Fair, 54°
Weather sponsored by:

Panthers second to Wildcats in district weightlifting

By Randy Lefko
Posted 3/14/18

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Clay High’s Marcaun Robinson and Orange Park High’s David Arajuo were lone titleists to Baker County High’s prowess at the district 6-1A weightlifting championships held …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Don't have an ID?


Print subscribers

If you're a print subscriber, but do not yet have an online account, click here to create one.

Non-subscribers

Click here to see your options for subscribing.

Single day pass

You also have the option of purchasing 24 hours of access, for $1.00. Click here to purchase a single day pass.

Panthers second to Wildcats in district weightlifting


Posted

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Clay High’s Marcaun Robinson and Orange Park High’s David Arajuo were lone titleists to Baker County High’s prowess at the district 6-1A weightlifting championships held Saturday at Clay High School.

Robinson, tops at 183 pounds with a 585 total, and Araujo, tops at 199 pounds with a 580 total, both won their respective weight classes while Baker County took the team title a second consecutive year over Ridgeview High School, 80-38. Clay was a close third at 37 with Orange Park fourth at 30. Eight teams competed with top six lifters advancing to the region 3-1A championships March 24 at Baker County High School. Baker County was the Class 1A runnerup last year by one point to Madison County High School, 22-21 with Keystone Heights third at 20 in one of the closest team finishes. Baker County has been a top three finisher for the past five years.

With the three county teams; Ridgeview, Clay and Orange Park, putting up lifters in the top six of all weight classes, area teams will be battling for another top six finish at the upcoming regions.

Top lift total for the day was Baker County’s heavyweight champion Cooper Hodges with a 695 pound total off a 365 bench press and a 330 clean and jerk. Clay High’s heavyweight Colin Dumas tied for the best bench press of the day at 365, but could only get 255 on the clean and jerk to finish third.

“When it comes to the total at the point; near 400 pounds, it’s a matter of raw power against technique for us heavyweights,” said Dumas, who was hoping for a 375 bench press to put some space between himself and Baker County’s two lifters; Hodges and Tyler Burnsed, who took second at 635. “I’m a stronger bench press than clean and jerk and needed to hit that 375.”

For Robinson, the battle for the top spot was without a Baker County challenge as Robinson’s 585 toal came with a 330 bench press besting a 305 best by Trinity Christian Anthony Rootolo as both lifters tied at 255 on the clean and jerk. Also in 183, Ridgeview’s Trent Coleman punched up the class best of 270 on the clean and jerk to bolt to third place over Orange Park’s Zykiem Sermons who could only get 260 over his head.

“I knew it was going to take a best lift to be in contention,” said Coleman, who visibly shook as he readied to put the 270 pounds over his head. “I sometimes wait to long holding the weight on my chest. That is not helping, but I ready my mind to attack the bar.”

Araujo had the best bench of the 199s at 305 by five pounds over Baker County’s Brandon Combs as the two lifters both cleaned 275 pounds in their one-on-one faceoff for the title. Combs cleared 300 on his second bench press, but instead of going for 305, attempted 315 and failed.

“I knew my bench would be the difference,” said Araujo. “He was tough though and we watched each other lifting to see who would blink.”

In the final tally, Baker County won titles at 119, 129, 139, 154, 169, 238 and heavyweight. Cedar Creek Christian’s Kareem Mixson won at 219 over Ridgeview’s Tyler Huff 570-515 with both hoisting 265 in clean and jerk, but Mixson besting Huff in bench press, 305-250.

Advancing to regions, from Ridgeview, were Narongsak Kunsuwan and Bradley Saam at 119; Robert Holyfield at 129; Rolando Grey and A.J.Beaufort at 139; Jaiden Turner and Matthew Dye at 154; Kiaran Turner and Wesley Morris at 169; Josh Kuseck at 199 and Dawson Smith at 219.

For Clay, also advancing were Isaiah Jones at 119; Caleb Owens at 129; Sencere Gilbert at 139; Derek Holt at 154; Connor Davies at 169; Wilgens Dorvilus at 183; Christian Swilley at 199; Jeremy Sims at 219; Kenneth Johnson and Ross Doan at 238 and Jordan Collins at heavyweight.

For Orange Park, advancing were Markez Sermons and Matt Lava at 129; Arlo Wilson at 139; Alex Collier and Ryan Heggood at 154; Zykeim Sermons at 183 and Kendy Charles at 238.