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Highlands Today

Red Devil Lifters Boast Strength In Numbers

Mark Pinson/Highlands Today

Avon Park junior Shonkeria Laster has the talent and experience to be a force in the 199-pound weight class for the Red Devils this season.

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By MARK PINSON

Highlands Today

Published: December 11, 2008

AVON PARK - With 25 girls on the team, including a number of experienced upperclassmen, the Avon Park girls weightlifting squad has great expectations heading into the season.

"We have a number of girls back from last year's squad," said Red Devil coach Pakitta Felix. "We have a couple of seniors that have a lot of experience and some freshmen that have looked good in practice."

Senior Logan Palmer, who will compete in either the 110- or 119-pound weight class, leads the way for the Red Devils.

"Logan has excellent technique," Felix said. "She is a hard worker and is only going to get better."

Avon Park will compete in a tri-meet at Sebring today and Felix is looking forward to her younger lifters getting some experience under pressure.

"It will be interesting to see how we do because some of these girls think it's a game," the Red Devil coach said. "They're going to experience something new when they have to compete under pressure."

Sophomores Zakia Hart and Andejoun Nixon, who were each selected to last year's Highlands Today All-Heartland Girls Weightlifting team, have helped to develop the newcomers knowledge and ability in the demanding sport.

"Zakia devotes a lot of practice time to getting better and Andejoun continues to get stronger in the 169-pound class," Felix said. "The sophomores have been excited and hyped up about the season and have taken the freshmen under their wings and explained things to them and showed them the right way to do things."

Junior Shonkeria Laster, who competes in the 199-pound weight class, and sophomore Hannah Williams were key contributors last year and will be counted on in a big way this season.

"We've got some girls that are serious about the sport and what it takes to succeed," said Felix. "We have a lot of girls on the team and a nice blend of experience and youth.

"The girls are motivated and I'm expecting good things out of them this season."

GIRLS WEIGHTLIFTING

TODAY Sebring vs. Avon Park, LaBelle, 5 p.m.

TODAY Lake Placid vs. Hardee, 5:30 p.m.

See Friday's Highlands Today for LP and Sebring previews. See Saturday's Highlands Today for results of both today's events.

Mark Pinson can be reached at 863-386-5837 or mpinson@highlandstoday.com

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