Depth carries Pasco to victory

Despite only two champions, the Pirates edge the Royal Knights for the conference title.

By MIKE TOMPKINS
Published March 31, 2005

HUDSON - Pasco unseated two-time defending champion River Ridge 47-41 for its first Sunshine Athletic Conference title since 1998. The Pirates relied on a numerical advantage as they had only two champions, Ray Groover (129 pounds) and Jerry Carter (heavyweight). Ridgewood finished third with 37 points followed by Hudson (26), Mitchell (18), Zephyrhills (17), Gulf (15), Wesley Chapel (15) and Land O'Lakes (3). Pasco and River Ridge had as many champions (two) as Land O'Lakes had lifters.

"I don't have any great lifters," Pirates coach Dave Gaffney said. "But I had almost a whole team, and they're all above average. In this sport, if that happens, it makes a big difference. I was really surprised because I was expecting to get third."

After two years of finishing second to Wesley Chapel's Tommy Edwards, who graduated last year after winning a state title at 183, River Ridge's Jordan Powell (199) finally found himself on the winning end. Among Pasco County's best chance for a state title, Powell won by the widest margin. His total of 640 pounds was 150 more than the second-place lifter, and his 365-pound bench press was a meet-high.

"It feels a lot better than losing," Powell said. "It just feels like all the hard work is starting to pay off."

River Ridge coach Mike Marlin said while his team was close to another title, it did not have the type of day it was capable of.

"My 119-pounder that would have finished third bombs out. That's four points, and then we're right in it," Marlin said. "My 199-pounder, who should have been second or third, has a terrible day. My 183-pounder that finishes third should have finished first or second. We were close, but we just didn't have a good day lifting.

"Pasco had more lifters then we did, and at conference, if you come in with less than 20 (lifters), you better have good lifters. And they all better have a good day."

Hudson's Nate Toole (238) lifted the most and got the loudest ovation when he successfully lifted 305 in the clean-and-jerk on his second attempt. His third attempt, at 310, failed, leaving him with a total of 650.

Wesley Chapel's Kevin Boyd (154) won his third consecutive SAC title, and Mitchell's Spencer Brown (219) won his second.

[Last modified March 31, 2005, 01:29:09]