State Quest Begins

An estimated 23 Hernando County lifters are expected to begin their state series boys weightlifting quest beginning at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Lecanto High's gymnasium during the Class 1A, Sub-Section V Meet.
Section V, which features 15 schools, includes Clearwater-Calvary Christian, Inverness-Citrus, Clearwater Central Catholic, Crystal River, New Port Richey-Gulf, Brooksville-Hernando, Brooksville-Nature Coast Technical, Hudson, Lecanto, St. Petersburg Northside Christian, Dade City-Pasco, Bushnell-South Sumter, Land O'Lakes-Sunlake, Wesley Chapel-Wiregrass and Zephyrhills.
The 15 teams are being divided into two sub-sectionals. On Wednesday while NCT and Hernando travel to the northern sectional at Lecanto, the other meet takes place at Sunlake.
The top four lifters in each of the 10 weight divisions will advance to Wednesday, April 8's Section V Final at Hudson High. From there, the top lifters will ultimately qualify for Saturday, April 25's 35th annual State Championship Finals at River Ridge Middle/High School in New Port Richey.

Leopards: will bring full boat

According to first-year Head Coach John Palmer, the Hernando Leopards are expected to bring 16 lifters into the Panthers' gym including: Mike Sanders at 119 pounds, Jared Young and Brad Wagner at 129, Daniel Pritz and Jake Elkins at 139, Brendon Harvey at 154, Tallis Roberts and Anthony Giordano at 169, Chris Strickland at 183, Justin Bland at 199, Thomas Bronson and Clay Kessler at 219, Jordan Bailey and Josh Parnell at 238 and Robert Huggins and David Hines at heavyweight.
Coach Palmer, who young and inexperienced squad is 1-6 this season, was asked what he expected in Citrus County.
"Overall, I expect our kids to improve," indicated Palmer. "For our older kids, like David (Hines) and Clay (Kessler) they need to sell out. Each meet could be their last.
"For the younger guys it's all about improving," added Palmer. "But time is running out for competitive opportunities."
The meet serves as one last tune-up for the Leopards and Sharks prior to next week's Hernando County Championship Meet at Springstead High. Both Springstead and Central, in Class 2A, have a bye week before the prestigious county meet.
"Our kids understand that Wednesday is a great opportunity to hone their skills one more time prior to the county meet," Palmer said.

Sharks: seven lifters in tow

Nature Coast technical's third-year Head Coach Charles Liggett is expecting to bring seven lifters to the Sub-Section V meet including: Luke McCarty at 154, Colin Mackiewicz at 169, Jarrah Greene at 183, Justin Murray at 199, Joe Mignoli at 219, Gary Myrick at 238 and Braddie Ellison at heavyweight.
How many Sharks will advance?
"I expect Joe (Mignoli), Gary (Myrick) and Braddie (Ellison) to punch their ticket to Hudson," remarked Coach Liggett. "For the other guys it really all depends on how the rest of the field shapes up.
"I think we'll do real well," explained Coach Liggett, whose team is 2-2 this season. "South Sumter is the strongest team we've faced so far. And to me they are the best all-around team. The key is seeing what Citrus and Crystal River have. Both of those programs traditionally have strong kids."

AT A GLANCE
WHAT - Class 1A, Sub-Section V Boys Weightlifting Meet.
WHO - Brooksville-Hernando, Brooksville-Nature Coast Technical.
WHERE - Lecanto High gymnasium.
WHEN - Wednesday at 3 p.m.
AT STAKE - Top four lifters in this structured meet qualify
for the Wednesday, April 8 Section V Final at Hudson High.