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State berths weigh on county pair

By Steve Lee
Published January 24, 2007

NEW PORT RICHEY - Central junior Johnisha Jackson and Springstead senior Christine Alberts have good shots at qualifying for state at today's section qualifier at River Ridge.

Jackson, who participates in the unlimited division, is benching around 200 pounds, but could go up to 205 today.

"I definitely think on paper from what I've seen she's the No. 1 girl going in," Central coach Cliff Lohrey said.

Jackson finished seventh at state last year, benching 195 pounds and cleaning 150. Alberts, who competes at 154 pounds, also qualified for state last year.

Other area hopefuls include River Ridge's Brianna Hooker, who moved up a weight class to win her second straight Sunshine Athletic Conference title Wednesday.

Three-time individual champion Meghan Seltman led Ridgewood to the team title and Gulf's Carmen Figueroa won her first SAC crown in last week's meet at Ridgewood.

None of those results, however, will help lifters make state. What will is the results from three section qualifiers, the last of which is today at River Ridge. The top three Section 4 (23 schools) lifters in 10 weight classes advance to state.

"It's a combination of all three (regional meets)," said River Ridge coach Mike DeGennaro, whose school also hosts the state meet Feb. 10.

"We thought about having Brianna sit out," DeGennaro said. He figured Hooker is a surefire state qualifier.

Hooker, who lifted at 119 in the SAC meet, will lift in the 110 class at regionals and state.

Others, like Sultman, who has totaled 350 pounds in the 169-pound class, are also solid bets to advance.

"There's not going to be anyone with a better total," DeGennaro said of Seltman's combined bench press (180 pounds) and clean and jerk (170).

Times staff writer David Murphy contributed to this report.

Fast Facts:

Section 4 qualifier

When/where: Today at River Ridge. Weigh-ins at 4 p.m., lifting begins at 5:30.

Teams (23): Belleview, Central, Citra North Marion, Citrus, Crystal River, Dunnellon, Gulf, Groveland South Lake, Hernando, Hudson, Land O'Lakes, Lecanto, Mitchell, Nature Coast, Ocala Forest, Pasco, Ridgewood, River Ridge, South Sumter, Springstead, The Villages, Wesley Chapel and Zephyrhills.

At stake: The top three in each of 10 weight classes, including results of two earlier sectional meets, advance to state.

Admission: $5.

[Last modified January 23, 2007, 21:41:09]