Topic: News: Florida High School State Weightlifting Championships

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

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Bess, Richardson lead local entries
By Richard Burton

NEW PORT RICHEY — The future of Marion County weightlifting looks bright after the performances of a trio of underclassmen on Saturday at the Class 1A state weightlifting meet.

North Marion sophomore Hakeem Bess placed second at 119 pounds, while sophomore teammate Shaman Richardson and Dunnellon junior Levone Vereen earned third at heavyweight and 154 pounds respectively to cap off an impressive day for the area.

“It feels terrific to place second,” said Bess, who totaled 410 pounds on Saturday, 100 more than he had last season. “I didn’t really think that I would place this high, but it feels good.”

Bess was eight pounds overweight on Friday night around 8, but made weight on Saturday morning at 7 a.m.

“It was trouble trying to lose the weight,” said Bess, who bench pressed 220 pounds and clean-and-jerked 190. “I stayed in the bathroom with the shower running out hot water and it was like a sauna.

“(On Saturday), I felt I could have done better, but I really went out and gave it my all.”

Glen St. Mary Baker County’s Ryan Young won the title 119 at pounds, after finishing second last season.

Young finished with a 430-pound total, 20 more than Bess.

In the heavyweight class, Richardson finished with a 710-pound total, 25 pounds off of the winning total posted by Glen St. Mary Baker County’s Ethan Munson, who won the title over Panama City Arnold’s Cody Danna on body weight.

“I’m very satisfied that I placed third,” Richardson said. “It’s overwhelming to me.”

Richardson trains with Alva Brown at the former Dunnellon state champion’s gym called Solofit.

The training has paid off.

Richardson entered ninth grade with a bench press of 315 and has already upped it by 110 pounds.

“We do lots of different routines,” Richardson said. “We do floor presses and put chains on the bars (for resistance) and we do a light day, which we call shock day because it gives your body a shock.

“My goal for next year is a 500-pound bench press and a 400-pound clean-and-jerk.”

Dunnellon’s Vereen finished with 535-pound total, 15 off the pace set by the overall winner at 154, Dustin Douglas of Interlachen.

“I just thank God for everything,” said Vereen, who placed seventh in Class 2A at 139 for Belleview last year. “My coaches (Frank Beasley and Patrick Carty) have been working hard with our team. I know that next year that I have to work even harder.”

West Port’s Cody Gerhart (199) and North Marion’s Zachery Hern (169) and David Simmons (238) missed placing by one spot and finished seventh in their respective weight classes.

Gerhart totaled 625 pounds at 199, but came up just five pounds short of earning a medal, as did Hern.

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

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Hernandi County lifters blanked
By C.J. RISAK

NEW PORT RICHEY - Coming into the 35th annual FHSAA 1A State Championship Boys Weightlifting meet, it was a phrase two local lifters hoped they'd never utter.

But by meet's end, it was all that was left to them. And, in truth, it carried a lot of weight.

"At least I had the opportunity."

Neither Nature Coast Technical senior Joe Magnoli nor Hernando High senior Clay Kessler, both competing in the 219-pound weight class at Saturday's 1A State Weightlifting Final at River Ridge Middle/High School, could make it into the top six for a medal. But both first-year lifters were content that at least they had the chance.

Weightlifting is a sport built around optimism and self-confidence, with frustration always lurking close by. All three played a role in the two county lifters' performance.

Both had career-best performances 2 1/2 weeks ago at the 1A Section IV Meet at Hudson, Magnoli with a 340-pound bench press and a 270 clean-and-jerk for a 610-pound total. That put him in a tie for the No. 3 seed going into the state final.

Kessler put a 345 bench with a 235 clean-and-jerk for a personal-best 580-lb. total.
For both, the trip to states was a first. And for both, competing in weightlifting's ultimate stage was a new experience.
A satisfying one at that, despite some setbacks that had to be overcome.

For Kessler, it started last fall when he tore a hamstring muscle during football season.

"I'd gotten some interest from USF (South Florida) and NC State (North Carolina State), until I missed half the season," said Kessler.

A tight end/linebacker, Kessler still is drawing some interest from Division II schools for his football prowess.
"I don't want football to end," he said, adding that a future in weightlifting is "a good possibility."

Kessler transferred to Hernando from Hernando Christian, which didn't have a lifting team. What he hopes to major in in college helps explain his more-than-a-passing interest in lifting -- exercise physiology.

Getting involved in weightlifting helped Kessler recover from his fall injury, but what he couldn't do at state was match his sectional performance. Tied for the 14th seed in the 18-person field, he managed only a 325 bench and a 225 clean-and-jerk for a 550 total, finishing 15th.

"It was my first year doing it," he said. "I was just glad I got here."

Mignoli misses out

Having a shot at a medal, Magnoli may have entertained higher goals, but his window of opportunity started to fog just after the sectional meet when he was in a car accident. He injured his wrists and strained a shoulder tendon -- injuries which, although not serious, could not have come at a worse time.

"I don't want to make any excuses," he said after a 325-lb. press and 265-lb. clean-and-jerk, for a 590-lb. total that left him in eighth place.

"I still think I did all right," he said.
Adding to his frustration was the strict level of judging, particularly in the clean-and-jerk.

"The clean-and-jerk is all technique," he said. "And the judging here is really strict. Anything can happen.

"(On my last lift) they said I rolled (the bar). That was disappointing. I thought I could have done better."

Like Kessler, Magnoli will continue to train – his workouts during the season were five days a week consisting of two-hour sessions – with hopes of sticking with the sport.

"The good thing about weightlifting is that it is individual, and we all like to compete against each other, but you can still cheer for others," he said.

Which is what he did: Cheered for others while hoping their best wasn't as good as his. On this day, it didn't quite work out that way.
 
Final Class 1A Top 6 Lifters at 219 pounds
PL Name School Bench C&J Total
1. Tevin Bryant (Bradenton-Braden River) 365-315—680.
2. Devon Palombo (Hudson) 355-305—660.
3. Chester Moraniec (Ponte Vedra) 340-300—640.
4. Darvin Ruise Baker County (Glen St. Mary) 310-315—625.
5. Jason Petty (Hilliard) 320-305—625.
6. Jarvis Farmer Baker County (Glen St. Mary) 300-315—615
Others:
8. Joe Mignoli (Brooksville-Nature Coast) 325-265—590.
15. Clay Kessler (Brooksville-Hernando) 325-225—550.

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

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Red Devil lifters fare well at state meet
By MARK PINSON

NEW PORT RICHEY - Qualifying four weightlifters for the state finals was an accomplishment in itself, but Avon Park senior Joel Cuencas took his effort to the next level by placing second in the 129-pound weight class at the Class 1A finals on Saturday at River Ridge High School.

Cuencas set a school record with a 255-pound bench press and then lifted 190 pounds in the clean-and-jerk competition for a combined total of 445 pounds to finish second to Hudson's Joseph Cimino's winning total of 460 pounds.

"I'm really pleased with Joel's effort," said Red Devil coach Don Hickman. "He had a better clean-and-jerk lift, but the judge ruled it wasn't a clean lift.

"Second in the state is quite an accomplishment and it was a great way for Joel to finish his high school career because he was one of our hardest workers and a team leader."

Avon Park senior Alvin Hinson tied for third with a bench press of 340 pounds and a clean-and-jerk of 260 pounds for a personal-best combined total of 600 pounds.

Hinson settled for fourth because of more body weight than Terry Stinson of Altha, while Jake Woodham of Arnold (Panama City Beach) won the weight class with 625 pounds.

"Alvin had a good day," said Hickman. "To have a personal best at state is great and Alvin's work ethic and dedication paid off for him in a big way.

"A lot of the weightlifters from our region did well at state and it shows how tough our area is when it comes to lifting."

Red Devil junior Teddy Allen finished seventh in the 219-pound weight class with a personal-best bench press of 315 pounds and a clean-and-jerk of 285 for a combined personal-best total of 600 pounds.

"Teddy's bench press was impressive," said Hickman. "I'm very pleased with his effort and I think he learned a lot competing in this kind of intense environment and against this kind of competition.

"He's upset that he didn't do better, but now he knows what it takes to succeed at this level and he's going to work that much harder in the weight room."

Tevin Bryant of Braden River won the 219-pound weight class with a total of 680 pounds.

Avon Park junior David Edmondson finished ninth in the heavyweight class with a bench press of 360 and a clean-and-jerk of 270 for a total of 630 pounds, while Ethan Munson of Baker County won the class with a total of 735 pounds.

"David did the best he could, but he started a little heavy and never caught up," Hickman said. "He's upset, but he's going to learn from this and hopefully, come back next year and win his weight class."

With a strong nucleus returning next year, the Red Devils are primed to be a force once again.

"We had a great season and capped it off with a solid performance at the state meet," said Hickman. "We've got a bunch of guys coming back next year and if we continue to work hard we should be strong again."

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

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Pirates' Bryant wins state title

NEW PORT RICHEY - Tevin Bryant lived up to the billing.

Ranked first in the 219-pound weight class at the Class 1A Boys State Weightlifting Meet, the Braden River standout captured the state title.

Bryant lifted 365 pounds in the clean and jerk and benched 315 for a 680 total Saturday at River Ridge High School.

Bryant's total was 20 pounds more than Hudson's Devon Palombo.

With 12 team points, Braden River finished tied for sixth with Interlachen. Glen St. Mary Baker County easily captured the title with 34 points.

Six of the 10 area competitors finished among the top six in their respective classes.

Braden River's Thomas Ely and Nickolas Gaines and Cardinal Mooney's Benjamin Bobish took fifths. Ely had a combined 615 (300-315) in the 183-pound class. Gaines was consistent in hoisting 650 (325-325) at 238. Bobish lifted 590 (320-270) at 169.

Finishing directly behind Bobish in a tie for sixth at 169 was Braden River's Carmelo Scalone, who lifted 580. Braden River's Chris Wong also grabbed sixth at 119 with 365.

Other area competitors were Cardinal Mooney's Mark Smith (8th at heavyweight with 650), Braden River's Casey Hunt (9th at 199 with 600) and Lemon Bay's Evan Neville (11th at 219 with 575).

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

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Ranch’s Birakis second at state
By RYAN T. BOYD

BRADENTON — It was a quest Steven Birakis had been on for three years.

On Friday, he finally reached it.

Birakis, a Lakewood Ranch junior, won second place in the 183-pound division of the Class 1A state weightlifting tournament at New Port Richey River Ridge. He lifted a combined 650 pounds (350 bench, 300 clean and jerk) to bring home the silver medal.

“It was kind of a dream come true,” he said. “I’ve been working for three years for that medal. It’s the only sport that 30 seconds sums up three years of hard work.”

Birakis said he missed one lift, but everything else went according to plan. It was his second time qualifying for state. With Friday’s performance, Birakis has set his sights on something bigger.

“I hope to get the gold next year,” he said.

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

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Girls weightlifter of the year: Columbia's Celeste Gomez
By Cliff Olsen

Credentials

After capturing the elusive state championship at the 183-pound weight class in February’s FHSAA state meet, Columbia’s Celeste Gomez said she didn’t think her day could have gone any better.

She bench pressed 210 pounds and clean and jerked 215 pounds for a 425 total to take home the title after finishing as state runner-up in each of the last two seasons. It was a record-breaking day for Gomez, who set a state-record for her weight class with her 215 pound clean and jerk total. Her 425 total also tied a state record. Gomez led the Tigers to a third-place finish in the team standings.

“I high-fived coach (Mitch) Shoup, jumped into his arms and then I jumped into my dad’s arms and I started crying,” said Gomez, following her record-breaking and final lift of the day. “I was jumping for joy, I was so excited and I was so proud of myself.”

Personal notes

Gomez has not only used her strength to achieve success in the weight room, but on the softball field as well. The junior, who is not playing for

Columbia this spring but is a member of the Gold Coast Hurricanes travel ball program, verbally committed to Florida State in February. She also received offers from Central Florida, Purdue, South Alabama and Mississippi State.

Quoteworthy

“It was a great feeling. I just had a blast the entire season, not just at state. Weightlifting is just fun for me,” said Gomez, who was also The Sun’s 2008 Girls Weightlifter of the Year. “It was awesome to win the state title, I couldn’t explain how happy I was. I want to win it again, that is my NO. 1 goal for next year, is to win the state championship again.”

Editor’s note: This is the first in a series of Sun all-area teams, which were selected with help from area coaches.

SUN ALL-AREA GIRLS WEIGHTLIFTING TEAM

First team

101 — Tyler Wolfe, Buchholz, junior: Placed 11th at the state meet with a 215 total.

110 — Phoebe Johnson, Columbia, junior: Turned in a 245 total to place 11th at the state meet.

119 — Tara Stephens, Columbia, junior: Posted a 315 total to finish as runner-up at the state meet.

129 — Kelly Spradling, Gainesville, senior: The four-time state meet qualifier placed fourth at the state meet with a 295 total.

139 — Alaina Timmons, Columbia, junior: Placed third at the state meet with a total of 320.

154 — Holli Barnett, Union County, senior: Turned in a 325 total to finish in fourth place at the state meet.

169 — Shanika Hunt, Gainesville, senior: Placed 13th at the state meet with a 280 total.

183 — Celeste Gomez, Columbia, junior: After two straight runner-up finishes, she captured the state title with a state-record 215 pound clean and jerk, while her 425 total tied a state record.

199 — Morgan Boettcher, Keystone Heights, eighth-grade: Finished ninth at the state meet with a 335 total.

Unlimited — Tempest Williams, Gainesville, senior: Finished with a 350 total to place fifth at the state meet.

Second team

101 — Tequina Rim, Gainesville, senior: Ended with a 205 total to finish 20th at the state meet.

110 — Amanda Paredes, Keystone Heights, junior: Finished with a 240 total to place 12that the state meet.

119 — Jennifer Kondrach, Columbia, senior: Turned in a 275 total to place seventh at the state meet.

129 — Ashley Shaw, Columbia, junior: Placed 14th at the state meet with a 270 total.

139 — Jessica Bullock, Columbia, senior: She turned in a total of 305 to place eighth at the state meet.

154 — Ariel Freeland, Gainesville, senior: The two-time state qualifier placed sixth at the state meet with a 315 total.

169 — Kendra Walker, Palatka, junior: Finished 25th at the state meet with a 260 total.

183 — Lydia Boyette, Santa Fe, sophomore: Placed third at the state meet with a 335 total.

199 — Jordan Windham, Union County, junior: Placed 13th at the state meet with a 275 total.

Unlimited- Nicole Carter, Palatka, freshman: Lifted a 335 total to finish 11th at the state meet.

Honorable mention

101—Ashlee Chisholm, Gainesville, junior; 110—Keri Padgett, Bradford, junior; Jasmine Campbell, Buchholz, senior;

119— Jenna Cottingham, Santa Fe, senior; Alexis Anderson, Gainesville, sophomore;

129— Amber Thomas, Columbia, junior; 139— Kalen Lewis, Santa Fe, sophomore; 154— Shanaya Johnson, Eastside, senior; 169—Katie Little, Buchholz, senior;

183—Hannah Tucker, Union County, senior; Emily Keen, Gainesville, freshman; Kassandra Brown, Gainesville;

199—Ja'mea McNeal, Bradford, senior.

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

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Griffith, Howard second at state
Two weightlifters put Fort White in seventh place.

FORT WHITE — Fort White High took three athletes to the state weightlifting meet and two came home with second-place finishes.

The Class 1A competition was Saturday at River Ridge High in New Port Richey.

Chris Griffith was second in the 139-pound weight class. Griffith’s lifts were 290 in the bench press and 225 in the clean and jerk, for a 515 total. His total was five pounds less than the weight class winner.

Fort White head coach Dan Marsee said Chris Griffith missed a lift and had to play catch-up.

“If he does what he does every day, he would have won state,” Marsee said. “You just can’t have an off day at the state meet.”

Tyler Howard placed second at 154 pounds with a 290 bench press and 250 clean and jerk for a 540 total. The winning lift was 550 pounds.

Howard’s runner-up finish came in remarkable fashion. He passed out in the process of his first clean and jerk. Still wobbly, he got his second lift then asked Marsee what it would take to win second place.

“I told him 250,” Marsee said. “He passed out and came back to post a personal best.”

Steve Griffith also lifted at 139 pounds and was 14th with 240-195-435.

Fort White earned 10 team points, good for seventh place. Baker County High won the competition.

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

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Baker County wins boys weightlifting state title
By Hays Carlyon

Baker County's boys weightlifting team brought home the Class 1A state championship Saturday in New Port Richey.

The Wildcats finished with 34 points, easily outpacing runner-up Panama City Beach Arnold (19).

Three Baker County lifters won individual state titles. Ryan Young was first in the 119-pound division with a 430-pound total, benching 220 and recording a 210-pound clean and jerk. Ethan Munson won the heavyweight title with a 735 total (415 bench, 320 clean and jerk).

As impressive as Young and Munson were, Thomas Braddy was sensational in the 238-pound class. He finished with a 770-pound total, which was 70 pounds more than the runner-up. Braddy benched 425 and did a clean and jerk of 345.

Other area lifters who won state titles in 1A were Interlachen's Dustin Douglas at 154 pounds (550 total) and Episcopal's Christopher Lenahan, who lifted a total of 670 at 199 pounds.

In Class 2A, Nease's Dylan March won state at 238 pounds, finishing with a 715-pound total.