Topic: News: Spruce Creek Wins 6th Straight Girls FL State WL Champs

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

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Spruce Creek Wins 6th Straight Girls Florida State Weightlifting Championships
By Andy Villamarzo

NEW PORT RICHEY — Spruce Creek won its sixth straight state title in girls weightlifting at River Ridge High on Saturday evening, capping a day in which 13 state records were posted.

River Ridge had two lifters finish in the top five, as Natalie Marenghi finished fourth in the 110-pound weight class and teammate Brianna Hooker finished in fifth place in the 119-pound weight class.

"It feels good, this is the best I have ever done at states," Marenghi said.

"It was fun. I had a personal best today on the bench (155 pounds), and I had a lot of fun this season in my senior year," Hooker said.

As for state records, Lakitta Johnson of North Marion set three (280 pounds in the bench, 230 clean and jerk for a 510 total) in the unlimited weight class, and so did Spruce Creek's Morgan Candage (215, 210, 425) at 169.

Other North Suncoast notables included Gulf's Jordyn Roberts, who finished in 10th place in the 154-pound weight class.

"I was just really excited that I got to join the 300 club (300 pounds combined bench press and clean and jerk) and I listened to everything my coach told me and I thought I did really well today seeing that it is only my second year of weightlifting," Roberts said.

Ridgewood's Lauren Heymann was tied for 11th place in the 139-pound weight class, and teammate Elizabeth Clum had a good day, finishing 10th in the 169-pound weight class.

Hudson's Kalah St.Pierre, who had hoped to finish in the top five, fell short of her goal and finish in tied for ninth in the 110-pound weight class.

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

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Morgan Candage, Spruce Creek dominate FHSAA state weighlifting meet
By Joe Williams

Morgan Candage became the first member of Port Orange Spruce Creek's girls weightlifting team to win three individual state championships Saturday by winning the 169-pound weight class during the FHSAA state meet at New Port Richey River Ridge.

Spruce Creek's team also continued its domination, winning its sixth consecutive team title.

The Hawks are the only team to win a state championship since the FHSAA started a state competition in the sport in 2004.

Spruce Creek finished with 30 points and New Smyrna Beach was the state runner-up for the third time in the program's history, finishing with 19 points. Lake City Columbia finished third with 16 points.

"It never gets old," Spruce Creek Coach Tom Bennett said about the state title. "Each state championship is special because it is done with a different group of girls. Each one is special because the girls always focus on the current year, not what has happened in the past."

Candage set state records at the 169-pound weight class with a 215-pound bench press, a clean-and-jerk of 210 and a total weight of 425.

Second place went to Brynn Forsythe of West Orange, who had a 350 total.

The one caveat to Candage's three state titles is that her first, as a sophomore in the 139-pound class, came when she was at Daytona Beach Seabreeze.

She won the 154-pound weight class as a junior at Spruce Creek.

Candage's performance was just one outstanding effort for the Hawks, who had three weight-class state champs.

Kristian Rainge-Campbell won this year's state title, tying or setting state records at the bench (200), clean-and-jerk (210) and total (410), and Spruce Creek's Kaysie Junco also repeated as the state champion at 101.

Team standings: 1. Port Orange Spruce Creek 30, 2. New Smyrna Beach 19, 3. Lake City Columbia 16, 4. Port Charlotte 11, 5. Bradenton Southeast 10, 6 (t) Panama City Bozeman, Bradenton Manatee 9, 8. (t) Timber Creek, Wekiva 8, 10. (t) DeLand, Fort Walton Beach, Lake Mary, Citra North Marion, Kissimmee Osceola, Jacksonville Lee 7. Other area teams: 17 (t). Colonial, West Orange 5, 20. Winter Springs 4, 31. (t) Harmony, Oviedo, St. Cloud 1.

Individual results: 101: 1. Kaysie Junco, Spruce Creek, 130-145—275; 110: 1. Ashley Neena, Lake Mary, 140-140—280; 119: 1. Zanquina Ellison, Kissimmee Osceola, 175*-155—330*; 129: 1. Kristin Boyer, Fort Walton Beach, 150-160—310; 139: 1. Niaja Griffin, Wekiva, 160-160—320; 154: 1. Kristian Rainge-Campbell, Spruce Creek, 200^-210*--410*; 169: 1. Morgan Candage, Spruce Creek, 215*-210*-- 425*; 181: 1. Celeste Gomez, Lake City Columbia, 210-215*--425^; 199: 1. Shanae Rufus, Jacksonville Lee, 210-195^--405*; Unl.: 1. Lakitta Johnson, Citra North Marion, 280*-230*--510*; Key: First weight is bench, second is clean-and-jerk, third is total for the two lifts. New state records are indicated by an *; tied state records are indicated by an ^.

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

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Boyer wins girls weightlifting state title

Fort Walton Beach's Kristin Boyer finally raised 150 pounds on the bench press, and it led directly to her hoisting the hardware at the girls state weightlifting meet.

On Saturday at River Ridge High in New Port Richey, Boyer captured the state title in the 129-pound weight class with a combined lift of 310 pounds.

"I guess I'm still in shock," Boyer said. "It still hasn't set in yet."

Boyer had tried to bench press 150 pounds at the Section 1 Meet and Super Qualifier meets but never succeeded before setting a career max on Saturday.

"I was really in the zone tonight and I hit 150, and it felt so good," she said. "It got me pumped for clean-and-jerk."

Boyer maxed out at 160 pounds on the clean-and-jerk, the second of the two lifts that participants perform.

Boyer actually tied for first, but the weight lifter who weighs the least is crowned the victor. After Boyer and Manatee's Lacie Jensen were an identical 129 pounds following the first weigh-in in the morning, a second weigh-in at the end of the meet showed that Boyer weighed less - 129.6 to 132.3.

"It was actually the most intense moment of my life," Boyer said of the second weigh-in.

Boyer had lifted a combined 285 pounds at the sectional and 305 at the Super Qualifier before turning in her best performance at state.

"It's an ecstatic feeling," she said.

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

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Fort Pierce Central's Mariella Luna takes 4th at state weightlifting

NEW PORT RICHEY — Fort Pierce Central's Mariella Luna turned in the top area finish at Saturday's state girls weight lifting meet at River Ridge High School.

Luna finished fourth in the unlimited class with a total lift of 375. She first benched 195 and then clean-and-jerked 180 to finish just 15 pounds out of second place.

Shaquita Love of Port St. Lucie had the second-highest area finish, taking sixth at 101 pounds. Love benched and clean-and-jerked 115 for a 230 total.

Seminole Ridge's Madelyn Gapko finished 5 pounds behind Love in the 101-pound class, benching 125 pounds and clean-and-jerking 100 pounds

Jupiter junior Brittany Freeman finished seventh at 169 pounds. She had a 155-pound bench press and a 155-pound clean-and-jerk. Her 310-pound total left her 5 pounds out of sixth place.

Three other Jupiter lifters competed at the meet.

At 119 pounds, Nikki Klein benched 120 and attempted a clean-and-jerk of 135, but wasn't able to lift it because of a muscle pull.

At 129 pounds, Lillian McBee benched 140 and clean-and-jerked 115 for a 255 total. At 139 pounds, Alexis Cataldo scratched.

"I thought Lilly did the best out of all of them, but Brittany also did well," Jupiter coach Karla Kelley said. "All the girls had good attitudes and gave it their best shot."

Kelley, in her first year as Jupiter coach, said Saturday was a good learning experience for her team.

"I'm looking forward to next year and building on this year's experience," she said.

Boynton Beach's Adrin Edourd finished tied for eighth in the unlimited class after lifting 335 total pounds (180 bench, 155 clean-and-jerk).

In the team standings, Fort Pierce Central tied for 12th with three points and Port St. Lucie tied for 14th with one point.

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

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Jensen loses title on tiebreaker
By RYAN T. BOYD

NEW PORT RICHEY — Lacie Jensen has a problem watching her diet.

And her love for food cost the Manatee High junior a chance to win a girls state weightlifting title on Saturday.

After weigh-ins at the state meet at River Ridge High, Jensen dashed to Denny’s for a steak, potato and eggs. When the event came to a close, Jensen was tied for first place with Kristen Boyer of Fort Walton Beach High in the 129-pound division.

The lifter weighing the least wins when there’s a tie. Jensen went from 129 pounds in the morning to 132.3 pounds by the final weigh-in. She gained the pounds after cutting her hair in the morning to make the weight.

“I love to eat all of the good stuff,” Jensen said. “I was also drinking Gatorade throughout the day to keep myself hydrated. I should have won, but I did my best, and I feel really good. I’m just a junior, and I still have next year.”

Jensen bench pressed 150 pounds and clean and jerked 160 pounds for a 310-pound total.

In all, three Manatee County schools had five players place in the top six in their respective weight classes.

All three of Southeast High’s weightlifters medaled at state.

Senior Caland McGruder (154 pound) also took second place, lifting 345 pounds (170 bench press, 175 clean and jerk). Junior Kelsey Vance won third for the second consecutive season at the state meet, lifting 345 pounds (170, 175), and Betty Jones, a senior and first-time state qualifier, took sixth in the 199-pound division, lifting 325 pounds (155, 170).

“Every day, before I went into the weight room, I would write on my hand, ‘You can do it.’” McGruder said. “Every time I felt like giving up, I would look down and see my motivation and keep pushing.”

McGruder chose to lift 175 pounds in the clean and jerk because she felt New Smyrna Beach’s Courtney Buldoc would try for 180 pounds and not get it up. Buldoc couldn’t lift the weight.

“I was sorry for her, but happy for myself,” McGruder said. “I was screaming and bubbling inside. I’m on cloud nine.”

It was hard for Southeast coach K.C. Dunlap to hide his excitement.

“I couldn’t be prouder of the girls,” Dunlap said. “They were on a mission. We have a pretty decent nucleus coming back next year. When you have great athletes like this, it makes an average coach look good. I’m an average coach, and they made me look good. I’m looking forward to next year.”

For the Hurricanes, Casey Kinkopf finished in fifth place in the 139-pound category. The senior bench pressed 155 pounds and clean and jerked 160 pounds, and in the 199-pound division, Deanna Poelsma also took fifth place, lifting 325 pounds (145, 180).

Lakewood Ranch’s lone weight lifter, Jessica Terry (183 pounds), finished 12th, lifting 285 pounds (150, 135).

In the overall team scores, Southeast finished in fifth place with 10 points, and Manatee was tied for sixth with nine.

“Overall, my girls totally impressed me,” Manatee coach Steve Gulash said. “They worked their butts off, and they are all young and will be back next year.”

GIRLS STATE WEIGHTLIFTING MEET

at New Port Richey

Top six in each class earn medal

101-pound division — 1. Kaysie Junco, Spruce Creek, 130-145—275; 2. Kate Ingebretson, Port Charlotte, 120-120—240; 3. Aqlimiya Simmons, New Smyrna Beach, 120-115—235; 4. Kia Miller, Timber Creek, 110-125—235; 5. Lindsey Koren, Spruce Creek, 115-115—230; 6. Shaquita Love, Port St. Lucie, 115-115—230.

110-pound division — 1. Ashley Neena, Lake Mary, 140-140—280; 2. Jessica Mitchell, New Smyrna Beach, 135-140—275; 3. Jennifer Payne, Bozeman, 140-125—265; 4. Natalie Marenghi, River Ridge, 145-115—260; 5. Jennifer Altreche, Timber Creek, 120-135—255; 6. Kanesha Hixon, Wekiva, 115-140—255.

119-pound division — 1. Zanquina Ellison, Osceola, 175-155—330; 2. Tara Stephens, Columbia, 155-160—315; 3. Christy Baranet, DeLand, 155-150—305; 4. Tinisha Thomas, Navarre, 155-145—300; 5. Brianna Hooker, River Ridge, 155-140—295; 6. Lauren Schroeder, St. Cloud, 145-135—280; 13. Stevie Christianson, Manatee, 120-130—250.

129-pound division — 1. Kristin Boyer, Fort Walton Beach, 150-160—310; 2. Lacie Jensen, Manatee, 150-160—310; 3. Miranda Sheffey, Spruce Creek, 150-150—300; 4. Kelly Spradling, Gainesville, 145-150—295; 5. Dieldra Clark, Washington, 145-150—295; 6. Kara Dooling, Venice, 140-145—285.

139-pound division — 1.Naija Griffin, Wekiva, 160-160—320; 2. Alicia Choquette, New Smyrna Beach, 155-165—320; 3. Alaina Timmons, Columbia 155-165—320; 4. Stephanie Mayo, Altha, 155-160—315; 5. Casey Kinkopf, Manatee, 155-160—315; 6. Holly Krzeminski, Port Charlotte, 130-180—310

154-pound division — 1.Kristian Rainge-Campbell, Spruce Creek, 200-210—410; 2. Caland McGruder, Southeast, 170-175—345; 3. Courtney Buldoc, New Smyrna Beach, 160-170—330; 4. Holli Barnett, Union County, 155-170—325; 5. Nicole Corey, Choctawhatchee, 165-160—325; 6. Ariel Freeland, Gainesville, 155-160—315.

169-pound division — 1. Morgan Candage, Spruce Creek, 215-210—425; 2. Brynn Forsythe, West Orange, 170-180—350; 3. Kelsey Vance, Southeast, 170-175—345; 4. Ashley Bueche, Spruce Creek, 170-145—315; 5. Bryanna Williams, North Marion, 145-170—315; 6. Kristen Penland, New Smyrna Beach, 165-150—315.

183-pound division — 1. Celeste Gomez, Columbia, 210-215—425; 2. Ashley Rivera, Colonial, 205-195—400; 3. Lydia Boyette, Santa Fe, 175-160—335; 4. Kaylyn Freeborough, DeLand, 175-145—320; 5. Sara Roberts, Milton, 165-155—320; 6. Cheypel Ross, Harmony, 170-140—310; 12. Jessica Terry, Lakewood Ranch, 150-135—285

199-pound division — 1. Shanea Rufus, Robert E. Lee, 210-195—405; 2. Kasey Franks, Bozeman, 210-175—385; 3. Laurie Beauvais, North Port, 155-190—345; 4. Stefania Maresca, Timber Creek, 150-180—330; 5. Deanna Poelsma, Manatee, 145-180—325; 6. Betty Jones, Southeast, 155-170—325.

Unlimited — 1. Lakitta Johnson, North Marion, 280-230—510; 2. Sandra Bernard, Port Charlotte, 210-180—390; 3. Shamara Denard, Winter Springs, 215-170—385; 4. Mariella Luna, Fort Pierce Central, 195-180—375; 5. Tempest Williams, Gainesville, 185-165—350; 6. Karma Bolin, Oviedo, 175-175—350.

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

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River Ridge Girls Place At State
By LARRY BUGG

NEW PORT RICHEY - Two River Ridge High girls medaled Saturday in the Florida High School Athletic Association State Girls Weightlifting Meet at River Ridge High School.

Junior Natalie Marenghi took fourth in the 110-pound class. She had a 145-pound bench and a 115-pound clean and jerk.

Senior Brianna Hooker took fifth in her fourth and final trip to state.

River Ridge finished 17th with five points. Port Orange Spruce Creek won its sixth title with 30 points.

Her coach enjoyed the finish.

"This is the best showing for River Ridge," Coach Mike DeGennaro said. "I'm very proud of them. I bring seven girls. We had fun and we can build on it for next year."

Hooker moved up a weight class from 110 and finished fifth in the 119-pound class. She had a 155-pound bench press and a 140-pound clean and jerk. She was tied for second in the 110-pound class in 2008.

River Ridge's Megan Shoun was eighth in the 199-pound class. She had a 155-pound clean and jerk lift and 160-pound bench press. This was the second trip to state for the sophomore.

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

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5 female Pine Crest weightlifters qualify for state finals
By Cliff Gill

New Port Richey - Five girls' weightlifters from Pine Crest High qualified for the state finals Saturday at River Ridge High School in New Port Richey. Leading the team was Bethina Daglaris, who placed 12th last year at the state finals in the 183-pound weight class. Also expected to finish in the top 10 was Alexis Pratt in the 169-pound weight class.

"Our season is eight weeks long, from November 17 to February 14, with a week off for Thanksgiving and Christmas," said Pine Crest coach Bonnie Weaver, a strength and conditioning coach at Core Fitness in Fort Lauderdale Is your Fort Lauderdale restaurant clean? - Click Here.. "To stay in shape, girls often play other sports. During the season, we work out for two hours, five to six hours per day each week. I do everything to build muscle foundation, with low weights and high repetition. I also give them advice on nutrition."

With the heavyweight classes (154 pounds and up) going first, Daglaris had a bench press of 135 pounds and a clean and jerk lift of 155 pounds. Her 290-pound total earned her ninth place in a group of 27.

"I feel fabulous because I did my absolute best and tried my hardest, and that's all I can ask for," Daglaris said.

Pratt, ranked 26th going into the finals, benched 130 pounds, and her clean and jerk was 125 pounds. Heather Udell, in the 110-pound weight class, benched 110 pounds, and her clean and jerk was 105 pounds. Caitlin Schuesser, in the 129 weight class, benched 115 pounds, and her clean and jerk was 130 pounds. Madeline Lesser, in the 139 weight class, benched 115 pounds and had a clean and jerk lift of 130 pounds.

"Over the season we worked hard, both in morning workouts and for two hours after school," said Daglaris. "It's all about determination."

"Weightlifting is not like other sports, because you can only get your body so much stronger," Weaver added. "When they're only in their second year of an eight-week sport, to be here is doing the best they can. They're beating their own personal records and doing great."

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

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Boynton Beach's Latonya Davis sets PR at state weightlifting tournament
By Cliff Gill

New Port Richey - While it wasn't enough for a medal, Boynton Beach's Latonya Davis set a personal best at the state girls' weightlifting championships on Saturday in New Port Richey.

"I had my personal best in bench press with 125 and lifted 125 pounds in the clean and jerk, for total of 250," said Davis, who finished 19th in the 199-pound weight class. "Compared to other meets, I was relaxed. I pray often during a meet."

Five Palm Beach County schools — Jupiter, Seminole Ridge, Boynton Beach, Palm Beach Lakes and Royal Palm Beach — were represented by a total of 12 weightlifters. The tournament ran behind schedule, and the final rankings were unavailable.

Adrin Edourd of Boynton Beach had a 335 total and finished 12th in the unlimited weight class. Jupiter's Brittany Freeman finished seventh in the 169 weight class with a 310-pound total. Royal Palm Beach's Taylor Harris finished 22nd with a 245-pound total in the 199 weight class.