By Danny Federico Riverbend News
The Suwannee High School (SHS) girls weightlifting team was crowned state champions after their 26 point win during the 2021 Girls' 1A State Weightlifting Championship, which was held on Friday, Feb. 12, in SHS's gymnasium, located at 1314 Pine Ave. SW in Live Oak. Branford High School's (BHS) weightlifting team took eighth place with an overall total of 11 points. Session one began at 9:30 a.m., with the 101 lb., 110 lb., 119 lb., 129 lb. and 139 lb. weight classes. Session two began at 1:30 p.m., with the 154 lb., 169 lb., 183 lb., 199 lb. and unlimited weight classes.
For SHS, in the 101 lb. weight class, Aislinn Henry took fourth place with a 115 lb. bench press and a 140 lb. clean-and-jerk, for a total lift of 255 lbs. Macy Bowers, also of SHS, took seventh place with a 100 lb. bench press and a 115 lb. clean-and-jerk, for a total lift of 215 lbs.
In the 110 lb. weight class, Lady Bulldog Matti Marsee took first place with a 145 lb. bench press and a 155 lb. clean-and-jerk, for a total lift of 300 lbs. Ali McMillan, also of SHS, took ninth place with a 110 lb. bench press and a 120 lb. clean-and-jerk, for a total lift of 230 lbs.
For BHS, in the 119 lb. weight class, Haleigh-Ray Harris took third place with a 130 lb. bench press and a 135 lb. clean-and-jerk, for a total lift of 265 lbs. Nathalia Veal, also of BHS, took eighth place with a 115 lb. bench press and a 130 lb. clean-and-jerk, for a total lift of 245 lbs.
In the 129 lb. weight class, Lady Bulldog Sophia Baldwin took third place with a 140 lb. bench press and a 165 lb. clean-and-jerk, for a total lift of 305 lbs. Lady Buc Hannah Terry took eighth place with a 135 lb. bench press and a 140 lb. clean-and-jerk, for a total lift of 270 lbs.
For BHS, in the 139 lb. weight class, Evie Pitts took first place with a 160 lb. bench press and a 195 lb. clean-and-jerk, for a total lift of 355 lbs. Tyrah Kalandyk, of SHS, took second place with a 175 lb. bench press and a 180 lb. clean-and-jerk, for a total lift of 355 lbs. In this case, where both Pitts and Kalandyk lifted the same combined weight, the win is given to the lifter whose body weight is less. Johanna Alicia, of SHS, took ninth place with a 130 lb. bench press and a 140 lb. clean-and-jerk, for a total lift of 270 lbs.
In the 154 lb. weight class, Lady Bulldog Carson Frier took fourth place with a 135 lb. bench press and a 170 lb. clean-and-jerk, for a total lift of 305 lbs. Emma Brown, also of SHS, took ninth place with a 140 lb. bench press and a 140 lb. clean-and-jerk, for a total lift of 280 lbs.
In the 183 lb. weight class, SHS's Maddie Carte took third place with a 160 lb. bench press and a 170 lb. clean-and-jerk, for a total lift of 330 lbs. Erin Starling, also of SHS, was unranked, but lifted a 135 lb. bench press and a 130 lb. clean-and-jerk, for a total lift of 265 lbs.
In the 199 lb. weight class, SHS's Brooke-Lyn Hanuszak was also unranked, but lifted a 125 lb. bench press and a 140 lb. clean-and-jerk, for a total lift of 265 lbs.
In the unlimited weight class, Lady Bulldog Samantha “Sam” Barber took seventh place with a 165 lb. bench press and a 175 lb. clean-and-jerk, for a total lift of 340 lbs. Autumn Latrielle, also of SHS, took eighth place with a 170 lb. bench press and a 160 lb. clean-and-jerk, for a total lift of 330 lbs.