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Boys Weightlifting
Four of Hernando County’s boys weightlifting head coaches were all in agreement: four-time defending county champ Springstead remains the local team to beat.

Just one headman didn’t sound so sure. That would be the Eagles’ veteran mentor, entering his ninth year at the helm, Mike Garofano.

“We’re definitely out to try and do that again,” Garofano said of winning the county title. “But I think some of the other teams have closed the gap. We’re kind of in a rebuilding year. The county is up for grabs as far as I’m concerned.”

For the first time in a while, Garofano will put out a lineup short on depth and experience.

“We’re young and real thin,” Garofano said. “We have to fill some holes in some weight classes. I don’t know what to expect.”

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The Eagles tied for ninth in the state in 2011 and went 6-0 in dual meets. But all three of their state qualifiers have graduated.

Armando Noury and David Stevens placed second and third in Class 2A at 183 pounds. Chris Goforth was 11th at 154, and joined the other two as All-County selections, along with fellow senior teammate Josh Santana at 219.

Garofano noted how Noury, Santana and Stevens would work out together, and is reminded of that trio by current Eagles Jesse Cowan, Brandon Holmes and Austin Stock.

The senior Holmes, according to Garofano, should have the most realistic shot at making noise at states despite being a first-year lifter. He’ll compete at 129.

Garofano said Holmes quit playing baseball specifically so he could make a run at a weightlifting state crown.

“He can put his total at 500 or above, which won states last year,” Garofano said.

The sophomore Cowan will lift at both 219 and 238, while Stock, also a sophomore, should lift at 199.

Another senior newcomer, Brennen Butler, has Garofano believing he can make states if he can improve his clean-and-jerk. He’ll go at both 199 and 219 during the season.

Cowman and senior Nick Alaimo (119) are also potential state qualifiers in Garofano’s opinion.

“We’d like to get a few guys to states again and get some more hardware,” Garofano said. “I’d at least like to bring back one gold medal. If we stay injury-free I think we have a chance.”

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Among the other county squads, there is a common thread. They are all guided by their respective school’s head football coach.

Garofano, the defensive coordinator at Springstead, fits in with the pigskin connection, as well. Still, the Eagles do seem to have a slightly different approach to weightlifting.

“My first goal is to get strong for football,” admitted Nature Coast Head Coach Charles Liggett. “Then after that, the goal is going to be to compete.”

Liggett requires that his football players participate in either track and field or weightlifting during the spring, not an uncommon practice.

Yet the Sharks do have two full-time lifters entering their senior years as the county’s only returning state qualifiers.

A.J. Fedor earned a medal by taking fourth at 119 in Class 1A with a 220-175—395. Mike Sanders was eighth at 129 (210-200—410).

“I would expect they would qualify again for states,” Liggett said. “Fedor is getting stronger. Sanders is about the same as he was.”

Senior Rob Ryan (183) could join them at states representing Nature Coast, but the majority of the team is young.

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Central coach Mike Einspahr, who was the girls coach last season, said he has 60 kids coming to the weight room every day.

The Bears must replace a state qualifier in Mike Bailey, but have All-County 139-pounder Matt Callaci back as a senior. He could move up to the 154 range this year.

“Everybody is going to work out like they’re competing for a weightlifting championship and we’ll find the best 15 kids to take to the meet each week,” Einspahr said.

At Hernando, Coach John Palmer also boasts some decent numbers, though admittedly doesn’t have much in the lighter weights.

Seniors Joe Bachand (169) and K.J. Young (183) should push to qualify for states.

“Our goal is just to compete – the kids are getting stronger – and for them to improve on their technique in clean-and-jerk,” Palmer said.

Weeki Wachee starts its second season still trying to build from the ground up.

“Just keep getting stronger,” Hornet Head Coach Mark Lee said of his goal. “Last year we made significant gains from our first meet to our last meet. What we want to do is continue to improve.”