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HIGH-SCHOOL

Dreadnaughts lift 3A-10 district title

By Ivan Lambert
Ledger correspondent
Lakeland's Carlisle Johnson makes a lift in the 199-pound class during the Class 3A, District 10 weightlifting meet. From winning the district title he went on to become one of two weighlifters from Polk County to win a state title. Ridge Community's Gregory Hendrix won the 183-pound weight class.

WINTER HAVEN — Lakeland displayed more depth than any other team on Thursday en route to capturing the Class 3A, District 10 boys weightlifting team championship at Winter Haven High School.

The Dreadnaughts captured three of the 10 weight classes, and had 17 weightlifters advance to next week’s regional competition.

Lakeland completed its title run with 73 team points, followed by Winter Haven (46) and Haines City (39).

Lakeland's David Ascencio makes a lift during the Class 3A, District 10 weightlifting meet at Winter Haven High School.

Lakeland's winners were David Ascencio (169), Carlisle Johnson (199) and Guerlens Milfort (Unlimited).

The Dreadnaughts picked up second-place finishes from Kyle Lopes (119), Eric Ford (129), Brett Nutting (199), and Larry Jones (238).

Winter Haven was led by sophomore Zane Bowers, who was the lone winner for the Blue Devils at the 154-pound class with a 230 lift in the bench press and 245 in the clean-and-jerk for his 475 total.

The Blue Devils did garner two second-place finishes from Edinio Taylor (139) and Justin Samaro (219).

Haines City started out fast when Ja’Darian Valentine (119), Nashon Paul (129) Antonio Marcus (139) all won their respective weight classes.

Addison Principe (154) also earned a second-place finish for the Hornets.

Haines City's Nashon Paul jumps into the arms of teammate Wayne Jackson after lifting 195 pounds in the 129-pound class during the Class 3A, District 10 weightlifting meet at Winter Haven High School.

“We had a great spring break practice, and had a lot of momentum coming off of the county meet,” said Lakeland coach C J Johnson, who is in his third season as head coach. “We really just wanted to have fun today and compete with ourselves first. We had four or five guys perform their personal-best results today. I am proud of our guys and hope they will use this experience as good motivation to continue to push themselves in the sport.”

The top six lifters in each weight class advance to next week’s regional competition at St Cloud High School on Friday.

Winter Haven's Zane Bowers makes a lift during the Class 3A, District 10 weightlifting meet at Winter Haven High School.

Class 3A, District 10

Team Standings: 1. Lakeland (LHS) 73, 2. Winter Haven (WH) 46, 3. Haines City (HC) 39, 4. Bartow (BHS) 26, 5. Ridge Community 21 (RC), 6. George Jenkins (GJ) 8, 7. Kathleen (K) 5.    

Individuals

119:1. Ja’Darian Valentine (HC) 380 (205-175), 2. Kyle Lopes (LHS) 250 (135-115); 129: 1. Nashon Paul (HC) 410 (215-195), 2. Eric Ford (LHS) 400 (220-180); 139: 1. Antonio Marcus (HC) 435 (235-200), 2. Edinio Taylor (WH) 365 (190-175); 154: 1. Zane Bowers (WH) 475 (230-245), 2. Addison Principe (HC) 445 (250-195); 169: 1. David Ascencio (LHS) 530 (275-255), 2. Jaivon Randolph (BHS) 475 (260-215); 183: 1. Gregory Hendrix (RC) 555 (315-240), 2. Josh Lewis (K) 445 (260-185); 199: 1. Carlisle Johnson (LHS) 605 (320-285), 2. Brett Nutting (LHS) 520 (265-255); 219: 1. Duante Hall (BHS) 575 (330-245), 2. Justin Samaro (WH) 515 (280-235); 238: 1. Derrick Floyd (BHS) 610 (335-275), 2. Larry Jones (LHS) 590 (345-245); HWT: 1. Guerlens Milfort (LHS) 600 (315-285), 2. Mario Armas (RC) 600 (360-240).