Nature Coast’s girls weightlifting team has high aspirations this postseason, and took its first step toward achieving its goals on Wednesday.
The Lady Sharks, state runners-up in 2016, captured their second straight district championship, advancing a school-record 17 lifters to regionals and blowing away the rest of the field in the Class 1A, District 10 Meet at Weeki Wachee.
“We couldn’t be happier. It’s a great accomplishment on behalf of the girls,” Nature Coast coach Nikki Pierce said. “It was the hard work and complete dedication to working out and nutritional changes that the girls put forth all season.
“We’re right on track with what our goals are, which was get as many girls as we could to the next level.”
In the team standings, the Lady Sharks scored 68 points, compared to 36 by second-place Weeki Wachee. Hernando came in fifth at 22.
Though the top six finishers in each weight class earned a trip to the regional meet on Jan. 21 at Belleview, seven Nature Coast lifters left no doubt with first-place showings.
Among those individual winners was reigning state champion Samantha Traudt, who benched 145 pounds and matched that in the clean-and-jerk for a 290 total at 139 pounds.
Jessica Osborne and Victoria Davila both repeated as district champs, the latter taking the 110 crown with a 115-125—240 and the former pulling off the trick at 119 behind a 135-125—260.
Other first-place finishers included Kayla Rivera at 101 (80-100—180), Kaitlyn Pierce at 129 (140-160—300), Courtney Traudt at 183 (140-135—275) and Jouie Miller at unlimited (195-205—400).
Also qualifying for regionals from the Lady Sharks: Al’Janee Anthony at 101 (fifth, 80-80—160), Aliyah Dipalma at 110 (sixth, 90-90—180), Abigail Fontano at 119 (fourth, 100-110—210), Madison Mookdasanit at 129 (fifth, 95-120—215), Amanda Waddell (fifth, 110-110—220) and Isabella Traudt (sixth, 105-115—220) at 154, Santina Paonessa at 169 (fifth, 125-130—255), Arrieyanna Johnson at 183 (third, 125-120—245), Alaysha Diaz at 199 (sixth, 125-125—250) and Makayla Gardinier at unlimited (150-145—295).
“If everybody stays progressing as they have been, I think that we’re (state) contenders,” Coach Pierce said. “We’ll cross our fingers and hope for the best. If everybody is healthy and everybody makes weight I think we’ll be able to contend for the title.”
Weeki Wachee’s Brooke Spaulding notched the victory at 154, with a 145 in the bench and the clean for a 290, as the Lady Hornets sent nine to regionals.
Additionally, moving on from the host school was Lauren Stoker at 101 (sixth, 65-75—140), Sarai O’Connell (second, 100-115—215) and Kaitlyn Clemons (fifth, 100-85—185) at 110, Shaylyn Gulley at 119 (third, 105-105—210), Alexis Hobbs at 129 (second, 130-145—275), Morgen Avey at 154 (second, 135-120—255), Hailey Barker at 169 (fourth, 130-130—260) and Kelsey Manns at 199 (140-135—275).
Hernando had five regional qualifiers, with second-place finishes out of Kaitlyn Batten at 119 (100-125—225) and Janea Mobley at 183 (135-135—270). They’ll be joined by teammates Miranda Varner at 101 (third, 85-90—175), Sierra Wells at 139 (third, 120-120—240) and Imani Powell at 169 (third, 140-140—280).
On Tuesday, Springstead participated in the 2A-15 Meet at Bradenton-Manatee. The Lady Eagles had two regional qualifiers, Charlize Soars at 119 (fourth, 100-100—200) and Brianne Turncliff at 139 (fourth, 130-115—245).
Follow Chris Bernhardt Jr. on Twitter @cpbernhardtjr.