garofano declares may be my best team ever
Five weeks remain in boys weightlifting until Hernando County’s elite lifters reach the ultimate destination – the 37th annual Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) State Finals in Osceola County.
Unlike recent years, when the state venue was at the nearby River Ridge Middle/High School gymnasium in New Port Richey, this year’s meet will be held April 15-16 at the Kissimmee Civic Center.
The Class 2A schools – led by always-tough Port Orange-Spruce Creek – will compete on Friday, April 15.
The Class 1A schools all compete on Saturday, April 16.
Here’s a snapshot at each local team at the midway point of the season.
Eagles: The team to beat
The F.W. Springstead lifters remain the class of the county. That’s what happens when a veteran mentor, Mike Garofano, has built a program in one of the North Suncoast’s most respected platforms.
Garofano, in his eighth year, has led the Eagles to five county crowns in seven seasons – including a county-record tying three in a row.
The Eagles graduated five of last season’s 15 starters from the last county championship squad including four-time medalist Steve Sullivan.
Sullivan, David Alberts and Chris Goforth were SHS’ individual county champs last spring. Only the talented Goforth returns.
But so far, SHS hasn’t missed a beat posting a county-best 6-0 won-lost record.
In the latest Hernando County honor roll, SHS leads in six weight divisions: Joe D’Amico at 129 pounds, Goforth at 154, Armando Noury at 183 and 199, Josh Santana at 219 and Preston Stansell at heavyweight.
Noury leads all county lifters with a 600-pound total. On Noury’s heals is David Stevens. Stevens, who is expected to compete at either 183 or 199 for the county meet, holds the county’s second-highest total at 590.
Garofano also indicated the team’s most pleasant surprises revolve around the development of Noury and Stevens.
“A couple years ago, Noury wasn’t eligible to compete,” said Garofano. “He has worked his tail end off the past two years to get where he is today. And David (Stevens) is the kind of kid you always want to see succeed. He’s another one of those guys you have to kick out of the weight room, otherwise he won’t leave.”
Coach Garofano is optimistic that this team will continue to raise the bar in the Mariner Boulevard weight room.
“Right now, we’re about to peak,” said Garofano, who is 30-6-2 lifetime in dual meets. “If we have a good spring break we’re right where we need to be. We’ve started the process of preparing for the county meet. It’s gonna be tough whittling the squad down to our best 15 lifters.”
“What I like most? That guys are producing,” described Garofano. “The weight is going up. When it’s all said and done, this might be the best team I’ve ever had, especially when you consider the depth.”
What’s the key?
“There are a few guys that are going to be tough to catch (at the county meet), like Central’s (Matt) Callaci and Hernando’s (Thomas) Bronson,” said Garofano. “All we can do is close the gap.”
What’s the goal in two weeks for the Hernando County championship?
“We’re trying to get 15 guys within the top three of each weight class,” Garofano said. “Overall, we have a shot at six champions. That’s never been done here. That’s the idea.”
What’s the greatest concern with this senior-dominated squad?
“Like all coaches, it’s about executing,” admitted Garofano. “There’s always the human element involved in our sport. Not getting your lifts in is a big deal. What we stress here is if your technique is right, it’ll carry you through.”
Which team presents the biggest challenge?
“We know Central has a few studs and if Hernando had anyone below 139 they’d be tough too, but right now Nature Coast has the depth, so they present the biggest challenge,” Garofano said.
On the eve of the county meet, Garofano explained his team’s ultimate goal.
“Don’t take me wrong, winning the county meet is great; we’ve done it the last few years, but the ultimate goal is to send guys to states,” Garofano said. “At the minimum we’d like to send two and at the maximum we probably have 5-6 guys who could reach states.”
NCT: Chasing Springstead
Most folks forget that Nature Coast Technical had four county champions last spring and still lost by 13 points to Springstead. NCT has finished second to SHS the past two seasons.
This year, Charles Liggett stepped down as mentor and was replaced by Head Coach Mark Nash.
Despite the loss of eight starters from last spring’s county runner-up squad, Nash’s troops have faired well this season behind a 6-1 overall slate. Their lone blemish was a loss at Sunlake, 108-42.
Junior A.J. Fedor is the lone returning county champion for the Sharks. Fedor, who captured the 129-pound weight class by five pounds over Central’s Matt Callaci in 2010, has settled in at 119 this season.
So far, Fedor has hoisted 55 pounds more than his closest adversary, Springstead senior Richie Bliss, 385-330.
NCT senior Anthony Carlucci, who finished as county runner-up in 2009 but was injured in 2010, appears to be headed for a top-three county finish at 139.
Another veteran Shark lifter to watch is senior B.J. Cullen at heavyweight. Cullen finished third in the county meet last spring, nearly 100 pounds behind Hernando’s Robert Huggins.
But the two seniors in front of Cullen have since graduated. On paper, Cullen’s strongest competition appears to be from Springstead senior Preston Stansell. Though Stansell has hoisted more weight this spring, 560-550, he’s been inconsistent scratching in his past two meets.
Central: Bears lurking in the shadows
For the first time in a decade, Central High is not guided by driver’s education instructor Joe Nestor. Under Nestor, the Bears collected three county championships.
First-year skipper Michael “Mike” Fye replaced Nestor.
The Bears, who finished third last spring in the county meet, may not have the sheer numbers NCT possesses, but has a handful of dangerous lifters.
CHS’ leader is multi-faceted senior Mike Bailey. Bailey had the unenviable position of being in the same weight class as Springstead’s Steve Sullivan.
Bailey finished runner-up to Sully in 2010 and placed fourth in 2009.
This year, Bailey’s 575-pound total ranks as third highest.
Other Bears to watch include junior Matt Callaci at 139, who leads all county lifters with a 420-pound total, and sophomores Giovanni Squartino at 129 and Josh Marquez at 119.
CHS is 2-1 overall but is hampered by a lack of numbers. The Bears have no competitors at either 199 and 219; otherwise they would challenge Springstead and NCT for the top spot.
Leopards: Any little guys around?
When Hernando High’s Shawn Bingham guided the girls weightlifting program, his teams were hindered by a lack of numbers.
This year, Bingham took over the boys program from John Palmer and the lack of numbers tag has followed him.
How much so?
The Leopards enter the March 23 Hernando County meet 2-7 overall. But upon closer inspection, one would see HHS hasn’t had any competitors at 119, 129 or 139.
Had HHS had a full lineup, the Leopards might have a 5-2 record.
“It’s very frustrating not having enough guys in the lower weights,” described Bingham. “If we had some guys there, we’d be a force. I’m very happy with how ours guys from 154 and up have performed.”
HHS, which finished fourth in the county meet in 2010, lost two county champions to graduation: Josh Parnell and Robert Huggins.
So far this season, senior Thomas Bronson paces the county in the most weight hoisted at 238 (530) and is five pounds less than Springstead’s Preston Stansell at heavyweight (560-555).
Senior William Alderman, who splits time with track and field, is expected to compete at 219 during the county meet.
Bingham praised the efforts of three other lifters: juniors Derek Moore and Joe Bachand, and sophomore O’Mar Hawkins.
On Hawkins, “You see the improvement every single day,” insisted Bingham. “His totals keep going up… Joe (Bachand) is struggling a little bit psychologically with a certain weight. Once he gets over that hump, look out… And Derek (More) isn’t there yet, but he too has a chance for states.”
Bingham enjoys his team’s spirit.
“What I like most is our cohesiveness,” remarked Bingham. “Our guys laugh and compete together. And we only have two seniors, so this group will be back.”
Greatest concern?
“We really have to make a push to get better in the lower divisions,” replied Coach Bingham.
Weeki Wachee: Lack of numbers hurts
If Central and Hernando have issues with lack of numbers, first-year Weeki Wachee can commiserate.
The Hornets enter the county meet at 0-6 and have yet to find anyone to compete in four weight classifications, which ultimately cripples its chances of competing at a higher level.
“From a won/lost stand point, it’s real tough,” admitted WWHS’ first-year skipper Mark Lee. “If we were a 9-12 high school we’d be in a lot worse shape. It’s tough now with all freshmen and sophomores.”
So date, freshmen Anthony DiNardo (370 pounds) and Andrew Vreeland (340) have lifted the most amount of weight.
“The kids are seeing what this sport is all about. I’ve told them I don’t care if they win or lose, it’s all about competing against ourselves,” stressed Coach Lee. “I want to see a PR (personal record) every week. That shows me the improvement.
“The kids understand they’re at the same position some of the Springstead and Nature Coast kids were a few years ago,” added Lee. “Weightlifting isn’t a January to April sport. To be successful you have to put in the time; it’s a year-long process.”
With a lack of depth and so much youth, the Hornets aren’t expected to compete for a top-three spot in the county meet.
“The bigger picture, that’s hard to say at this point,” admitted Coach Lee. “I’d like to have our kids have the type of dedication Coach Garofano has with his kids at Springstead. That’s what we’re shooting for. That doesn’t come overnight. What I like most is when our kids fail, they’re not settling. Our guys get upset at themselves and are striving to get better.”
2011 HERNANDO COUNTY BOYS WEIGHTLIFTING HONOR ROLL STATS (thru 03-22)
– Compiled by TONY CASTRO
TOP 10 HONOR ROLL
Wgt Name Bench-Clean-Total
119 – Fedor, A.J. (NCT) 220-165-385.
129 – D’Amico. Joe (SPG) 215-155-370.
139 – Callaci, Matt (CEN) 225-195-420.
154 – Goforth, Chris (SPG) 255-240-495.
169 – Bailey, Mike (CEN) 315-260-575.
183 – Noury, Armando (SPG) 345-255-600.
199 – Noury, Armando (SPG) 340-250-590.
219 – Santana, Josh (SPG) 285-250-535.
238 – Bronson, Thomas (HER) 315-215-530.
HWT – Stansell, Robert (SPG) 325-235-560.
2011 Central Bears (thru 03-22)
Wgt Name Bench-Clean-Total
119 – Marquez, Josh (CEN) 135-150-285.
129 – Squartino, Giovanni (CEN) 155-165-320.
139 – Callaci, Matt (CEN) 225-195-420.
154 – Maynard, Tom (CEN) 225-185-410.
169 – Bailey, Mike (CEN) 315-260-575.
183 – Teater, Cole (CEN) 225-195-420.
199 – n/a.
219 – n/a.
238 – Merrill, Zach (CEN) 285-190-475.
HWT – Wilson, Tyler (CEN) 235-190-425.
2011 Hernando Leopards (thru 03-22)
Wgt Name Bench-Clean-Total
119 – n/a.
129 – n/a.
139 – n/a.
154 – Bachand, Joe (HER) 250-180-430.
169 – Hawkins, O’Mar (HER) 240-195-435.
183 – Young, Kenny (HER) 270-245-515.
199 – Loparco, Kyle (HER) 280-215-495.
219 – Alderman, William (HER) 280-205-485.
238 – Bronson, Thomas (HER) 315-215-530.
HWT – Bronson, Thomas (HER) 310-245-555.
2011 Nature Coast Sharks (thru 03-22)
Wgt Name Bench-Clean-Total
119 – Fedor, A.J. (NCT) 220-165-385.
129 – Donato, Vincent (NCT) 110-105-215.
139 – Carlucci, Anthony (NCT) 190-180-370.
154 – Ferrara, Alex (NCT) 190-190-380.
169 – Lallement, Ryan (NCT) 235-205-440.
183 – Ryan, Bob (NCT) 250-175-425.
199 – Cabeza, Cody (NCT) 255-195-460.
199 – Cabeza, Cody (NCT) 255-205-460.
219 – Ruiz, Maxx (NCT) 235-210-445.
238 – Siciliano, Anthony (NCT) 215-185-400.
HWT – Cullen, B.J. (NCT) 315-235-550.
2011 Springstead Eagles (thru 03-22)
Wgt Name Bench-Clean-Total
119 – Bliss, Richie (SPG) 165-165-330.
129 – D’Amico. Joe (SPG) 215-155-370.
139 – DeLucia, Keith (SPG) 210-185-395.
154 – Goforth, Chris (SPG) 255-240-495.
169 – Bisard,Brendan (SPG) 270-215-485.
183 – Noury, Armando (SPG) 345-255-600.
199 – Noury, Armando (SPG) 340-250-590.
219 – Santana, Josh (SPG) 285-250-535.
238 – McCloskey, Jon (SPG) 295-210-505.
HWT – Stansell, Robert (SPG) 325-235-560.
2011 Weeki Wachee Hornets (thru 03-22)
Wgt Name Bench-Clean-Total
119 – Peterman, William (WW) 95-95-190.
129 – n/a.
139 – Tardi, Brandon (WW) 155-140-295.
139 – Tardi, Brandon (WW) 150-145-295.
154 – DiNardo, Anthony (WW) 185-185-370.
169 – Vreeland, Andrew (WW) 190-150-340.
183 – Bolduc, Ricky (WW) 170-140-310.
199 – n/a.
219 – n/a.
238 – n/a.
HWT – Crosby, Josh (WW) 145-175-320.
Sports Editor Tony Castro can be reached at 352-544-5278 or online at [email protected].
