Jan. 17 marked the end of the regular season for girls weightlifting in Florida, and Monroe County’s teams are ready for the next level. In a tri-meet held at Marathon Jan. 7, Key West and Coral Shores traded wins, while Marathon celebrated three seniors in their final home contest of the season.
The Lady Conchs took first place in the Olympic event, led by Courtney Ward (101 pounds), Caylee Moore (119) and Aaliyah McLeod (199). Their first-place wins added five points each to the team’s total of 37 to overtake the Hurricanes by just three points and the Dolphins by nine. Hurricane hoisters Mallory Hughes (110), Grace Patterson (169) and Vanessa Gabriel (Unlimited) claimed firsts in their weight classes in the Olympic event. Marathon’s Rilynn Richards (129), Sofia Konyk (139), Adelle Bainbridge (154) and Justice Lee Isom (183) each won their classes. Despite fielding one more champ than Key West or Coral Shores, Marathon came in third due to their limited roster, which gave the ’Canes and Conchs room to grow their leads by picking up points for second and third place in each weight class.
In the traditional event. Coral Shores’ strong performance in the bench press event boosted them to first overall, picking up 38 points to Key West’s 31 and Marathon’s 28. Key West’s Althea Olsen (101) and Coral Shores’ Caylyn Gwilliam (169) picked up wins in the event. Hughes, Moore, Richards, Konyk, Bainbridge, Lee Isom, McLeod and Gabriel were all double winners for their respective teams.
Coral Shores and Marathon are both feeling strong about their chances this postseason. “Our girls have been working hard this season, and are ready to show off their talent,” said Erin Hamilton, the Hurricanes’ head coach. The ’Canes have fielded their most talented team thus far and are several athletes deep in many weight classes.
Marathon’s team is smaller this season, but a pair of state medalists grace their roster, and the Keys’ most seasoned coach has confidence in his crew. “It’s been a great season so far, and all the girls are where they want to be heading into districts,” said coach Jessie Schubert. “We’ve been very happy with the progress of the girls who just came out and we’re impressed with the veterans. I’m excited to see what they can all do in postseason meets.”
Both teams compete in FHSAA’s 1A District 16, whose championship meet will occur at Coral Shores this year. The competition is set for Jan. 20 at 4 p.m., and each of the teams should claim some individual champions.
Key West will have a bit of extra time to prep their muscles; the 2A District 16 championships are Jan. 24 at Archbishop McCarthy.
