Monroe County teams had a noteworthy season in girls weightlifting this year. Collectively, Keys teams earned two team district championships, 22 individual district championship medals, three individual regional titles, and one individual state title. A total of 10 athletes made the cut for the state meet, making a significant showing for the Keys in the highest level of competition in girls weightlifting at the prep level.
MVP
Justice Lee
Junior, Marathon
183
Top Lifts
Bench: 185
Snatch: 170
Clean & Jerk: 205
Marathon’s Justice Lee is a three-time state gold medalist, following up her incredible state championships last season with an additional gold this year in traditional lifts. She earned silver in the Olympic event and the powerful junior gets stronger by the day. Lee never misses a workout or an opportunity to improve, seeking extra coaching and gym time whenever she can. In addition to holding every single record in Marathon’s girls weightlifting books and multiple state medals, Lee brought home a pair of firsts in districts and regionals this season.
Ella Dunn
Senior, Marathon
101
Eleanor “Ella” Dunn capped off her senior season in style, winning a district title in Olympic lifts and the runner-up medal in traditional. At regionals, Dunn captured a pair of bronze medals and qualified for the state meet. Her performance at states earned Dunn a pair of fifth-place medals to add to her extensive collection.
Ayme Maradiaga
Junior, Marathon
101
Part of Marathon’s extremely talented junior class, Ayme Maradiaga placed first at districts in the traditional event and third in Olympic lifts. At regionals, she was second in traditional and fifth in Olympics, earning a trip to states with her efforts. Maradiaga won bronze at states in the traditional category and was 13th in Olympic, setting the stage for a prosperous 2026 season.
Ella Evans
Junior, Marathon
129
Marathon’s Ella Evans won dual district titles this season, then finished with a pair of silvers at regionals. The hard-working junior’s efforts at regionals earned her a bid to states, where she came home with two medals, a fourth place in traditional and sixth in Olympic. Evans also earned the status of Top Lifter at the FHSAA 1A District 16 Championships in the traditional category, making for a very exciting senior campaign next year.
Brizni Vargas
Senior, Marathon
154
Brizni Vargas made the most of her senior season, claiming a district championship in traditional lifts and a runner-up medal in Olympic. At regionals, she was fifth in traditional, qualifying for the state meet with her exceptional totals. There, Vargas ended her high school career ranked number 15 in Florida.
Ava Merryman
Junior, Marathon
139
Marathon’s Ava Merryman was the district champion in traditional lifts, the only event she competes in. Merryman automatically qualified for regionals where she placed fifth, ranking her among the top 33 lifters in the state.
Aaliyah McLeod
Freshman, Key West
199
Key West’s Aaiyah McLeod made waves in her division as a freshman, bringing home dual district championships in her weight class. McLeod’s district golds qualified her for regionals in her first season of competitive weightlifting, making for an exciting future for her in the sport.
Alexa Condella
Senior, Key West
154
After a substantial season with the Conchs, Alexa Condella finished off her career in high school weightlifting with a bronze at districts in the Olympic event. Condella qualified for regionals, but opted to attend a leadership conference at Texas A&M, which she plans to attend next year.
Jennille Arias
Senior, Coral Shores
169
Coral Shores’ Jennille Arias beat out her district competition with ease, bringing home a pair of first-place medals and automatically qualifying for regionals. At regionals, Arias won first place in traditional and second in Olympic lifts, qualifying for states in both events. Arias completed her stellar career with the ’Canes by securing state runner-up status in traditional lifts and a third-place medal in Olympic.
Sydney Eysenbach
Senior, Coral Shore
UNL
Sydney Eysenbach claimed a pair of district titles this season, then followed up with a pair of silver medals at regionals. Eysenbach qualified for states with her regional lifts and medaled there, as well. She won fourth place in Olympic lifts and sixth in traditional, finishing her time with the ’Canes as one of the most decorated weightlifters in school history.
Kali Gomer
Senior, Coral Shores
129
In her senior campaign, Kali Gomer won a pair of silver medals at districts, automatically qualifying for the regional event. At regionals, Gomer was fourth in Olympic lifts and sixth in traditional. With impressive weights lifted in the Olympic events, Gomer finished her final season with the Hurricanes as a 2025 state qualifier.
Rachel Rusch
Senior, Coral Shores
110
Coral Shores’ Rachel Rusch was the district champion in the traditional event, moving on to regionals where she secured the bronze. With a solid regional performance, Rusch was a state qualifier, capping off a fantastic high school campaign.
