OAKLEAF – With a state record lift from Fleming Island’s Tyler Nguyen and a strong comeback from Oakleaf High’s Jakobie Baker, area weightlifters in one of the strongest districts in Florida showed off their power Friday morning at the District 4-2A weightlifting championships won by Bartram Trail High School over Oakleaf.

Oakleaf got a second title from junior Tayari “Tank” Otis at 238 with a 580 total.

Fleming Island finished fourth behind Creekside with Middleburg sixth.

Next up are the region 2-2A championships to be held March 24 at Columbia High School.

Nguyen, second last year at 154 pounds with a 620 total off a 305 bench press and a 315 clean and jerk, took center stage on his last lift of the day with a 335 pound clean and jerk. The 335 added with his 315 bench press totaled 650; 30 pounds over his second place total at the Class 2A championships last year.

“That one was 10 pounds over the state record; 20 pounds over my personal best,” said Nguyen, who ousted the 154 field with teammate D.J. Pimienta, a state qualifier last year at 139, second in a distant 515 total. “My total is up 45 pounds from last year at state. Hopefully, that is the top lift in the state, but I think I have one more gear in me.”

For Baker, who suffered a leg-shattering injury over the summer at a contact football camp, the return to the weightlifting scene comes after sitting out his entire football season. Baker, fourth last year at 183 pounds, upped his competition weight to the 199 pound weight class.

“There was some hesitation at first and I had some trouble with split-jerking (lifting and separating both feet on the jerk segment of the clean and jerk),” said Baker. a football running back. “I went to power jerking which keeps my feet parallel and my legs straighter.”

Baker dominated the weight class with a 675 total off a 360 bench press and a 315 clean and jerk.

Last year, Baker totaled 635 to finish fourth at 183.

“The 199 pound guys are bigger, but my technique, I think, is a little better,” said Baker. “I think I can go 320-325 clean and jerk and near 375 for bench.”

Fleming Island got a title from Ian Ali at 119 with a 360 total off a 180 bench press and a 180 clean and jerk to edge Mike Williams of Oakleaf who total 345.

At 119, Charlie Callahan, also advanced to regions for Fleming Island with a sixth place finishat 275.

At 129, Creekside’s Erik Gieger won at 420 with Bailey Bilodeux and Ryan Rosano; third at 335 and sixth at 320, advancing for Oakleaf. Will Stephens of Fleming Island advanced with a fifth place finish.

At 139, won by Creekside’s Peyton Thompson at 450, Oakleaf’s Ethan Gustilo, who along with Rosano, just finished wrestling season, advanced with a third at 425.

At 154, Middleburg’s Tanner Nobles finished third at 505 with teammate Middleburg’s Joh Bushatz; fourth at 420.

At 169, won by Yance Bennett of Creekside at 545, Andrew Thomas of Middleburg finished second at 520 with Oakleaf senior Kenny Davis fourth at 510 to advance.

At 183, won by Bartram Trail’s Alex Newman with an astounding 680 total off a 355 bench press and a 325 clean and jerk, Fleming Island senior Jackson Bull finished fourth at 555 with Oakleaf freshman Kevin Davis fifth at 555.

At 199, Oakleaf’s Demonte Richmond finished third at 560 with Fleming Island’s Kyle Nimitz fourth at 510 also advancing.

At 219, won by Creekside’s Gabe O’hara at 550, Mitch Cuthbertson of Oakleaf finished secondat 540 in O’Hara better by 10 pounds on the bench press. Also advancing was Middleburg’s Andre Jean-Pierre, sixth at 485.

At 238, Oakleaf got a title from junior Tayari “Tank” Otis with his 580 total with Middleburg senior Kodi Carrington second at 570; Fleming Island’s Matt Palomino fourth at 545; Fleming Island’s Jeremiah Jackson fifth at 520 and Middleburg’s Brando Blockinger sixth at 515 to all advance to region.

In the heavyweight division, won by Buddy Rowe of St. Augustine with a 665 total, Fleming Island’s Darius Gooden finished fourth at 570 with Oakleaf’s Jalen Rivers sixth at 550.