HIGH-SCHOOL

Hart made Polk history at state meet

The Ledger

Auburndale senior Emily Hart became the first state champion in girls weightlifting from Polk County when she won the 119-pound division with a total lift of 330 pounds.

1 Auburndale senior Emily Hart (girls weightlifting) grabbed the top spot for the second time in two weeks by becoming the first state champion in girls weightlifting from Polk County to cap her high school career. She lifted 150 pounds on the bench press, a personal record, then lifted 180 pounds in the clean-and-jerk to finish with 330 pounds.

2 Lake Wales senior Faith Garza and George Jenkins junior Dallas Dickey (girls weightlifting) each finished state runner-up at their respective state meets. Both finished with 365 total pounds.

3 Lake Wales senior Chanelle McDonald (girls basketball) scored 30 points in the Highlanders' 61-59 victory over Gateway in the 5A-2 regional quarterfinals.

4 Kathleen senior Marcellus Thomas (boys basketball) led the Red Devils to their first district title in 11 years. Thomas scored 23 points in the 68-61 semi-final victory over Lakeland. He then scored 30 points in a 75-72 championship game victory over Plant City.

5 Lake Wales junior Ellie Unzueta (girls soccer) scored two goals to help lead the Highlanders to a come-from-behind 4-2 victory over Auburndale. First, she scored the Highlanders first goal, and then later scored the game-winner. She now has eight goals for the season.

6 Auburndale sophomore Nehemiah Turner (boys basketball) averaged 17.0 points in two games in the district tournament, scoring 20 points over the Bloodhounds 79-55 victory over Lake Wales in the 5A-7 district championship game.

7 Jordan Christian Prep senior Zyon Jenkins (boys basketball) averaged 18.5 points in two games. He scored 20 points in JCP's 64-44 victory over Clearwater Delphi in the FIHSAA Tampa Regional Championship that allowed the Seahawks advance to the FIHSAA final four at Webber International on Friday and Saturday.

8 McKeel junior Cooper Ellis (boys basketball) averaged 22.0 points in two games in the district tournament, including scoring 23 points against Discovery in the championship game. He leads McKeel with 17.4 ppg.

9 Bartow senior Walter Clayton (boys basketball) averaged 19.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 5.5 assist and 2.0 steal in the two games of the 6A-6 district tournament.

10 Santa Fe Catholic's Anna Fleeman (girls soccer) scored the game-winner that lifted the Crimson Hawks to the 2A-6 district title.