Friendly Rivals Ready For State Weightlifting

Sebring's Michelle Bash and Avon Park's Andejoua Nixon enter today's girls Class 1A state weightlifting meet in New Port Richey in the same weight class, but with different mindsets.

Both girls will compete in the 169-pound class, and for Bash, a Blue Streak senior, it's her last chance to earn a medal at the state competition, while Nixon, a Red Devil sophomore, makes her debut at the finals.

Bash had a combined total of 275 pounds in the clean-and-jerk and bench press to finish third at the Section 8 meet last week, but she'll need to have a personal-best effort to finish in the top six to earn a medal at state.

"Michelle is in the middle of the pack with her total from sectionals," said first-year Sebring coach Steve Berry. "She could get a little faster with her elbows on the clean-and-jerk and I know she can go heavier on the bench.

"The top six will probably be around 300 pounds, but if she has a personal-best and does well that's all that matters."

Bash made it to regionals last year, but this is her first trip to state.

"I'm looking forward to the experience of competing at state," said Bash. "I hope Andejoua does well because we're friends, but we're competitors on the mat.

"I really want to do well and enjoy my last meet."

Nixon finished second in the 169-pound class at sectionals with a combined 280 pounds and will try not to get overwhelmed by all the distractions at the state meet.

"Andejoua will have to improve her bench press if she wants to finish in the top six," said Avon Park coach Pakitta Jones. "The competition is very tough and I'm trying to tell her what to expect so she doesn't get overwhelmed by everything.

"There are a lot of things going on at the same time and she's going to need to stay focused and perform at a high level if she wants to medal."

Nixon hopes to combine for 320 pounds, which would be a personal-best.

"I've been working on my technique to get the most out of my lifts," said Nixon. "I'm a little nervous, but I've been working hard and I'm going give it my best."

Be sure to check out Monday's Highlands Today for the complete story and reaction from the state meet.