Green Dragon lifters win first meet

After having an injury end her season at last year's girls Class 1A sectional weightlifting meet, Lake Placid junior Taquesha Hawthorne is determined to end her high school career on a better note.

Hawthorne, who competed in the 169-pound weight class last year, has moved up to the 183-pound division this season and the Green Dragon lifter cruised to first place in her weight class with a combined total of 265 pounds in the bench press and clean-and-jerk competitions.

"Taquesha has been our strongest lifter the last couple of years," said Lake Placid coach Donald Ridgeway. "She was disappointed the way last year ended and now she's healthy and determined to finish this season strong."

Lake Placid finished first in the three-team meet with 38 points, while Sebring placed a close second with 36 and LaBelle came in third with 27.

The Green Dragons also had first-place finishes by senior Sierra Weaver, who won the 169-pound weight class with a combined total of 225 pounds and junior Jerica Worley finished first in the 119-pound weight class with a bench press of 95 pounds and 85 pounds in the clean-and-jerk for a combined total of 180 pounds.

"Jerica is strong and a very hard worker," said Ridgeway. "She has a great deal of potential and is determined to have a good season."

Lake Placid junior Marlene Walton finished first in the 154-pound weight class with a combined total of 190 pounds to help the Green Dragons claim first.

Sebring was paced by senior Jaye Whitehead, who won the 139-pound weight class with a bench press of 100 pounds and a clean-and-jerk of 95 pounds, for a combined total of 195.

"That's a pretty good effort for her first meet of the season," said Sebring coach Steve Berry. "She is a hard worker and I expect her to have a good season."

Lexie Freeland placed second in the 101-pound weight class with a bench press of 50 pounds and a clean-and-jerk of 50 for a total of 100.

Blue Streak Beonca Nortelus finished first in the 110-pound division with a bench press of 90 and a clean-and-jerk of 70 for a combined 160 pounds.

"I'm pleased with the girls effort for our first meet of the season," Berry said. "We had a few girls out because of cheerleading and a couple of girls that didn't compete, but overall we did pretty well.

"Competing in a meet with judges is a lot different than practice and it was good to get that first meet under our belts."

Sebring is back in action with an away meet at Hardee on Monday and the Blue Streaks host Avon Park next Thursday.

"It was good to see the girls compete in a meet," Berry said. "It gives us an idea of where we're at and what each of the girls needs to work on to get stronger."