth by coming in third overall in the 119 class.

"It's crazy, just the fact of coming home, showing everybody, 'Look what I can do. Look what I've achieved,'" Coss said. "Plus, show the kids, 'Look what I did and I'm little.'"

Now it's time to start thinking about next season for the Seminole junior. Coss came in seventh last year at states, improved his bench 80 pounds this season and now is aiming higher next season.

"Next year, whatever I weigh, if I have to cut, I'll cut," Coss said.

Seminole Ridge finished 20th overall with Tommy Rodriguez coming in ninth for the Hawks in the 154 class. Port Orange Spruce Creek and Sarasota tied for first.

RESULTS
Top locals — 119 pounds: 3. Colton Coss, Seminole Ridge (240 BP, 180 CJ), 14. Austin Rodriguez, SemR, (175 BP, 170 CJ); 129: 1. Alex Woytkiw, Jupiter (250 BP, 220 CJ), 12. Sean Rochefort, SemR, (220 BP, 175 CJ); 139: 2. Adam Woytkin, Jupit.(290 BP, 215 CJ), 11. Jeff Moise SemR, (215 BP, 215 CJ); 154: 9. Tommy Rodriguez, SemR, (265, 240); 169: 11. Charles Frederick, Boynton Beach (305 BP, 240 CJ), 16. Matt Collado, SemR, (295 BP, 225 CJ); 11. Josh Hawks, SemR, (290 BP, 270 CJ); 199: 14. Curtis Griswold, SemR, (295 BP, 250 CJ); 219: 7. Eric Catsman, Jupit., (375 BP, 245 CJ), 10. Bobby Zajicek, Wellington (360 BP, 250 CJ), 13. Chauncey Pikini, SemR, (320 BP, 275 CJ); 238: 13. Phil Marfisi, Well., (355 BP, 275 CJ); HWT: 11. Reginald Cash, Boynton Beach, (380 BP, 245 CJ).

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

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Heartland Lifters Shine At State Meet

DAYTONA BEACH — Five Heartland weightlifters ventured to Daytona Beach on Saturday for the Class 1A state meet at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Avon Park junior Joel Cuencas, who competed in the 119-pound weight class, got things rolling by finishing fifth with a combined weight of 380 pounds. Cuencas benched 215 pounds and came back to clean-and-jerk 165 pounds.

Avon Park's Alvin Hinson managed to finish sixth in the 169-pound weight class with a bench press of 315 pounds and a clean-and-jerk of 255 for a combined total of 570 pounds.

Sebring senior Brannen Dorman came in fifth in the 199-pound division with a bench of 305 and a clean-and-jerk of 295 for a total of 600 pounds.

Blue Streak junior Jonathon Rodriguez competed in the 139-pound weight class and benched 250 pounds, but scratched on his clean-and-jerk attempts and did not record a total weight.

Sebring's Kenny Daniels competed in the 219-pound weight class and benched 325 pounds, but scratched on his clean-and-jerk efforts and did not record a total weight.

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

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Suwannee's Yulee wins state title
By Cliff Olsen

Jarett Yulee became the first Suwannee athlete in four years to win a state title as he captured the crown at the 154-pound weight class at Friday’s FHSAA Class 1A boys state weightlifting meet held at Embry Riddle University in Daytona Beach.
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Yulee won the state championship by a slim margin after a weigh-in tiebreaker was needed to determine the winner.

Yulee (270-bench press, 270-clean and jerk) and Altha’s Anthony Golden (285- bench press, 255-clean and jerk) were each tied for first place with a total weight of 540 pounds. But the Suwannee senior weighed in at 151.1 pounds, slightly less than Golden's 152.2 pounds, thus winning the tie-breaker.

Yulee, fourth at last year’s meet, is the first Bulldog to win a state crown since Charles Wooten won the Class 1A heavyweight class in 2004.

Other area lifters who placed in the top six and received a medal include Dennis Taylor of Keystone Heights, sixth at 119; Fort White's Christopher Griffith, second at 139; Interlachen’s Brandon Douglas, fourth at 139; Garrett Strickland of Keystone Heights, fifth at 154; Interlachen’s Dustin Douglas sixth at 154; Sam Theisen of Keystone Heights, sixth at 183 and Interlachen’s Jamel Leonard, third at 238.

Glen St. Mary Baker County won the Class 1A team title, topping two-time defending champion Panama City Beach Arnold 30-19.

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

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Joyer Second At State Weightlifting
By Larry Bugg

DAYTONA BEACH - Hunter Joyer obviously wanted first place.

Unfortunately, it was second place for the 14-year-old freshman from Wesley Chapel at the Class 2A boys weightlifting state finals Saturday at Embry-Riddle University.

Joyer had a 445-pound bench press and a 275-pound clean and jerk for a 720-pound total. He was lifting in the 238-pound class.

Joyer had the best finish at state of any lifter in Pasco County. Hudson's Travis Tindell took third in the heavyweight title in the 1A meet.

Flagler Palm Coast's Robert Paxia won the title with a 310-pound clean and jerk. He finished with 725 pounds, five more than Joyer.

Joyer was disappointed but knows he has three more chances to take a state title.

"It feels good but I wish I could take first," said Joyer. "As soon as Paxia got 310 on clean and jerk, I knew he won."

Coach Abel Robinson was very proud of his freshman.

"He works hard," Robinson said. "He has been working on weights since he was 12. I am proud to have the best weightlifter in the county. You forget that he is 14. I am real proud of him. He may not be excited but we are ecstatic that he took second.

"We believe that if we would have had one more week of preparation, he would have won the state title. He went up 20 pounds every week."

Kamran Joyer, Hunter's older brother, was ninth in the heavyweight class. He had a personal record of 415 in the bench and 270 in the clean and jerk for a 685 total.

"Kamran knows what he has to do next year," said Robinson. "Hopefully, next year we will have two state champs."

Kamran felt he should have lifted more. He has a personal best of 280 in the clean and jerk.

"It was my first time at state," said Kamran. "I don't feel too good. I didn't do the best I could do."

River Ridge's Justin Russell (315-265-580) took fourth at 169 pounds. Teammate Mario Stewart (225-185-410) was ninth at 129 pounds.

Sarasota and Port Orange Spruce Creek tied for the team title with 21 points each. Wesley Chapel was 16{+t}{+h} with five points. River Ridge was 26{+t}{+h} with three points.

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

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Jupiter lifter wins state championship
By Bill Lumpkin

DAYTONA BEACH — Alex Woytkiw of Jupiter on Saturday became the first in Palm Beach County history to win a state weight lifting championship.

Woytkiw, a senior, won the 129-pound title at the Class 2A state meet at Embry Riddle University. His twin brother, Adam, also turned in an impressive performance, finishing second at 139 pounds.

"Maybe this will raise the bar for Palm Beach County," Alex Woytkiw said. "I always wanted to be a state champion. I sure didn't think it was possible when I was a skinny little 115-pound freshman three years ago.

"But I worked my butt off to do things the right way. My brother had the same dream and it could have been either one of us."

Adam said he can thank his mom for his silver medal. He recently was fired from a job and she cut off his allowance.

"I didn't have any money, so I couldn't eat," he said. "It made me cut weight and I really rededicated myself these last weeks. I really owe all this to my mom. She's my best friend. She can wear my medal any time."

Alex won the title with a 250-pound bench press and a clean and jerk of 220 pounds for a 470 total. Spruce Creek's Michael Stephenson finished second when he failed on his final two tries in the clean and jerk.

"I was thinking the whole time just not to choke," Alex said. "All I wanted was to get in the top three and now I'm the first state champion from Palm Beach County."

Adam could have joined his brother, but he missed on three of his six lifts. He finished with a bench of 290 and a clean and jerk of 215 for a 505 total, 20 pounds behind Sarasota's Kris Slimick.

"I couldn't sleep at all last night," Adam Woytkiw said. "I don't think it was because I was nervous. I think it was because I was so hungry. I haven't eaten in a week. I'm ready to get my life back, but this is great because it means all this hard work has paid off.

"It's great that my brother won. It could have been me, but I'm not envious at all. A lot of people get us confused, anyway. A lot of people are always calling me Alex. Maybe I'll let them call me Alex this week and I'll see what it feels like to be a state champion."

Sarasota and Spruce Creek tied for the Class 2A state title and Jupiter finished fifth.

"This is huge for the county and huge for these kids," Jupiter coach Doug Sanders said.

Seminole Ridge's Colton Coss also medaled Saturday, taking third at 119 pounds with a total of 420 pounds.