The Nature Coast High School girls weightlifting team placed third in both traditional and Olympic categories at the Region 2A-5 meet held last Friday at River Ridge High School. After winning their district championship and advancing all 16 lifters to regionals, the Sharks scored 23 points in traditional competition (bench press and clean-and-jerk), tying with Cypress Creek behind River Ridge (58 points) and Zephyrhills (36 points). In Olympic competition (snatch and clean-and-jerk), Nature Coast earned 26 team points, again finishing third behind River Ridge (63) and Zephyrhills (33).
Despite the strong team showing, Nature Coast did not have a single first-place finisher at the regional meet. Lilyanna Norton led the Sharks with a second-place finish at 110 pounds in traditional with a 250-pound total, while Kinsey Baker took second at 110 in Olympic with 215 pounds. Vanessa Elam placed second in Olympic at 154 pounds with 285 and third in traditional with 295. Other top performers included Abby Asteasuainzarra, who placed third at 169 in Olympic (250) and fourth in traditional (260), and Abby Olding, who came in third at 129 in traditional (250).
Hernando County schools saw individual success at the regional meet. Hernando High’s Joanna Duran earned an automatic spot to the State Championships by finishing first at 199 pounds in Olympic with a 290 total, while placing second in traditional (340). The Leopards finished seventh in Olympic (11 points) and ninth in traditional (seven points). Springstead’s Leilani Martinez captured the other county regional title, taking first at Olympic unlimited with 285 pounds.
Additional standout performances from county schools included Springstead’s Lillian Garbinsky, who took second at 129 in traditional (285) and third in Olympic (245). Ellann Cephus placed third in traditional at 183 pounds (260) for the Eagles, who finished sixth in Olympic (12 points) and eighth in traditional (nine points). Weeki Wachee’s Sophia Campbell came in second at 154 in traditional (315) and third in Olympic (275). Only the top lifter in each weight class earned automatic qualification to the State Championships meet scheduled for February 12 at the RP Funding Center Jenkins Arena in Lakeland, with remaining spots filled through at-large selections.
Originally reported by Hernando Sun
Sources: Hernando Sun
