Local Lifters Excel At Meet

SEBRING -- Displaying a nice blend of determination and power, the girls from the Heartland made quite an impressive showing in Saturday's sub-sectional high school weightlifting meet at Firemen's Field.

Six schools participated in the event and the top three finishers in each weight class advanced to the sectionals, which will be held at Port Charlotte High School on Jan. 24.

Avon Park led the way with eight girls moving on, while Sebring had seven and Lake Placid had four advance.

"I'm real pleased with our showing," said Blue Streak coach Joe Sinness. "The girls have been working hard and it paid off today."

Sebring senior Samary Camuy won the 101-pound weight class with a bench press of 75 pounds and a clean and jerk of 90 pounds for a combined total of 165.

Blue Streak senior Jenny Waldron finished first in the 110-pound class with a total of 170, while Lake Placid's Jerica Worley came in third with 145.

Sebring senior Ashley Waldron qualified third in the 119-pound division with a total of 200.

Avon Park's Zakia Hart finished first in the 129-pound class with 240, while Blue Streak sophomore Karley Freeland placed second at 205 and Red Devil Nicole Allison came in third at 195.

Sebring senior Amy Hart placed second in the 139-pound division with 210, while Green Dragon Samantha Worley finished third at 200.

Lake Placid's Taquasha Hawthorne won the 154-pound class with 245, while Sebring junior Michelle Bash placed second with a personal-best of 240 and Avon Park's Veronica Robinson finished third at 225.

Red Devil Andejoua Nixon finished first in the 169-pound class with a 255, while Red Devil teammate Joanna Gautier placed second at 220 and Lake Placid's Lexi Harris took third with a 170.

Avon Park's Aja Cromedy placed second in the 183-pound division with a 220.

Red Devil Shonkeria Laster won the 199-pound class with 270, while Blue Streak senior Janali Roman placed second at 250.

Avon Park's Tyikeia Willey won the unlimited division with a 260, while Lake Placid's Sarah Norris finished third at 195.

The sectional meet includes 21 schools and the competition will be much tougher with only the top three in each weight class advancing to the state finals.

"We're going to have to have a good meet if we want to qualify anyone for state," said Sinness. "We have some talented lifters, it will just come down to how we do that day."