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Highlands Today

LP Lifters Building With Youth

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By MARK PINSON

Highlands Today

Published: December 12, 2008

LAKE PLACID - With a nice blend of experience and youth, the Lake Placid girls weightlifting team has a great deal of potential for the 2008 season.

The Green Dragons have 23 girls on the squad, which includes eight freshmen and nine sophomores.

"We have a lot of newcomers on the team this year," said second-year Lake Placid coach Donald Ridgeway. "With the increased number of girls and the talent they have displayed in practice, we hope to be able to compete with some of the bigger schools on a team level.

"We sent six girls to sectionals last year, and our goal is to send more this year."

Leading the way is junior Taquesha Hawthorne, who qualified for sectionals in the 169-pound weight class last year.

"Taquesha is our strongest lifter and really works hard to improve," Ridgeway said. "She and some of the older girls with experience have taken the younger girls under their wing and helped with the teaching process."

Junior Selena Smith, who just missed qualifying for sectionals last year in the 154-pound weight class, is even stronger this season and focused on making it to state.

Sophomore Jerica Worley made it to sectionals last season in the 110-pound division and is determined to improve her performance.

"Jerica is strong and is a very hard worker," Ridgeway said. "She qualified for sectionals last year and I think she has a good chance to make it to state this time."

Seniors Morgan Sherwood and Amanda Dixon bring talent and experience to the team, while senior Marbellly Creel, who is in her first year of lifting, has a great deal of potential.

Freshman Kaetlyn Dunton has opened some eyes with her strength in the 129-pound weight class, while sophomore Marlene Walton, who competes at 154-pounds and sophomore Lexi Harris, who is in the 169-pound weight class, continue to improve each day.

"The girls are doing a tremendous job in practice," said Ridgeway. "They are motivated to improve and we're looking forward to our first meet."

"Our goal is to make it to state as a team and if the girls continue to work hard and push themselves it could be a real possibility."

Lake Placid hosted LaBelle on Thursday. For the complete story and pictures, be sure to see Saturday's Highlands Today sports section.

Mark Pinson can be reached at 863-386-5837 or mpionson@highlandsatoday.com

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