Three Keys weightlifters qualified for the FHSAA 1A State Championships last week in Lakeland, representing Monroe County within an elite group of the strongest prep athletes in the state.
Marathon’s Chase Leird qualified in the 119-lb category after placing third in the region in the traditional event. Leird, a junior, had a phenomenal season for the Fins, and his trip to states this season should prove to be a valuable experience for his upcoming senior campaign.
Teammate Tanner Ross qualified in the Olympic event at 199 pounds. Ross qualified after placing fourth at regionals. He managed to boost his regional performance by 20 pounds to claim ninth place in the event. Like Leird, Ross is a junior with another season of eligibility remaining and, with that, another shot at a medal next year.
Coral Shores’ AJ Johnson qualified in both the Olympic and traditional events at 219 pounds. The senior strongman earned his ticket to states by placing second at regionals in the Olympic event and third in traditional. Johnson improved his performance in both events and placed eighth in Olympic lifts, cracking the top 10 and just two spots from a medal.
Photos by BARRY GAUKEL and DOUG FINGER.
