- November 5, 2024
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KISSIMMEE — It wasn’t a state title, but Matanzas weightlifter Kayla Short had a record-setting weekend at the girls weightlifting state competition.
Short set two personal records at the state meet. She was seeded 14th coming into the competition, coach Sara Novak said.
Short benched a personal-best 200 pounds (a 5-pound PR) and clean-and-jerked 155 pounds (another 5-pound PR) for a 305-pound total.
“She did a fantastic job in a huge competition like that,” Novak said.
Novak judged the first group of lifters, which included the 101 pounds to 139 pounds weight classes, and then she was able to coach during Kayla’s lifts.
“I am so happy Kayla’s hard work took her to states,” Novak said. “(It was a) great experience.”
Short, who is a junior, became the first female weightlifter to compete at states in Matanzas’ history. Short had a memorable season, winning the first conference title in school history and then taking second at the sectional meet.
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