Preps

'Canes, Pirates master new format

BUSHNELL -- With the state qualification format having changed this season, many in the area were left to question how things would pan out.

That question has been answered.

Citrus advanced 12 of a possible 15 lifters and Crystal River had six move on in the sub-region tournament Wednesday at South Sumter. The event was not scored for teams, only individuals.

"In my opinion this is the best format the state can have," Crystal River coach Charles Brooks said. "I think this gives the kids a showcase to show who's the best, because it puts lifter against lifter. You show up, lift and go home. This is the way it always should be."

Previously, lifters needed to meet a predetermined total for their weight class to qualify for states. But in an attempt to streamline states and limit the number of participants involved, the Florida High School Activities Association devised a system that has the top four in each class moving from sub-regions to regions.

"We told the kids to lift to position themselves to finish fourth, don't try to let your ego get in the way," Citrus coach Jonny Bishop said. "Don't push yourself above what you have to do to get a fourth-place finish so you can move on."

Citrus sophomore Justin Cretty took the 119-pound weight class by totaling 335 pounds.

"I think there is a lot more pressure," Cretty said of the new qualification format. "Before you could just total. Now you have to win, it's a pressure situation. I think I perform well under pressure."

Citrus senior Dan Marinelli had a bench press of 405 pounds and hoisted 295 in his clean and jerk to total 700 and take home the heavyweight title.

"This feels better knowing that I'm going to state, but as far as personal bests go, I'm not going to try for those anymore," said Marinelli, who scratched in the clean and jerk at the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference meet last week. "After I scratched, that taught me a pretty important lesson. ... There is more pressure, but I think it kind of helps when state comes around."

Chad Malone placed second for Citrus in the heavyweight class following a huge jump in performance from last season.

"I busted my butt in the weight room (during the offseason)," Malone said. "If I would have needed to get a total, I might not have been going to state. Now I have a chance in regionals."

Scott Guastella, a Crystal River junior, won the 169 class with a personal-best total of 535. He topped out at 470 last season.

"The judge was a little bit tougher this time, but it's a lot better than last year," Guastella said. "I have progressed a lot. My first meet I got 500 and my total now is 535. It is going to be pretty tough."

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