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Hernando Today

SHS: Redemption at NCT

BOYS WEIGHTLIFTING

Photo by JOE DiCRISTOFALO

Springstead senior Nate Schafer tied NCT's Joe Mignoli for the meet's finest bench press total (340 pounds) Wednesday afternoon in Brooksville.

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By TONY CASTRO SPORTS EDITOR

Hernando Today

Published: March 18, 2009

BROOKSVILLE - In the final tune-up for April 1 Hernando County Championship Meet, visiting F.W. Springstead High proved its mettle by bouncing back from last week's lackluster performance at Sunlake.
At Sunlake, Dade City-Pasco High trampled the five-team field securing 62 points. The defending county champion Eagles tied third-year Sunlake for second place with 49 points.
More importantly, Springstead's lifters, according to sixth-year Head Coach Mike Garofano, seemed off missing several lifts and appearing "sloppy" during the meet.
On Wednesday afternoon at Nature Coast Technical's weight room, SHS got its groove back on behind seven individual champions and five runners-up to derail the host Sharks, 52-36.
"I thought the meet would be closer," shrugged NCT's third-year Head Coach Charles Liggett. "But give credit to Coach Garofano. It seems like they always do a good job of moving guys around to suit their needs. They did it again today."
And the Sharks?
"We had some guys get some personal bests, and some didn't," added Coach Liggett. "We knew we needed to max out across the board and get some key seconds and thirds to have any chance (for an upset)."
What was the difference?
"Our strength is with our bigger kids from 183 and up," noted Liggett, who also doubles as the football team's extremely successful defensive coordinator. "With our heavy guys we won by one point going head-to-head (23-22), but the difference was in the lighter weights up to 169. They beat us silly, 30-13."
What's next?
"I know Springstead is off next week while we go to the (Class 1A) sectional meet at Lecanto," explained Coach Liggett. "We'll take anywhere from 8-9 kids to get the exposure of such a big meet. Even though the county meet is two weeks away our kids are excited. No way are we finishing fourth this year."

Eagles: seven champs

Springstead improved to 4-1-1 overall behind seven champs featuring: seniors Billy Siegfried at 119 pounds (170-135—305), Joel Rivera at 154 (280-185—465), James Wozniak at 183 (295-255—550), Daniel Wilson at 199 (315-240-555) and Nate Schafer at 238 (340-245—585), junior Steve Sullivan at 169 (285-260—545) and sophomore Peter Napoli at 129 (165-155—320).
Siegfried's outstanding first season continued as he solved NCT sophomore Chailen Hicks by 35 pounds.
"A friend of mine on the team, Mike Greco, encouraged me to go out for the team," recalled the 18-year-old Siegfried. "It's a really relaxed-type sport. And it makes me look better."
What was the key to success?
"My bench is getting better and better," he replied. "I'm hoping for a 200 by the county meet."
Schafer, who did compete last week due to a shoulder injury, did not go full bore.
He finished 15 pounds less than his previous personal best of 600 total pounds. Yet, he was not discouraged in the least.
"I didn't really want to go too heavy this week," said the 19-year-old Schafer, who still toppled NCT's talented sophomore Gary Myrick by 30 pounds with essentially one good arm. "I came in to win and not to set a school record. I'll set my sights on that later. I'm OK with a 585. Today, I didn't care about the total; I just wanted to help the team."
Like Schafer, Wilson defeated his closest competitor, NCT's Justin Murray, by 30 pounds, 555-525.
"I had a fairly good day," remarked the 19-year-old Wilson. "I hurt my shoulder last week, so this week all I focused on was getting a win and not necessarily a high total."
What was the main difference in the Eagles' approach this week from last week?
"Coach told us to lift strong and focus in on getting as many points as we could," replied Wilson.
Springstead's lone 2008 state placer, Sullivan, is now two weeks away from seeking his third straight county championship.
His brother Jeff was a rare four-time Hernando County individual champion.
How'd the team perform?
"I like it," smiled the 17-yeart-old Sullivan. "It was good for all of us to improve from last week. We didn't have anybody scratch out and we lifted well."
Next goal?
"I'm not predicting anything," Sullivan said with a grin. "I'm taking one meet at a time."

NCT: three champs

The Sharks had their share of success behind three first-place finishers including: sophomore Mike Piskura at 139 (195-200—395), senior Joe Mignoli at 219 (340-260—600) and junior Braddie Ellison at heavyweight (290-245—535).
Piskura won by edging Springstead's first-year senior Alex Santiago, by 15 pounds, 395-380.
Mignoli, who tied Schafer with the meet's best bench press total (340) tied Sullivan for the finest clean and jerk total (260) for his meet-best and career-high 600-pound total.
It also marked Mignoli's fourth consecutive individual win. No other Hernando County lifter has turned that trick this season.
"It's nice go 4-for-4, but I've been sick lately," explained the under-the-weather 18-year-old Mignoli. "Even though I haven't felt well, my cleans have improved. Going in I was hoping for a 600 total and I got it. I guess I'll shoot even higher at sectionals next week."
Ellison notched his third win of the season by toppling Springstead senior Charles Oquendo, 535-520.
"I need to continue to work hard," insisted the 16-year-old Ellison. "I tied my personal best (535). Next time, I'm shooting for a 550 total. In between, I've gotta work on my bench press."

Hernando at Nature Coast
Springstead def. NCT, 52-36
(Top three finishers; points based on 5-3-1 system).
119 – 1. Siegfried (SPG) 170-135—305; 2. Hicks (NCT) 140-130—270; 3. Rossicoe (SPG) 130-125—255.
129 – 1. Napoli (SPG) 165-155—320; 2. Prezkop (NCT) 130-125—255.
139 - 1. Piskura (NCT) 195-200—395, 2. Santiago (SPG) 235-145—380.
154 – 1. Rivera (SPG) 280-185—465, 2. Decene (SPG) 230-220—450; 3. McCarty (NCT) 235-185—420.
169 – 1. Sullivan (SPG) 285-260—545, 2. Armando Noury (SPG) 275-200—475, 3. Cabeza (NCT) 225-195—420.
183 – 1. Wozniak (SPG) 295-255—550, 2. Jarrah Greene (NCT) 275-215—490; 3. Mackiewicz (NCT) 230-240—470.
199 – 1. Wilson (SPG) 315-240-555, 2. J. Murray (NCT) 290-235—525, 3. Clemmons (NCT) 255-235—490.
219 – 1. Mignoli (NCT) 340-260—600, 2. Lakin (SPG) 260-205—465, 3. Mentry (SPG) 250-200—450.
238 – 1. Schafer (SPG) 340-245—585, 2. Myrick (NCT) 275-280—555, 3. Dampier (NCT) 275-260—535.
HWT – 1. Ellison (NCT) 290-245—535, 2. Oquendo (SPG) 315-205—520, 3. Cullen (NCT) 280-220—500.
Records – Springstead (4-1-1), Nature Coast Technical (2-2).

Sports Editor Tony Castro can be reached at 352-544-5278 or online at acastro@hernandotoday.com.

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