Hernando Trio to States

BELLEVIEW - The Hernando High Lady Leopards will have a full car when they make the short trip to the state meet at New Port Richey-River Ridge Middle/High School on Saturday, Feb. 9.
Three members of the team qualified from the event out of the Section V qualifying meet Saturday in Marion County, with two earning sectional championships.
Kristian Stephens (183 pounds) and Jasmine Sharpe (199) came in first place in their weight classes, with Melody Hayes (unlimited) also advancing taking second place to Central High's Johnisha Jackson.
The top three in each weight class moved on based on the combined results of the two sectional meets, including one at South Sumter High on Jan. 10.
"I am really happy. I think the girls did a fantastic job," Hernando Head Coach Judi Decker said. "They work so hard. I'm proud of all of them. I think they did wonderful. For three to top out is fantastic. It's really great to see that happen."

Stephens repeats

Stephens, a senior, was the county's lone returning sectional champion from last season, as well as Hernando's only state qualifier in 2007.
Stephens has loftier goals this time around. With a 330-pound total (195 bench, 135 clean-and-jerk), she easily defeated her nearest competitor by 55 pounds. Yet she wasn't satisfied.
"I really honestly think I do have a good shot at placing in states this year," Stephens said. "I definitely need to get my bench back up to where it was before we came here, as well as the clean-and-jerk."
The Lady Leopards hadn't taken part in a meet since mid-December, which Stephens admitted might have hurt her performance.
"I'm kind of disappointed," Stephens said. "I felt this was one of my poorest meets so far this year. Everything felt so heavy to me. I felt weak."
Sharpe, a sophomore and first-year lifter, benched 140 and cleaned 125 for a 265 total, winning by five pounds.
"I didn't think I was going to make it," Hayes said. "The girl from Springstead (Frances Pagan) I thought would have a total of 285. Then I got there and I had a competition with the girl from Lecanto. But all the adrenaline I had set me up for the win and I'm happy right now.
"I just worked hard. I jump up five pounds every time I go in the weight room and I just work hard. I work out and strive to be the best."
Hayes just missed qualifying for states last season when she came in fourth, but the senior left no doubt this time with a 175-145-320.
"I'm just really happy. I've been working hard all year long," Hayes said. "It's finally paying off. I'm going to go to states and bring it."

Jackson: four-time qualifier

The only other girl from the county to advance was Jackson, who will make her fourth state appearance despite being slowed this season by a dislocated shoulder. She beat out Hayes by 20 pounds with a 200-140-340.
"It's good for me (after) messing up my shoulder before the beginning of the season," Jackson said. "I had a lot of jitters but it all worked out.
"I feel fine. I feel I can compete at a high level. Weightlifting is something I like to do. I get pumped. It's like a big family."
Springstead High also competed in the meet, though no one broke into the top three. Nature Coast Technical did not attend.
 
Section V Qualifying Meet
at Belleview
101 - 1. Diaz (RR) 120-95-215, 5. Pizarro (SPG) 80-90-170, 7. Calamari (HER) 75-85-160.
110 - 1. Hooker (RR) 140-130-270, 5. Morrissey (SPG) 100-110-210, 9. Collette (HER) 100-0-100.
119 - 1. Dixon (MIT) 130-130-260.
129 - 1. Figueroa (GUL) 155-140-295, 5. Killory (SPG) 105-110-215, 6. Draganchuck (SPG) 95-115-210.
139 - 1. Rose (RW) 160-145-305, 8. Borrows (SPG) 110-120-230, 11. Pankow (HER) 115-0-115, 12. Harper (HER) 0-110-110.
154 - 1. Mele (LEC) 145-145-290, 6. Hayden (HER) 105-105-210.
169 - 1. Davis (ZEP) 145-150-295.
183 - 1. Stephens (HER) 195-135-330, 5. Forte (CEN) 120-110-230.
199 - 1. Sharpe (HER) 140-125-265, 5. Pagan (SPG) 115-115-230, 6. Ball (HER) 90-80-170.
UNL - 1. Jackson (CEN) 200-140-340, 2. Hayes (HER) 175-145-320, 5. Conroy (CEN) 160-120-280, 6. Dail (HER) 155-120-275.
Key: Central (CEN), Gulf (GUL), Hernando (HER), Lecanto (LEC), Mitchell (MIT), River Ridge (RR), Ridgewood (RW), Springstead (SPG), Zephyrhills (ZEP).