BOYS WEIGHTLIFTING 303239997

Any area weightlifter’s aspirations of reaching the April 23-24 36th annual Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) State Finals at River Ridge Middle/High School begins today.
Seventeen teams, including Central and Springstead, are expected to converge at Wednesday afternoon’s Class 2A, Section IV Meet at F.W. Springstead High.
Hernando and Nature Coast Technical are expected to be represented in Wednesday afternoon’s Class 1A, Sub-Section VI Meet at Bushnell-South Sumter High School.

2A-IV at SHS

In Spring Hill, 17 teams are expected including: host Springstead, Brooksville-Central, Clermont-East Ridge, Groveland-South Lake, Hudson, Inverness-Citrus, Lecanto, Leesburg, New Port Richey-Mitchell, NPR-Ridgewood, NPR-River Ridge, Ocala-Forest, Ocala-Lake Weir, Ocala-Vanguard, Ocala-West Port, Wesley Chapel-Wiregrass Ranch and Zephyrhills.
The teams are expected to weigh in at 1 p.m. with the meet to follow along five platforms at 2:30 p.m.
The 10 weight class winners will automatically qualify for the 2A State Finals on Saturday, April 24 at River Ridge Middle/High School in New Port Richey. Wednesday’s second- and third-place finishers will play the waiting game as the FHSAA sorts through nine sectional meet results to fill in its at-large berths to states.
Last year, SHS produced one Sectional IV champion, Nate Schafer at 219 pounds. Two others, including Geovanny Decene at 139 and Steve Sullivan at 154, also qualified for states as sectional runners-up.
The Eagles, who are 6-1 in the dual-meet portion of their schedule, will be represented by six lifters: seniors Sullivan at 154, David Alberts at 169 and Cody Jones at 219, and juniors Anthony Jacobs at 129, Chris Goforth at 139 and David Stevens at 183.
Only Sullivan returns from last year’s sectional meet.
Perhaps the most anticipated duel will be at 154 as Ocala-Forest’s Don Webb tangles with the three-time county champ and two-time state qualifier Sullivan. Last year, Sullivan tweaked his shoulder prior to the sectional meet and lost to Webb by 30 pounds, 560-530, at Belleview. Webb went on to place third at states behind a 560 total. Sullivan, who placed third in 2008, failed to place at states in 2009.
Last week, Sullivan just missed hoisting 615 total pounds and has lifted a personal-best 595 total.
“Since the beginning of the season we’ve made it clear, we’re only bringing the guys who have a chance of reaching states,” explained SHS’ seventh-year Head Coach Mike Garofano. “Based on their totals so far, I think both Sully (Sullivan) and Alberts need decent days to qualify (for states). The other guys will have to have better numbers than they’ve put up so far and they’ll need to get some help.”
The sectional qualifying format has always been an issue.
“I’d prefer to do it like the girls,” said Garofano, who doubles as the SHS girls coach. “Put it all on the line in one meet. Top three go; the rest don’t make it. We’re having the sectional this week instead of possibly having it over spring break. It’s kinda tough for the second- and third-place guys to wait so long to find out from the state whether they qualify or not. There’s a lot more pressure this way to get your lifts in.”
Coach Garofano hopes the Eagles follow his blueprint to success.
“The kids have got to get their first lifts in; that kinda puts you at ease,” described Coach Garofano. “Then they can relax and go up 10-15 pounds. In a sectional, there will be three judging scrutinizing everything. Everything’s got to be perfect. So it’s real important to go fairly light early and then gradually go up.
“For our younger guys it’s a learning experience,” added Coach Garofano. “Those guys have real, real good shots at reaching states next year. I realize everyone’s hearts are racing in meets like this, but so is mine.”

Bears: five lifters

Central High (3-4 overall) will be represented by five lifters including: senior Chris Corlew and sophomore Matt Callaci at 129, senior Austin Sievers at 154, junior Mike Bailey at 169 and senior Zach Rice at 183.
Last year, junior Ben Lascurain finished second in sectionals at 119 and qualified for states. But during the offseason, Lascurain’s family relocated from Hernando County.

1A-VI at South Sumter

Hernando and Nature Coast Technical will venture into Sumter County to compete in the Class 1A, Sub-Section VI Meet at Bushnell-South Sumter High School.
The meet is expected to begin at 3:45 p.m.
Fourteen teams comprise 1A-VI including: host South Sumter, Holiday-Anclote, Clearwater Central Catholic, Crystal River, New Port Richey-Gulf, Brooksville-Hernando, Brooksville-Nature Coast Technical, Land O’Lakes, Land O’Lakes-Sunlake, Ruskin-Lennard, St. Petersburg-Northside Christian, Dade City-Pasco, St. Petersburg Catholic and Wesley Chapel.
While half the teams are at South Sumter, the remainder of 1A-VI teams will be competing at Sunlake.
Top four lifters from Sunlake’s Sub-Sectional and top four lifters from South Sumter’s Sub-Sectional advance to the March 31 Section VI Meet at Sunlake High beginning at 3:45 p.m.
NCT (3-3) will be represented by four lifters including: seniors Eric Adams at 199 and Russell Baker at 169, sophomore Mike Sanders and freshman A.J. Fedor at 129.
Ironically, none of these lifters has ever faced the rigors of a sectional meet.
Last year, only senior Joe Mignoli qualified for states after placing second with a 610-pound total at 219.
Of this season’s competitors, NCT’s fourth-year mentor Charles Liggett believes Adams has the best opportunity to advance.
“With Eric’s totals and his abilities he should qualify for Sunlake next week,” said Coach Liggett. “At 129, it’s really going to depend what the remainder of our section has. Our two guys can bench press with the best, but we could run into some challenges in the clean-and-jerk.”

On Baker, “He’s a first-year senior who is fairly strong and has a good total,” said Liggett. “We’ll just have to see how it plays out.”

Liggett was asked how he sold this meet.

“In the past our guys did weightlifting as a precursor for football,” Liggett said. “But we’ve slowly gotten better. We don’t have enough guys to compete as a team. This is an individual event. The kids that are going have a shot (at advancing), but they have to be self-motivated.”

AT A GLANCE
WHAT – Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Class 2A, Section IV Qualifying Meet.
WHO – Seventeen teams are expected including: host Springstead, Brooksville-Central, Clermont-East Ridge, Groveland-South Lake, Hudson, Inverness-Citrus, Lecanto, Leesburg, New Port Richey-Mitchell, NPR-Ridgewood, NPR-River Ridge, Ocala-Forest, Ocala-Lake Weir, Ocala-Vanguard, Ocala-West Port, Wesley Chapel-Wiregrass Ranch and Zephyrhills.
WHERE – F.W. Springstead High’s gymnasium along five platforms.
WHEN – Wednesday weigh-ins are 1 p.m. Meet expected to start at 2:30 p.m.
AT STAKE – Ten weight class winners automatically qualify for the 36th annual FSHAA 2A State Finals on Saturday, April 24 at River Ridge Middle/High School in New Port Richey. Second and third-place finishers seek at-large berths to states.

WHAT – Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Class 1A, Sub-Section VI Qualifying Meet.
WHO – Fourteen teams are expected including: host South Sumter, Holiday-Anclote, Clearwater Central Catholic, Crystal River, New Port Richey-Gulf, Brooksville-Hernando, Brooksville-Nature Coast Technical, Land O’Lakes, Land O’Lakes-Sunlake, Ruskin-Lennard, St. Petersburg-Northside Christian, Dade City-Pasco, St. Petersburg Catholic and Wesley Chapel.
WHERE – Bushnell-South Sumter High’s gymnasium along five platforms.
WHEN – Wednesday weigh-ins are 2:30 p.m. Meet expected to start at 3:45 p.m.
AT STAKE – Top four lifters from Sunlake Sub-Sectional and top four lifters from South Sumter Sub-Sectional advance to March 31 Section VI Meet at Sunlake High beginning at 3:45 p.m.

2009 Class 2A, Section IV Boys Weightlifting Qualifying Meet at Belleview.
(Features highest bench press, clean & jerk and total weight lifted. Weight class winner automatically advances to 2A State Finals)
119 – 1. Adam (OF) 205-175-380, 2. Lascurain (CEN) 205-165-370, 3. Keith (OF) 190-180-370, 4. Siegfried (SPG) 170-150-320.
129 – 1. Washington (OV) 240-185-425, 2. Hughes (OF) 185-185-370, 3. D. Morales (CEN) 180-160-340, 4. Mitchell (BELL) 185-155-340, 5. Santiago (SPG) 0.
139 – 1. Stewart (RR) 255-230-485, 2. Decene (SPG) 245-220-465, 3. Reid (OF) 235-225-460.
154 – 1. Webb (OF) 295-265-560, 2. Sullivan (SPG) 280-250-530, 3. Rivera (SPG) 275-200-475, 4. Payen (ER) 245-215-460.
169 – 1. *Russell (RR) 340-260-600, 2. Wozniak (SPG) 305-245-550, 3. Rieser (RR) 280-260-540, 4. Henderson (WC) 295-235-530.
183 – 1. *Wright (ER) 330-275-605, 2. McKinney (RR) 285-265-550, 3. Greene (OF) 275-260-535, 4. Jang (CEN) 330-205-535.
199 – 1. Arianos (RR) 325-250-575, 2. Gallagher (MIT) 335-235-570, 3. Wilson (SPG) 305-245-550, 4. Woolfolk (ER) 290-235-525.
219 – 1. Schafer (SPG) 275-250-525.
238 – 1. Booth (MIT) 305-290-595, 2. Shoun (RR) 330-235-565, 3. Charles (WC) 280-215-495.
HWT – 1. Joyer (WC) 435-320-755, 2. Prioleau (ER) 350-315-665, 3. Edwards (RR) 335-250-585, 4. Kim (OF) 315-245-560.
KEY – Spring Hill-Springstead (SPG), Brooksville-Central (CEN), Ocala-Forest (OF), Belleview (BELL), Ocala-Vanguard (OV), New Port Richey-Mitchell (MIT), New Port Richey-River Ridge (RR), Wesley Chapel (WC), Clermont-East Ridge (ER), Land O’Lakes (LOL), Ocala-Lake Weir (LW),
* Denotes repeat sectional champion

2009 Class 1A, Section V Boys Weightlifting Qualifying Meet at Hudson.
(Features highest bench press, clean & jerk and total weight lifted. Weight class winner automatically advances to 1A State Finals)
119 – 1. Bui (SL) 160-180-340, 2. Bishop (HUD) 170-170-340, 3. Tuller (SS) 175-145-320, 4. Geddes (ZEP) 170-130-300.
129 – 1. Cimino (HUD) 240-200 – 440, 2. Eaton (HUD) 235-195 – 430, 3. Vera (SS) 205-180 – 385, 4. Fadden (CIT) 190-180 – 370.
139 – 1. Reubens (ZEP) 265-215 – 480, 2. McMullen (SS) 250-225 – 475, 3. Fox (HUD) 225-205 – 430, 4. Diestler (CIT) 205-190 – 395.
154 – 1. Haynes (PAS) 295-215 – 510, 2. Robbins (WGR) 270-225 – 495, 3. Michael (SL) 250-190 -440, 4. Newhouse (SS) 220-210 – 430.
169 – 1. Busiere (HUD) 325-250 – 575, 2. Parker (ZEP) 320-225 – 545, 3. Vera (SS) 285-250 -535, 4. Giordano (HER) 270-225 – 495, 6. Mackiewicz (NCT) 240-240 – 480.
183 – 1. Tarr (CIT) 270-245 – 515, 2. Barnes (SS) 270-240 – 510, 3. Greene (NCT) 280-220 – 500, 4. Henderson (SL) 260-215 – 475.
199 – 1. Lorenzo (PAS) 315-270 – 585, 2. Simmons (SS) 285-250 – 535, 3. Brass (CR) 280-250 – 530, 4. King (SL) 250-225 – 475.
219 – 1. Palombo (HUD) 340-290 – 630, 2. Mignoli (NCT) 340-270 – 610, 3. Kessler (HER) 345-235 – 580, 4. Petrocelli (CCC) 300-225 – 525.
238 – 1. Davis (SS) 280-260 – 640, 2. Ornelas (SS) 340-270 – 610, 3. Lane (PAS) 335-245 – 580, 4. Martone (CIT) 325-235 – 560.
HWT – 1. Underhill (CIT) 350-290 – 640, 2. Marshall (CR) 365-265 – 640, 3. Bellamy (SS) 375-240 – 615, 4. Brown (PAS) 345-270 – 615, 5. Huggins (HER) 340 -250 – 590.
Key: Citrus (CIT), Clearwater Central Catholic (CCC), Crystal River (CR), Hernando (HER), Hudson (HUD), Nature Coast (NCT), South Sumter (SS), Sunlake (SL), Wiregrass Ranch (WGR), Zephyrhills (ZEP).

Sports Editor Tony Castro can be reached at 352-544-5278 or online at [email protected].