St. Cloud and Osceola’s girls weightlifting programs boasted five regional champions who will be going on to the Class 2A weightlifting meet at Panama City Beach Arnold High School on Feb. 15.
And since eight at-large lifters will also qualify in each weight class from around the state, they hope another handful will get in when those berths will be announced next week.
“We are hoping at least seven or eight girls qualify for the state finals, and anything above that would just be huge for our program and a testament to their unrelenting hard work and dedication,” said St. Cloud Coach and Region 6 meet host Cory Aun, whose Bulldogs accounted for four region titles.
Among the highlights, St. Cloud senior Kaylin White, already a two-time state runner-up, unofficially tied the state clean and jerk record at 110 pounds with a 180-pound lift as she won that weight w with a 145-pound bench for a 325-pound total.
Hannah Wagner (190-175–365) won at 183, Mylie McDonald (135-170–305) won 199 pounds on her last lift, and Zyanna Henry (210-190–400) hit on all six lifts to claim the unlimited class.
“Mylie MacDonald was a surprise for us, pulling out an amazing win against a very close and tough weight class,” Aun said. “Hannah and Kaylin are both undefeated on the season against over 50 teams. Zyanna has had an unprecedented season by not missing a single lift in competition thus far.”
Isabella Pancake (170-180–350) won at 154 pounds, and Alliann Johnson (third at 129 with 335 pounds, and an OBC champion) has a good chance of a wild-card berth.
Other county lifters who could get at-large state bids include Osceola’s Kealonie Vega (second at 101, 230 pound total) Harmony’s Reigan Pellegrino and Liberty’s Christie Mitchel (second at 119, 245 each), St. Cloud’s Aimee Saitta (second at 154, 335), Liberty’s Emma Stephens (second at 199, 300) and Celebration’s Victoria Kyles (second at unlimited, 370).
In the team standings, St. Cloud (49 points) was second to state power Vero Beach (68, won four classes), followed by Osceola (20), Liberty (17) and Harmony (14).
“We didn’t have the depth in critical areas to take the team title,” Aun said. “We have beaten every team we have faced this year except Vero.”
