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Highlands Today

Muscling Up

Jasmina Meyer/Highlands Today

Sebring senior Brannen Dorman capped his high school career with an outstanding season for the Blue Streaks.

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By Christopher  Hoffman | Highlands Today

Published: May 26, 2008

SEBRING –– Walking into the weight room as a freshman, Sebring's Brannen Dorman never thought he would be on the ultimate stage and going for gold as a senior at the Class 1A state finals.

But despite his success, this gentle giant has always been humbled by his accomplishments.

"Weightlifting is one of the great joys in my life," Dorman said. "I put in tons of hard work to finally reach the state level and just to be there was an accomplishment. I was very humbled by the experience."

The Sebring senior came in fifth at the state finals in the 199-pound division with a bench press of 305 pounds and a clean-and-jerk of 295, for a combined total of 600 pounds.

For his outstanding work ethic and accomplishments, Dorman has been named the 2008 Highlands Today's Boys Weightlifter of the Year.

"This award validates all the hard work I've put in through the years," the Blue Streak strong man said. "I started out in the weight room to help me in football, but found a natural love for the sport."

That love motivated him to great progress where he improved by 55 pounds of total weight over his junior year and had him on the cusp of taking third place, but the senior couldn't get past 305 pounds in the clean and jerk.

"I put myself in the position I wanted to be in," Dorman said. "I just didn't get under the weight and missed out on moving up. My goal was to get a medal and I accomplished that.

"I'm proud of what I was able to do this season."

Sebring coach Jared Hamlin says that Dorman was a special breed of athlete –– one that comes around only every now and then.

"Brannen was the hardest worker I've had in my 14 years in coaching," Hamlin said. "It was all him. Everything he accomplished was all due to his work ethic.

"He went above and beyond what was expected of him. He's also a man of great character and he'll be a success in whatever he chooses to do. The skies the limit for him."

As a freshman, Dorman was a self-proclaimed chunky 165-pound kid who could bench but a mere 115 pounds, but he was able to transform himself into one of the most solid power lifters in the region.

"It doesn't take long for someone to get hooked on lifting," Dorman said. "Once I started seeing the changes in my body and I was getting stronger, I couldn't wait to get to the gym.

"Lifting will always be a part of my life. I can't ever see myself not pushing myself and seeing if I can do that much better than the day before. It's who I am."

The Team:

u. Alvin Hinson, junior, Avon Park –– Hinson placed first at sectionals in the 169-pound class, besting his competition by 15 pounds with a total weight of 555 pounds to earn a shot at the state finals.

"[Alvin's] so explosive when he lifts," Avon Park coach Matt Colman said. "He brings the weight from point A to point B so quick, especially in the clean-and-jerk.

"He's fun to watch."

Hinson managed to finish sixth at the state finals with a bench press of 315 pounds and a clean-and-jerk of 255 for a combined total of 570 pounds.

u. Rashaad Brown, senior, Lake Placid –– The power guy of the Green Dragon lifters, Brown showed that kind of power often during the season, benching 300 pounds and 280 pounds in the clean and jerk in the 219-pound class during the season.

But more importantly was his impact on the young batch of Lake Placid power lifters.

"[Rashaad] has really become a mentor to many of these kids," Lake Placid coach Willie Hills said. "He always has time to help the younger group and he turns heads when in the weight room.

"He's amazing to watch."

u. Kenny Daniels, junior, Sebring –– Making a return trip to the state finals was always Daniels' goal coming into the '08 season. The hard work and sweat from hours in the weight room paid off for the Sebring junior as he placed second at sectionals in the 219-pound weight class with a total weight of 600 pounds.

Hamlin believes that Daniels is on the right track for a state title in his upcoming senior campaign, after coming up short this season.

"He's gained as much strength-wise as anyone from their beginning days in the weight room until now," Hamlin said. "Being a workout partner with Brannen, he really fed off that competition and wanted to get better each day.

"If he keeps working hard, I think he's got the potential to wear a medal next year."

u. Joel Cuencas, junior, Avon Park -- This Avon Park junior surprised a lot of people this season, as the first-year lifter, who was recruited from the Red Devil baseball team, earned a trip to the Class 1A state finals.

Cuencas, who competed in the 119-pound weight class, finished fifth with a combined weight of 380 pounds, where he benched 215 pounds and came back to clean-and-jerk 165 pounds.

The Avon Park junior tied with Cory Thomas of Lake Wales with 385 pounds of total weight –– personal best for Cuencas. But because Thomas weight in at 0.4 pounds lighter than Cuencas, he was given first place.

"We'll just have to keep working with Joel this off-season," Coleman said. "He's got plenty of potential and a lot of heart. He knows where he has to be to be successful at state and he'll work to reach that goal."

u. Navarhri Holden, sophomore, Lake Placid –– Cousin to Rashaad Brown, Holden has shown the prowess in the weight room that made his kin a success for the Green Dragons.

The LP sophomore benches 280 pounds and lifts 230 pounds in the clean-and-jerk in the 199-pound weight class, earning a seventh place finish at sectionals this season.

"He's really dedicated in the weight room," Hills said. "That kind of commitment should carry over into the summer program and I expect big things out of him next season."

u. Jonathon Rodriguez, junior, Sebring –– Rodriquez placed second with a total weight of 470 pounds –– just five pounds shy of first –– in the 139-pound weight class at sectionals this year to earn a trip to the Class 1A state finals.

Hamlin said Rodriguez' heart and dedication have been evident since before he hit high school.

"Jonathon has been with me since before he was a freshman," Hamlin said. "He worked himself into a position to go to state and he's got a ton of potential and strength that we haven't even tapped yet."

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