- November 23, 2024
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Matanzas' team poses after winning their fourth straight regional meet. Courtesy photo
FPC lifter Lexi Buchanan. Photo by Ray Boone
FPC's Anisa Zwolinksi (middle) stands on the podium after winning the 169-pound class. Photo by Ray Boone
The Bulldogs pose with their second-place trophy from regionals. Photo by Ray Boone
Matanzas and Flagler Palm Coast’s girls weightlifting teams competed in their respective regional meets over the past week. The Pirates, who recently won their fourth straight district, also won their fourth straight regional championship on the night of Wednesday, Jan. 23, at Pedro Menendez High School. The Bulldogs, who won their region during the 2017-18 season, finished second behind New Smyrna Beach on Friday, Jan. 25, at FPC High School.
These are the results from each team:
The Pirates, who competed against 15 other schools, scored 70 points to eclipse rival Pedro Menendez by 20.
Sixteen girls lifted for the Pirates in the meet, with 15 of them scoring in the top six in each weight class. The Pirates also had five individual champions, who automatically qualify to compete in the state meet.
Jada Marsala bench pressed 95 pounds and clean-and-jerked 85 pounds to win the 101-pound weight class. Katie Welker benched 125 and clean-and-jerked 110 to win to 110 class. Taylor Phillips benched 135 and clean-and-jerked 125 to win the 169 class. Juliana Smith benched 140 and clean-and-jerked 155 to the win the 199 class. And finally, Chiara Longo benched 185 and clean-and-jerked 155 to win the unlimited weight class.
Welker and Longo, both seniors, competed at states last season.
The Pirates also had three runner-ups, who could possibly be advancing to states, as well, if their totals are high enough to make the state pool cutoff.
The Bulldogs accomplished their goal of winning the regional title last year. However, New Smyrna Beach scored a 50-point total to edge out the Bulldogs by 3 points.
FPC coach Duane Hagstrom said his team struggled to hit several key lifts throughout the meet.
“If you hit your lifts, good things happen,” he said. “We didn’t hit our lifts tonight. If we hit our lifts, it’s a different outcome. You can’t hit 70% of your lifts and expect to beat a team like New Smyrna.”
The Bulldogs still had several individual champions, who automatically qualify for states.
Anisa Zwolinski benched 165 and clean-and-jerked 200 to win the 169 class. Freshman Anniel Buchanan benched 180 and clean-and-jerked 165 to win the 199 class. And Lexi Buchanan benched 280 and clean-and-jerked 220 to win the unlimited class.
Lexi Buchanan, who won a state title as a sophomore last season, said she didn’t max out at regionals, however.
What is her max?
“That’s a secret,” she said. “You’re going to see what I can do at states.”
The state meet is Feb. 8-9 at Arnold High School in Panama City Beach.
