The Keys’ boys weightlifting teams once again proved they can compete with the best in the state this season. Coral Shores and Marathon both enjoyed a successful spring, with the Hurricanes sweeping district titles in both Olympic and traditional lifting and adding a pair of regional runner-up finishes. The Dolphins earned third-place finishes at districts and followed with fourth-place team finishes in both regional competitions, holding their own among deep 10-team fields. By season’s end, the Keys brought home three state medals, adding another chapter to the area’s growing weightlifting tradition.
ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Max Childress
Senior, Marathon
183 lbs.
Childress capped off a remarkable senior season by earning two medals at the FHSAA Class 1A State Championships, placing fourth in Olympic lifting and sixth in traditional lifting. The Marathon standout dominated throughout the postseason, winning district championships in both disciplines with lifts of 540 pounds in traditional and 450 pounds in Olympic competition. At the state meet, Childress showcased his strength with a 265-pound bench press, 275-pound clean and jerk and 205-pound snatch. His consistency and success at every level of competition paired with a calm, steady leadership made him a dynamic and powerful force for the Dolphins.
Kyle Derobertis
Sophomore, Coral Shores
129 lbs.
Derobertis put together one of the most impressive seasons in the Keys, capturing dual district and regional titles in the 129-pound class. He swept both regional events, winning the traditional competition by 40 pounds and the Olympic competition by 35. His winning lifts included a 120-pound snatch, 160-pound clean and jerk and 170-pound bench press. Derobertis advanced to the state championships, the only Hurricane to do so, after a dominant postseason run.
Jake Campanioni
Sophomore, Coral Shores
169 lbs.
Campanioni excelled throughout the season, culminating in a pair of medals at the district championships in the 169-pound class. Campanioni earned silver in the traditional event and bronze in Olympic to solidify his standing in the sport.
Isaak Vallejo
Junior, Marathon
199 lbs.
Vallejo emerged as one of Marathon’s top lifters, winning a district championship in traditional lifting with a massive 570-pound total at states this season. To get there, Vallejo earned district gold in traditional, then regional silver in traditional and bronze in the Olympic category. Vallejo’s state medal cemented his place among the Keys’ elite lifters and set the stage for a standout senior campaign next year.
Matthias Martinez-Velez
Senior, Marathon
139 lbs.
Martinez-Velez captured a district championship in traditional lifting and continued his success all the way to the state championships. The senior strongman earned an at-large bid to states with his second-place finish at regionals and cracked the top ten at states. Competing against the best lifters in Florida, he earned an eighth-place finish in the traditional division after recording a 245-pound bench press and 185-pound clean and jerk.
Aaron Lykins
Senior, Coral Shores
183 lbs.
Lykins was a key contributor for the Hurricanes the past two seasons. At districts, he earned a silver medal in traditional lifting and a bronze medal in Olympic lifting in the highly-competitive 183-pound class. Lykins matched that feat at regionals to cap off a fantastic career with the Hurricanes. His consistent scoring helped Coral Shores secure the district team championship.
Fredy Calix Flores
Junior, Coral Shores
219 lbs.
Flores claimed a district championship in traditional lifting at 219 pounds with an impressive 485-pound total. He also earned a runner-up finish in Olympic lifting, demonstrating versatility and strength in both events. His efforts played a major role in Coral Shores’ district championship season.
Nicholas Calderon
Senior, Coral Shores
219 lbs.
Calderon earned a district championship in Olympic lifting with a 360-pound total and added a silver medal in traditional competition. Alongside teammate Fredy Flores, Calderon helped make the 219-pound class one of Coral Shores’ strongest weight divisions.
Ekon Edwards
Junior, Coral Shores
199 lbs.
Edwards captured a district championship in Olympic lifting with a 405-pound performance and followed it with a silver medal in traditional competition. His ability to score in both the Olympic and traditional events was instrumental in Coral Shores’ postseason success.
Mason Aussubel
Sophomore, Coral Shores
238 lbs.
Aussubel was one of only a handful of Keys athletes to sweep both district events. Competing in the 238-pound class, he won district titles in Olympic lifting with 265 pounds and traditional lifting with 315 pounds, earning automatic advancement to the regional championships.
Evan Toman
Freshman, Marathon
129 lbs.
Toman enjoyed an impressive freshman campaign, establishing himself as one of Marathon’s rising stars. Competing in the 129-pound class against veteran lifters, he earned postseason qualification and gained valuable experience that should position him among the area’s top athletes in the years ahead.
