A Breakthrough in the Offing?

Normally when someone competes in an event, they tend to only focus on themselves.

But with Central High senior weightlifter Johnisha Jackson, that could not be further from the truth.

Although Jackson recently won the Section V Meet to advance to qualify for the state finals, if a person were to simply watch her last week at the Hernando County championships, you would never know if she was a lifter or a coach.

"She's passionate about lifting," said CHS Head Coach Cliff Lohrey. "A lot of times you see girls in sports, and particularly in weightlifting, the girls don't have a lot of self-confidence.

"Most of the time, Jackson appears on the opposite end of the spectrum. She's not lacking in confidence and it not only helps the other girls on Central, but all the other girls around her."

Four-time state qualifier

Jackson, a four-time state qualifier, who finished in seventh place in the unlimited class at last year's meet, is looking to medal at states for the first-time ever.

Jackson goes into the state meet seeded seventh (only top six earn medals) in the unlimited class, but believes she can do better.

At sectionals, Jackson won with lifts of 200-140-340 and a week later at the county tournament, she won again with lifts of 200-150-350. Her career-best is 360 pounds.

"I figure I have to get 205 pounds in the bench press and 155 pounds in the clean and that will get me third place," said Jackson.

Her coach believes that having Jackson make four straight state tournaments should put her at the head of the class for Hernando County.

"The fact that speaks highly for her is that she is a four-time state qualifier," described Lohrey. "It speaks of her consistency. She's not a one or two-year wonder. It shows she's had the best career in Hernando County, and getting to the state meet four straight years is something that's not going to happen a lot."

Power outages

Jackson finished in 12th place at the state meet in her freshman year and came in seventh in the past two years.

She also knows what she will do if she makes it into the top three this year.

"I'm going to cry and then I'm going to make a big sound and wave to everybody," she declared.

Both her mother Tiffany and father Johnny are very proud of their daughter, according to Johnisha.

"My mom's OK with it," says Jackson. "She says it's something you like to do and you're good at it. My dad's real proud. He likes to tell people his daughter is a weightlifter."

Jackson has also made a habit out of surprising some of the boys in school.

"I've gotten a few dollars off the guys," she said with a sly smile. "No names now, but they've challenged me a few times, even the football players."

Jackson also found out early that she enjoys the sport.

"When I was a freshman (at Springstead before relocating into the Central zone), I thought weightlifting was just something to do as a sport, now I really like it," she said.

She is also looking to getting other girls to try the sport.

"I'm trying to get more girls to do it," added Jackson. "To carry on our records and the team."