KEYSTONE HEIGHTS - In a unique setting of athletic competition that featured a   handful of state champions, Oakleaf and Keystone Heights threw major body blows en route to a split decision in the Keystone Heights Boys Weightlifting Invitational.

The Invite also featured the return of one of Keystone Heights' more regal coaches in now-Palatka football and boys weightlifting coach Lantz Lowery.

"We are very close to achieving on my three-year plan at Palatka," said Lowery, now a fixture of football and weightlifting for the Palatka High Panthers. "We have a bunch of young kids that trust the process."

Process being lift hard and compete hard, as Lowery produced back-to-back state champion teams while at Keystone Heights for the boys weightlifting team, plus handled the defense for a region playoff run on the football team under coach Steve Reynolds.

At the Keystone Invite, Oakleaf, Keystone Heights and Palatka all produced the monster lifts of the day with Oakleaf taking the Traditional scoring title over Keystone Heights 46-44 with Palatka third at 42. In the Olympics scoring, Keystone Heights took the team title over Palatka, 46-43, with Oakleaf third at 41 and Middleburg within a stone's throw in fourth at 39.

Two individual defending state champions produced the biggest fan reactions with Oakleaf 154 champion Noah Shevchook, now at 169, punching up some of the biggest numbers of the day with an astounding 680 total in Traditional and 540 in Olympics. Shevchook's 680, in comparison, was just 10 pounds off the total of 238 Ethan Simmons of Oakleaf who totaled 690. Shevchook was voted Top Lifter in both disciplines with a 235 Olympic Snatch, a 305 clean and jerk and a 375 bench press.

Down at 129, Keystone Heights defending champion Elijah Mize looked as impressive with a 255 bench press that passed his own school record to win in Traditional. Mize was chased by Oakleaf's Daniel Israel at 129 with a 455-450 total gap with Israel five and 10 better in Olympics Snatch and Clean and Jerk, but Mize dominated bench press 255-240. Harris Jammes of Middleburg won the Olympics in 129 with a 365 total ahead of Israel's 355 and Mize at 340. Jammes had a 160 Olympics snatch to Israel's 145 and Mize's 140.

Champions in Traditional included Benyamin Israel (OHS) in 119 over Dylan Curington (KHHS); Garvens Bonhomme (OHS) in 139 over Evan Williamson (PHS); Walker Weathers (OHS) in 154 over Ajax Sgro (CHS); Boykin Lamelle (PHS) in 183 over Broc Myles (PHS); Kyle Perkins (KHHS) in 199 over Skyler Phoenix-Dean (CHS); Talon Lybarger (KHHS) in 219 over Brad Darnold (MHS); Ethan Simmons (OHS) in 238 over Trace Wooden (Bradford), and Damarius Curry (PHS) in Unlimited over Trent Pavlus (MHS).

Champions in Olympics included Dylan Curington (KHHS) in 119 over Benyamin Israel (OHS); Harris Jammes (MHS) in 129 over Daniel Israel (OHS); Evan Williamson (PHS) in 139 over Ashton Harp (MHS); Brayden McCall (KHHS) in 154 over Ethan Raburn (PHS); Sean Moore (RHS) in 183 over Lamelle Boykins (PHS); Skyler Phoenix-Dean (CHS) in 199 over Lucius Manley (OHS); Darius Swilley (MHS) in 219 over Talon Lybarger (KHHS); Ethan Simmons (OHS) in 238 over Trace Wooden (Bradford), and Trent Pavlus (MHS) in Unlimited over Steve Jennings (Williston).

Next up is the Clay County Championships on March 12.