KEYSTONE HEIGHTS - Keystone Heights senior Taylor Beall returns to the Class 1A weightlifting championship without his usual cowboy boots, but his Indians will be fully loaded to make a second run at the title with nine lifters traveling to Deland High School April 7-8.

In 1A, Clay High will send three lifters, Orange Park sends two with region champion Alex Bailes and Ridgeview sends two; one a freshman.

In 2A, Fleming Island will send four; Oakleaf will send three and Middleburg will send two.

In 2014, Keystone Heights tied with Baker County with 16 points for the Class 1A title.

“He (Beall) used to wear those cowboy boots because they were stiff and heavy and kept his feet planted,” said Keystone Heights coach Chuck Dickinson, who assists with Lance Lowery being head coach after returning from Interlachen High School. “We got him some regular lifting shoes and he is doing alright with them. He’s going to be in a fight though.”

In the 129 pound division, where Beall finished third in 2016 with a 430 total, Beall comes in with a total of 440 with a region title.

In that 129 weight class, the top seed for the state meet is D’Marques Johnson, a senior at Cedar Creek Christian, who is just five pounds up at 445. Johnson was seventh in 2016 with a 405 total.

Joining Beall in 129 will be four lifters all within five pounds of eadch other with three qualifiers hitting the 445 total and Beall at 440.

“It will be who has the better day,” said Dickinson. “Taylor is a tough competitor and doesn’t like to lose, but I’m sure the others are tough too. It’ll be tense.”

Also in 129 are Clay High senior Shane Ballesta at 390 and Ridgeview High freshman Rolando Gray at 370.

“Rolando wasn’t a surprise, he’s had a great year and has been working hard with us since the summer,” said Ridgeview coach Cameron Porch. “Both guys (Gray and senior Jonathan McDow at 238), numbers were on the move the week of regions so we are trying to ride that wave up to state and see if we can get them to peak on Saturday.”

For Orange Park’s Bailes at 238, who returns to the state meet with his first region title and a 605 total, the target will be Cardinal Mooney’s Dillon O’Neill, the runnerup last year at 675, who comes in at 695. Bailes’ total in 2016 was 580. Ridgeview’s Jonathan McDow will also be in the 238 division with a 600 total. Both Bailes and McDow have a shot at a top six medal with nine of the top 10 lifters situated between 600 and 625 pounds.

“McDow has a chance to place if he has a solid day which would be awesome for him being his senior year,” said Porch.

Also among the Keystone Heights qualifiers is senior Rian Prieto at 199 who returns to athletics in general after a season ending knee injury during football season. Prieto enters with a 550 total against the top seed of 625 from Seth Bradshaw of Pedro Menendez High School.

“Rian Prieto has had two knee reconstructions within the last 18 months, but was cleared to compete at maximum effort on March 23, two days before the regional finals on March 25,” said Keystone Heights coach Lantz Lowery. “He is the best leader in the weightroom.”

In the unlimited division, Keystone Heights offensive lineman Matthew White got tabbed to advance with his 665 total with teammate Dan Dodd just out of the list totals at 585. Top seed is Interlachen’s Joel Makatura, the runnerup last year at 700 who comes in with a 725 total. Makatura’s older brother, Jared Makatura, won four straight titles (2011-14). In the weight class is also Orange Park High’s Shawn Bizzell who finished fourth last year at 690 and comes in with a 685 total from regions.

The rest of the Keystone Heights lineup includes Brandon Spivey (139) who returns to the state meet with a 465 total with the top seed at 480. Spivey has teammate David Spivey also in at 395.

“All of our lifters have to hit their lifts, nothing spectacular just be steady and we will have a chance,” said Lowery. “Madison looks the best, they are really strong. Bradford has the kids to win it all as well so does Baker County.”

At 169, Keystone Heights senior Zachary Blalock comes in at 545 with the top seed at 590, Zion Barber of nearby Bradford County High.

Region champion Justin Raysin, a senior at Keystone Heights, enters as the fourth seed at 580 with Kima McDaniel, of Madison County, sixth in 2016 at 575, the top seed at an impressive 660 pounds. Hunter Collins, a senior, joins Raysin with a 515 total making the cut.

At 219, Keystone Heights senior Nolin Robertson advanced with a 570 total, but top seed Jeff Brown of West Florida High, is at a 690 total. Clay High’s Marcus Jones, a linebacker and fullback, comes in at 610. Jones was sixth in 2016 with a 605 total.

In the 2A meet, set for Fri., April 7, Fleming Island junior Tyler Nguyen, eighth in 2016 with a 560 total, improved to 620 for a region title and a number two seed. On top of the 154 weight class is Choctawhatchee senoir Justin Scott at 645.

“Tyler has placed first in every competition/invitational in which he has competed,” said Fleming Island coach Craig Nosse. “Tyler still has a chance to achieve his goals of winning a state championship and setting a new state record on the clean and jerk. It is incredible that he is only a junior and will be back next year no matter what happens.”

At 183, Oakleaf High junior Jakobie Baker sits as second seed with a 635 total behind leader and 2016 runnerup at 169, Josh Placecki of St. Cloud’s 700 total. Baker is grouped with four lifters at 635 all with a shot at a top six medal. Also in 183 is Oakleaf senior Anthony Laskowski who totaled 600.

“Jakobie has a real good shot standing high on the medal stand,” said Oakleaf High coach Dana Arthur. “If Anthony has a great day, he will be standing on the medal stand.”

Two impressive top seeds; Kamario Bell, a senior at Columbia at 199, and Graylon Johnson, a senior at Choctowatchee and the defending 238 champion, come in with immense totals of 730 and 810 pounds, respectively. In those two groups, Fleming Island’s Jason Manalo enters with a 620 total in 199. Bell, a favorite in 2016, failed to total last year.

In the 238, Middleburg’s Brent Caviness and Oakeaf’s Eric Rand are in at 610 and 615, respectively.

“It’s always awesome when seniors come out and lift,” said Arthur. “Usually they get ‘senioritis’, but Eric has done good job working and staying focused on his goals.”

In the lightweight classes, at 119, Middleburg’s Tylr Braswell totaled 370 and sits behind top seed Andy Montalvo of Columbia’s 470. Braswell was seventh in 2016.

At 139, Fleming Island’s D.J. Pimiento enters at 445 with University High’s J.D. Brandon holding a 530 total.

In 169, Fleming Island senior Franco Bello enters at 560 with leader Derek Beauchamp of Spruce Creek at top seed at 630. Bello improved from a best total of 545 in 2016.

“Jason, Franco and DJ are also extremely strong and dedicated kids but are a few pounds away from being able to challenge for a state championship in their respective classes,” said Nosse. “I do expect for each of them to compete for a medal and finish somewhere in the top six in their classes. If we go down there and execute our lifts, I feel very confident this will happen.”

Clay County lift history

Team Champions: Keystone Heights 2014 (tie with Baker County)

Individual champions:

Clay (4): Ted Monroe (1A-2011, 169), Tavaris McDuffie (2A-1999, 139), Bob Sweat (2A-1983, 132) Kenneth White (2A-1983, 123)

Fleming Island (2): Jesse Brooks (2A-2011, 129), Frantz Caudio (2a-2012, 199)

Orange Park (5): Andrew Radica (2A-2014, 199, 2A02015, 183), Jacob Abdel (2A-2014, 183), Roger French (4A-1984, 132), Carlos Jefferson (2A-2008, 169)

Middleburg (2): Robert Kepler (3A-1986, 114), Josh Pruitt (5a-1998, 154)

Keystone Heights (2): Darrell Byrnes (3A-1995, 154), Bear Snay (3A-1998, 154)

2016

2A Teams

1. Choctwatchee 19

1. Spruce Creek 19

3. Flagler 14

4. Fleming Island 4

1A Teams

1. Baker County 15

1. Vernon 15

3. Bradford 12

9. Keystone Heights

9. Orange Park 8

Clay 1