Keys weightlifters met in Marathon Jan. 8 as athletes prepare for the postseason, which is quickly approaching. Marathon had the high score in both the Olympic and traditional events, with Coral Shores in second and Key West in third.
Marathon had double winners in several weight classes, winning the overall top spot at the meet. Winning both the traditional and Olympic contests in their classes were Ella Dunn (101 pounds), Rilynn Richards (119), Ella Evans (129), Justice Lee (183) and Sabrina Schofield (199). Katriya Wright (110) won the Olympic contest and Ava Merryman (139) took first in traditional in their respective weight classes. Lee’s 190-pound clean and jerk, a personal and school record, helped propel her to the top score in the Sinclair coefficient for the meet. Sinclair uses a mathematical algorithm to determine the top athlete regardless of weight class. Evans was right behind in both categories, making for an exciting postseason for the Lady Fins.
Key West had three winners in the Olympic event. Shylo Sanchez (139), Alexa Condella (154) and Victoria Gray (169) each took first in their weight classes.
Coral Shores had individual winners in each division. For the Olympic event, Vanessa Gabriel was the top lifter in the Unlimited class. In traditional, Sydney Eysenbach was first in the Unlimited class with Alyssa Sachs (169), Abigail Bergeron (154) and Rachel Rusch (110) winning their weight classes.
Postseason competition begins Saturday, Jan. 25, with Key West heading to Park Vista High School for the FHSAA Region 4 District 16 2A finals. Marathon and Coral Shores, both 1A schools, compete at AIE Charter the same day. The top two lifters for each school at each weight will earn a place at districts. To move on to regionals, an athlete will need to be in the top 20 of the four districts which make up a region. Only the district champ is guaranteed a spot at regionals, with the other 19 entries being earned with top lifts. Regionals will be held Wednesday, Jan. 29 at Keys Gate for Marathon and Coral Shores, then on Feb. 1 at Dr. Joaquin Garcia High for Key West. The end of the road this season will be Lakeland, where the state championships will be held on Feb. 14 and 15.
