St. Cloud is seeking its fifth straight Orange Belt Conference girls weightlifting championship this season, but it will receive plenty of competition from rival Harmony and several more local programs that are on the upswing.
The Lady Bulldogs have won two early-season meets against local competition, but the results have been close.
The sport has been split into two classes this year, with Osceola, Gateway, Harmony, Celebration, St. Cloud and Liberty in 2A District 11. Poinciana and New Dimensions compete in A District 12.
St. Cloud
Coach Lonnie Beckel said his team has performed well early in the season, but new lifters must step forward in order for the team to continue its grip on the OBC trophy.
“It is really hard to tell at this time if we can fill those spots,” he said. “It may be a real challenge this year.”
Returning from last season are Brianna Butler, Carley Fagan, Brianna Gann, Ayla Henson, Unique Howard, Michelle Jackson, Destiny Lachendro, Lauren O’Neill, Katie Quarti, Rachel Speis, Elizabeth Toledo and Essence Tornabene.
Beckel said 101-pounder Consuelo Alvarez and 199-pounder Destiny Oguike have been early season surprises.
Beckel expects to see strong competition from OBC foes this season.
“Harmony has a number of really good girls, Osceola will be much improved, Liberty may have the most lifters that they have had for a long time, and Poinciana always has some good girls,” he said. “I think the OBC meet will be a tight race.”
Harmony
Coach John Wallauer Jr. returns to lead the Lady Longhorns in pursuit of St. Cloud in the OBC race.
Wallauer said that it should be an interesting race.
“We have several state qualifiers and OBC champs again, but it will be tough as always,” he said.
Wallauer said lifters such as Hunter Williams (110), Payton Osborne (119), Kayla Hamilton (129), Ashlee Olson (139) and Becca Bocchinfuso (169) form a strong foundation for success. They all have set school records in their weight classes early this season.
“There are three OBC champs and one state qualifier in that group,” Wallauer said. “We should have several OBC champs and state qualifiers again.”
Other returners include Edleen DeJesus, Brittany White, Kaitlyn Kuchinskas, Corinne Quijano and Kristen Pintor.
Newcomers Yelinda Martinez, Lacie Stark, Chloe McCurdy, Zameena Singh, Emilee King and Briana Dastine all have contributed, Wallauer said.
The underclassmen include Kaitlyn Falotico, Jordan Angers, Ciara Helton, Jenna Herstich, Caitlin Peel, Jessica Blanchard, Katlyn Gossett, Millie Zehnder, Tamerah Jumarally, Shayla Barnett, Bailey Prince, Rebecca Fodo, Katlyn Krenn, Veronica Donato, Maria Vasconcelos, Victoria Sharp and Nathalie Santana.
“Our season goals of winning a district and regional championship are attainable,” he said. “Can we catch St. Cloud? We’ll see how we develop. We’ve definitely closed the gap for the last three years.”
Osceola
Coach Eric Pinellas thinks the Lady Kowboys may be a factor in the conference race this season.
“We should do really well. They are all back and were pretty good last year,” he said.
Top returnees include Nydaiyah Brown (101), Nathalie Darbouze (110), Kelsey Jones (110) and Karina Betancourt (119).
Pinellas said Jamica Williams (129), Anissa Martin (139), Lyric Hiracheta (154) and Jennifer Moradel (169) also are returning and have the potential to excel.
Promising newcomers include Virginia Beljour, Jaylah Harris, Amanda Lopez and Ashley Prelewicz.
Liberty
Coach Rob Weilert enters this third season with a team that he believes will be improved.
“Our goal is to finish as one of the top teams in the county and go from being a participant to a contender,” he said.
“Each of the last two years we have improved as a program. This year we had over 40 girls come out for the team, so this will be our biggest team of my tenure.”
Back for the Chargers are Alexis Casiano (110), Aryanna Morales (129), Kirsten Ferentinos-Elkins (139), Nerah Gumbs (169) and Deborah Emmanual (Unlimited).
Ferentinos-Elkins tied the school bench press record (115) for her class last season, and Emmanuel set the school reord for the bench press (140) and clean and jerk (125).
Newcomers include Jularis Roman (101), Maranda Morales (110) and Kaela Cloutier (183).
Poinciana
Coach Joel Campbell said the team’s move down a class, to A, may help his lifters advance toward the state tournament.
The team’s top lifters are Michelle Chalas (Unlimited), Ja’Niya Campbell (199) and Kiara Fields (139) and Patrice Campbell (183).
“We have a good core group coming back and a few newcomers who have jumped right in and showed some potential,” he said. “Just looking at our district, we should have some success, but only time will tell.”
Celebration
Coach Cliff Branch said his team is developing into a conference contender.
“I would like our girls to compete at a high level and give their 110 percent mentally and physically this season,” Branch said.
His top returning lifers are Destiny Ramos, Denise Mera and Suheyli Velez. Newcomers Julia Danvers, Kayla Hurdle and Luanna Morris show potential, he said.
“We will have other newcomers show progression throughout the season as well,” Branch said.