WEEKI WACHEE – The Nature Coast girls weightlifting team took the first step toward what it hopes is another impressive postseason – and did so in convincing fashion.
The Lady Sharks set a new county record with 81 team points, dominating Wednesday’s Hernando County Championship Meet at Weeki Wachee.
“Huge win for the girls. Huge win; 81 points, never been done in Hernando County. Couldn’t have asked for anything better,” Nature Coast co-head coach Nikki Pierce said. “The girls’ hard work and dedication in the weight room; we wouldn’t be here without them. Their hard work, their dedication, what they put forth as a team is what got that 81 points.
“It’s crazy. If they can do this at county, what’s regionals going to hold and better yet what’s states going to hold for us? On paper, we look good.”
The Lady Sharks, who won a district title and ended up being the state runner-up in Class 1A a season ago, missed out on a fourth straight county crown last year when Hernando pulled off an upset victory.
This time the Lady Leopards were a distant second at 57 points, followed by the host Lady Hornets with 45, Springstead at 27 and Central with two.
“It’s bragging rights,” Pierce said. “It doesn’t move us forward to districts. It’s just bragging rights and it’s a good feeling for the kids.”
Nature Coast concluded this meet boasting three multi-time county champions, in seniors Jessica Osborne and Victoria Davila, as well as sophomore Jouie Miller.
Davila, who won at 129 pounds in 2015, took first at 119 with a 135-pound bench press and a 120 in the clean-and-jerk for a 255 total. This marked her third individual county championship.
Osborne earned the top spot at 110 to add to her victory at 119 last season, hoisting a 110 bench and 125 clean for a 235 overall.
Meanwhile, Miller was a repeat champ at unlimited, totaling a 400 behind a 190 in the bench and a 210 in the clean.
Returning state champion Sam Traudt, who was on vacation during last year’s county meet, earned the win at 139 with a 140-150—290. Kaitlyn Pierce got redemption for scratching out on her cleans in 2015, taking first at 154 (150-155—305).
Also for the Lady Sharks, Kayla Rivera added a first at 101 (80-90—170), as did Courtney Traudt at 169 (135-130—265).
Nature Coast’s next meet won’t come until districts on Jan. 11, also at Weeki Wachee. The goal this season, Coach Pierce said, is a state title.
“It gives the girls an idea that the work that they’re putting in, the nutrition talks that I had with them, that it’s all coming together and it’s working,” Coach Pierce said. “So they will continue to put forth that work and invest in what we’re saying as coaches.
“As long as the girls keep doing what they’re doing, they focus on their nutrition and they stay healthy, and they do their workouts, on paper we should be able to go all the way.”
Hernando junior Janea’ Mobley collected her third county championship, this one at 199 behind a 135 bench and 145 clean for a 280 overall. Imani Powell was the Lady Leopards’ other winner, with a 140-140—280 at 183.
Alexis Hobbs snagged a first place for Weeki Wachee, tallying a 255 to win at 129. She benched 130 and posted a 125 in the clean.
Follow Chris Bernhardt Jr. on Twitter @cpbernhardtjr.