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A strong contender
By KEITH NIEBUHR, Times Staff Writer INVERNESS -- After being asked to recall what she bench-pressed during her ninth-grade season, Citrus senior Kathryn D'Ambrosio paused for a second, then giggled. She couldn't help herself. "I think I did 110 pounds," D'Ambrosio said. Today, she warms up with more than that and can bench 170. The four-year letterwinner is the area's premier lifter in the higher weight divisions and will be among the favorites to win at Saturday's state championship in Belleview. "She's got a chance," Citrus coach Doug Patton said. "If she gets her head together and has her best day, and does what she's capable of doing, she can do as well as anybody. "She takes this seriously. It means a lot to her, and she works hard." D'Ambrosio is making her third trip to state. She placed seventh in 2000, then sixth in 2001, when she had a 300-pound total (bench press plus clean). In last week's Gulf Coast Athletic Conference championship, in which D'Ambrosio won the unlimited weight division by 75 pounds, she totaled 320. If she can improve, a big finish is likely. "I'm doing tons better than I did last year," D'Ambrosio said. "I worked real hard over the summer. It's my last year and I want to do the best I can. "Honestly, though, I'm not shooting real high. My goal is third. If I get first, that would be my dream come true, but I don't want to get my hopes up and then feel bad if I don't get it." The keys to D'Ambrosio's success? "Experience and natural strength," Patton said. "And she's gotten more confident in herself. Weightlifting is a sport, like many others, where you have to have that confidence. You have to believe in yourself. "When they first start out, they don't have any idea what they're capable of doing. Then, when they figure it out, they start getting good all of a sudden, and she was like that." D'Ambrosio is among several Hurricanes vying for gold. Their top competitors are Christina Cepeda (101), Jessica Acosta (110), Julie Shott (119), Jessica Baum (129), Norma Jean Carlile (139), Brittany Vitter (154), Whitney Gelin (169) and Stephanie Bass. Each placed well at conference, leading Citrus to the title over defending state champion Central. Citrus, fifth at state last year, is one of the favorites Saturday. The 'Canes will have 19 lifters, the most among county squads. "We have a great team," D'Ambrosio said. "And the girls are awesome. They all help each other. "The team is in my mind all the time. If I can do my best that helps the team out." STATE GLANCEWHEN: Saturday, 8:30 a.m. WHERE: Belleview. DIRECTIONS: From Citrus County, take Florida-44 to Interstate-75. Go north on I-75 to State Road 484 (Dunnellon-Belleview exit), and head east. Turn left on State Road 467/36th Ave. The school will be on the left after about 3 miles. TICKETS: $5. 2001 CHAMPION: Central. LOCAL QUALIFIERS: Citrus -- Christina Cepeda (101), Olivia Longo (101), Jessica Acosta (110), Krisen Klauder (110), Natasha Stokes (119), Julie Shott (119), Jessica Baum (129), Karrie Thompson (129), Norma Jean Carlile (139), Jill Fitzpatrick (139), Krissi Castiglione (154), Brittany Vitter (154), Whitney Gelin (169), Megan Rall (169), Stephanie Bass (183), Ashley Rawls (183), Heather Ferguson (199), Laci Gist (199), Kathryn D'Ambrosio (UNL). Crystal River -- Keri Ann Bolton (110), Jessica McBride (110), Cristy Taylor (139), Lisandra Vasquez (139), Heather Steepleton (154), Alisa Tisdale (154), Melissa Coburn (183), Crystal Strange (183), Veronica Hobson (199), Christine Heitsmann (UNL). Lecanto -- Nicole Deanda (101), Amanda Howard (101), Samantha Chick (110), Christina Skidmore (110), Gina Neshewat (119), Ashley Stewart (119), Sarah Richardson (129), Dana Teller (129), Shannon Gevaras (139), Kristen Richardson (139), Jill Bandhauer (154), Heather Clasen (169), Ashley Hoover (169), Brandi Heinle (199), Tiffany Marino (UNL).
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