The Leopards have winners in three classes to win the county girls championships.
By BOB CHEESMAN
Published January 15, 2004
BROOKSVILLE - Hernando holds countywide bragging rights after its victory in the third annual Hernando County Girl's Weightlifting Championships on Wednesday in Brooksville.
The event included two events: bench press and the clean-and-jerk.
Led by Rebecca Torres in the 199-lb class, the host Leopards won three of the 10 weight classes and compiled a total of 42 points. Nikki Daiginault and Kristi Morrill added wins in the 169-pound and 183-pound classes.
"I am glad we won, all of the girls did a great job," Hernando coach James Derricco said. "It was a very close contest."
Both Springstead and Nature Coast Tech tied with 37 points. The Eagles, led by Christine Alberts in the 129-pound class, tied Hernando with three individual titles, and the Sharks captured two.
Two-time defending champion Central finished fourth with 24 points. Bears' coach Cliff Lohrey said the disappointing finish was caused by a lack of interest.
"We try to get a good turnout," Lohrey said. "We only had nine girls here today. ... Sometimes we have as many as 40 girls at practice."
In the 199 class, Hernando was the only school with a participant. The six points for winning that class locked up the title.
Central's Sabreen Margeih led all lifters with a combined weight lifted of 280 pounds.
Citrus Country - Citrus' run at the top is over.
Crystal River ended the Hurricanes' streak of county titles at seven by narrowly defeating their rivals at the championship. The Pirates finished with 45 points, four ahead of Citrus. Lecanto was third with 24.
Crystal River got wins from Tiffany Machado (101-pound division), Racheal Reed (110), Sara Dampman (169) and Breanna Driver (unlimited).
Citrus won nine of 10 divisions last season to win easily. Crystal River was second in 2003 and a distant third the previous season.
- Times staff writer Keith Niebuhr contributed to this report.
