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Highlands Today

Dragons Flex Their Muscles

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By MARK PINSON Highlands Today

Published: December 13, 2008

LAKE PLACID - The anticipation and excitement of competing in the first meet of the season didn't overwhelm the youthful Lake Placid girls weightlifting team on Thursday night.

The Green Dragons, who boast eight freshman and nine sophomores, lifted their way to a 45-22 win over Hardee to kick off their season on a high note.

"Our girls did great," said second-year Lake Placid coach Donald Ridgeway. "We have several girls that had never lifted in competition and they still managed to set personal bests in the first meet of the year.

"The girls have had great attitudes in practice and that carried over into today's meet."

Sophomore Jerica Worley got things rolling for Lake Placid by winning the 101-pound weight class with a bench press of 80 pounds and a personal-best clean-and-jerk of 90 pounds for a winning total of 170.

Sophomore Stephiney Smith won the 119-pound weight class with a total of 150, freshman Katelyn Dunton took first in the 129-pound division with a total of 190, while senior Morgan Sherwood placed second with 180.

Lake Placid junior Selena Smith won the 139-pound weight class with a personal-best total of 210, while sophomore Marlene Walton placed second at 170 and freshman Tiffany Smith finished third with 120.

"My clean-and-jerk of 105 is a personal best and I'm really excited about that," said Smith. "I love the adrenaline you get from lifting and competing in meets.

"It's early in the season and I'm determined to improve my technique so I can get stronger."

Green Dragon junior Taquasha Hawthorne cruised to the title in the 154-pound division with a total of 265 and teammate Sierra Weaver placed second with a 220.

"Taquasha is probably our strongest lifter and has a lot of experience," Ridgeway said. "She had a good first meet and is primed to have an outstanding season and Sierra had a strong first meet."

Sophomore Keshondra Holdman won the unlimited division with a total of 215 and freshman Tobisha Andrews placed second in the 110-pound weight class with a combined total of 135.

"I'm really proud of the team because we had a slew of beginners that had never lifted in a competitive meet," said Ridgeway. "It's a lot different environment than practice and they responded with a great effort."

Lake Placid is back in action with a home meet today against LaBelle.

"We've started the season great and we want to keep it going against LaBelle," said the Green Dragon coach. "We only have one more meet before Christmas and the girls need all the experience they can get."

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

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