ORANGE PARK - Middleburg and Ridgeview high school girls weightlifting had the top of the night finishes with both programs winning district titles; Traditional for the Lady Broncos, Olympics for the Lady Panthers as the cold, bitter weather put a plethora of district tournament action in play on Thursday, January 23.
For Clay High, three time defending state champion Emma Heck, now a senior, won her 139 weight division with a 65 pound gap in Olympics and a 50 pound gap in Traditional to look to defend her title from 129 and grab a final title at 139.
With four district champions; Ash Piniero at 101, Emily Herren at 129, Caylee Johnson at 154, Ava Clinkscale at Unlimited, in the Traditional scoring (Snatch and Bench Press), Middleburg was able to pull away from a strong Ridgeview challenge to win with 64 team points with the Panthers, led by champions two individual champions; Deja Hill at 110 and Jazmin Caraballo at 183, who finished with 52 points.
Fleming Island, with champions Bradi Johnson at 119 and Lily O'Steen at 199, finished third with 46 points.
In Olympics scoring (Snatch and Clean and Jerk), Ridgeview scored the district title with a battle with Fleming Island, 57-52, with the Panthers getting district champion title to Jada Hill at 101, Deja Hill at 110 and Jazmin Caraballo with Fleming Island chasing behind Johnson at 119 and O'Steen at 199.
Middleburg finished third with titles to Herren, Johnson and Clinkscale.
District champions automatically advance to the region championships with the next best five lifter totals to be determined when all district tournaments are completed.
Baker County's Savannah Nyman, at 169, was the lone non Clay County lifter to gain titles with wins in the 169 division in both Olympics and Traditional.
In Class 1A, Keystone Heights and St. Johns Country Day School will compete in their district championship on Friday, January 24 at Keystone Heights High School.
Oakleaf will compete in the district 2-3A tournament on Saturday, January 25 at Oakleaf High School.

Region championships will be held on February 1; Region 1-2A at Bay High School, Region 1-3A at Flagler Palm Coast and Region 1-1A at Wewahitchka High School.