Marathon sent four athletes to the FHSAA 1A State Championships in Lakeland on April 12, where the Fins held their own against the strongest prep athletes in the state.
Matthias Martinez-Velez took home the top medal, finishing in fourth place overall in the traditional event by combining a 180-pound clean and jerk with 235 pounds on the bench. In fifth place and earning a spot on the podium was Max Childress in the traditional event. Childress lifted 265 on both the clean and bench to earn a state medal. Senior Tanner Ross secured a state medal by finishing sixth in the Olympic event. Ross snatched 215 and cleaned 280 to earn his medal. Ross cracked the top 10 in traditional as well, finishing in ninth place by adding 265 pounds on bench press.
Damian Stasiewicz finished seventh in the Olympic category. Stasiewicz tied in weight lifted (185 snatch and 235 clean), but his competitor weighed in several pounds lighter to give him the edge.
The athletes’ performances were the best thus far for Marathon, and with the top two medalists returning next season, the stage is set for more hardware and an exciting 2026 season.
