Stephens just misses state mark again as HHS rolls Citrus, Crystal River

BROOKSVILLE - Two days after matching the FHSAA State Finals record for her weight class in the bench press, Hernando High's Kristian Stephens took another stab at breaking it altogether.

Stephens benched 215 in the 183-pound class on Monday and followed that up by benching 210 during Wednesday's meet at Hernando against Citrus and Crystal River.

The senior and returning state qualifier scratched on her attempt at 220. Anachelle Mejais of Avon Park High benched 215 during last year's state meet to set the official record.

Still, Stephens won at 183 with ease, adding a 140 clean and jerk for a 350 total. Her bench press nearly beat the combined total for her nearest competitor, Crystal River's Sarah Wygle who had a 100-130-230.

Hernando won the meet with 47 points, with both Citrus and Crystal River finishing up at 31.

"They did fantastic," Hernando Head Coach Judi Decker said. "They've been working real hard. They really deserved it.

"...This girl (Stephens), she has the stamina, she has the skill, the determination. This girl is really going to go all the way. She really has the drive and the support of her teammates. When she comes up to the bar, we're all waiting and cheering her on."

The Lady Leopards improved to 7-2 overall, both losses coming at the hands of Springstead High. Five girls garnered first-place points including Stephens.

Sophomore Jasmine Sharpe, a first-year lifter, captured first place for the first time at 199, with a 130-110-240 tally.

"I feel I lifted pretty well except in the power clean," Sharpe said. "My back gave up the first time I tried (for 110). The second time I finally got it up.

"I feel like we're doing pretty well as a team. We're coming together, we all get along and we're all pushing each other to do better. We want to be like Kristian Stephens.

"She's been working so hard. We like to see her win. We want to see her make her goals and do more. We want to do that one day."

Senior Mia Tawnsell collected first place at 129, benching 100 and cleaning 115 for 215 overall.

"I got 115 in the clean but I wish I got 120," Tawnsell said. "...For now I want to get my weight, 125, and then get 135 at districts."

Melody Hayes added a first place at unlimited (175-145-320), ahead of teammate Jennifer Dail (145-125-270).

Emily Calamari came in second at 101 (80-85-165), as did Samantha Pankow at 139 (120-110-230) and Alex Hayden at 154 (105-110-215).

Hernando won't have another meet until the Jan. 26 Section V meet at Belleview High.

"We'll be practicing real hard until then," Decker said. "These girls are working real hard. I've got a lot of girls who are going to move on (to states). They're doing fantastic. They're going to be working out and working out. And these girls have got the drive for that."