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GAINESVILLE - Each of the five state weightlifting champions from the North Suncoast took a different road to the state tournament, but the one constant in each of their quests included hard work and dedication.
Saturday at the O'Connell Center, Scott Guastella of Crystal River, Rob Holdaway of Citrus, Andrew Hutchison of River Ridge, Thomas Edwards of Wesley Chapel and Anthony Roberts of Hernando were able to celebrate state titles.
Guastella, who was 10th in the state last season at 169 pounds, bench-pressed 365 pounds, 20 better than any other lifter in his class to win the Class 1A crown at 183 pounds. "After last season I didn't put the weights down," said Guastella, who totaled 650 pounds. "This is the hardest I have ever worked out."
The Crystal River senior clinched the win when Navarre's Spencer Clark barely missed a clean-jerk attempt of 320 pounds.
"He used to get on my nerves, he stayed (in the weight room) so late," joked Pirates coach Charles Brooks of his school's first state champion since Norman Hamner in 2002. "We were walking out of Live Oak (last year, site of the Class 1A state meet), and he looked back and said, "I am going to win this thing next year,' and he came out and did it."
Roberts used an impressive bench press of 300 pounds to key his victory in Class 1A at 139 pounds. Despite his prowess on the bench, though, a 205-pound power clean made all the difference for Roberts, who scratched in the clean-and-jerk last year at state.
"(The bench press) is a talent, but I have worked harder on cleans," said Roberts, who became the first Hernando lifter to win a state title since Dwayne Mobley won one in 1992.
Roberts' effort coupled with place winners Michael Singer (sixth at 129), Chad Sanders (third at 139) and Andrew Neiderhelam (sixth at 238) enabled the Leopards to place fifth in Class 1A with 13 points, the school's best finish at the state meet.
"The work ethic of these kids is just great," Hernando coach Bill Browning said. "Every one of them that has been successful has really put in the time."
Holdaway totaled 475 pounds to take the Class 2A, 129-pound title and became the fourth athlete in school history to win a state crown in any sport.
"It was one of those things where I did enough to win," said Holdaway, the first Citrus lifer to win a state title since Jordan Darga did four years ago.
Holdaway, who was sixth in Class 1A last season at 129 pounds, totaled 490 pounds a year ago but was able to make due this time around.
"Any time you win a state title it is great," Citrus coach Jonny Bishop said. "A win is a win, and I am proud of him."
Hutchison had a record-breaking day in the 169-pound weight class in 2A. He totaled 655 pounds and tied the overall state record on the bench press at 169 pounds with 380 pounds and then broke with a lift of 390 pounds on his fourth lift.
"It feels great to have both a state title and a state record," said Hutchison.
The win by Hutchison enabled him to become the first River Ridge lifter to win a state weightlifting title. Another River Ridge lifter, Jordan Powell, placed fifth in Class 1A at 183 pounds.
"We finally had a good day at the state meet," Royal Knights coach Mike Marlin said. "Especially on the bench and with Andrew, which is strength, we knew that he would do well."
Edwards, who had bench-pressed 405 pounds earlier this season, totaled 660 pounds to win Class 2A's 183-pound title.
"The biggest key has been staying with it," said Edwards, who placed ninth in Class 1A at 183 pounds last season with a 545-pound total. "I kept my goals in mind and kept working hard."
The win culminated an impressive turnaround for Edwards. "Last May, he came to me and said he wanted to win a state title," said Wesley Chapel assistant coach Joe Brown. "He never missed a day and worked his butt off."
Port Orange Spruce Creek scored 24 points to claim its 11th consecutive state title in Class 2A. Blountstown took the Class 1A crown by three over Bartow.