Is a Repeat in the Offing?

Wednesday's 11th annual Hernando County Boys Weightlifting Championship Meet at Springstead High has an interesting subplot.
Oddly enough, across the past eight seasons, there's been a different team champ each time in the four-team field featuring: defending champion Spring Hill-Springstead, 4-time county champ Brooksville-Central, Brooksville-Hernando and Brooksville-Nature Coast Technical.
It's been nine years - specifically since 2000-01 with Central - since any team has ever repeated in this event.
The reasons vary.
For the most part, parity has reigned among the top three schools in this sport: Central, Springstead and Hernando.
Each school is permitted to bring its top 15 lifters to today's 3:15 p.m. start at the SHS gymnasium.
But one lifter scratching out can ultimately tip the scales in favor of another squad.
Another huge factor is depth.
Springstead's key to success last year was each of its 15 lifters all scored points.
It didn't hurt, either, that the Eagles notched six individual champions in the meet.
Here's a preview.

Eagles: Heavy favorites

Sixth-year Springstead Head Coach Mike Garofano finds himself in the cat bird's seat. The other three county coaches believe the Eagles are definitely the team to beat, but can not agree upon a runner-up.
"I think Nature Coast will be real competitive," explained Garofano. "And what worries me is the unknown. Every year somebody shows up with guys you've never seen before, so you have to expect some surprises.
"Now, I think Coach (Charles) Liggett has done a nice job at Nature Coast," added Garofano. "They've improved their cleans tremendously. If we're gonna win, then we're gonna have to fight 'em off."
What's the key on Wednesday?
"You absolutely can not have guys scratch out," insisted Garofano. "And we'd like all of our kids to score points. I think we can get five champs, with a couple breaks maybe even six; so I like our chances."
What about being the first team to repeat in almost a decade?
"It'd be real nice to put that stat to bed," smiled Garofano. "It would give us a little more notoriety because kids want to be a part of something that's successful."
SHS enters the meet with four lifters atop this week's Hernando Today Honor Roll including: 2008 state placer Steve Sullivan at 154 pounds, James Wozniak at 169, Daniel Wilson at 199 and Nate Schafer at 238.
Sullivan, Schafer and Geovanny Decene (at 129 pounds) are all defending county champions. Sullivan is attempting to earn his third straight county individual crown.

NCT: Getting off the canvas

While Springstead is attempting to achieve something it's never done in this sport with a repeat, the last thing NCT wants is a repeat of the past.
Through five county meets, Sharks have never extracted themselves from last place.
That may change Wednesday.
"Springstead is the top team, no doubt," explained third-year Head Coach Liggett. "My thing is we're better than we have been in the past, now is our opportunity to get as many points as possible."
Any predictions?
"Regardless of their numbers, Central has always been tough and I see Hernando as sneaking in there with the capabilities for an upset," Liggett said. "I think Hernando will be a lot more competitive than people think. Our guys know they have to have their best days for us to have any chance. We didn't have a good showing last week in sectionals, so hopefully it'll help us get a good showing this week."
NCT has three lifters atop this week's Honor Roll including Anthony Carlucci and Mark Piskura tied for the best at 139 and Joe Mignoli at 219.

HHS: Hope to rally around the team

Hernando High's creed this spring is simply to improve from week to week.
According to first-year skipper John Palmer, the focus this week switches on rallying around the team.
"Springstead is definitely the favorite," commented Palmer. "And we'd have to have some outstanding things happen for us to make a (title) run. Hopefully, this will help our kids gain that necessary big meet experience."
The Leopard have two Honor Roll leaders including Daniel Pritz at 139 (tied with NCT's Piskura and Carlucci at 395 total pounds lifted) and Robert Huggins at heavyweight.

Central: Two possible champs

The Central Bears completed the regular season at 1-6 overall. Their lone win? A narrow 30-29 nod over Hernando.
Overall, Head Coach Joe Nestor's eighth edition is young with only two seniors on the roster.
Yet, junior move-in Ben Lascurain has made a lasting impression pacing the county with the highest totals lifted at both 119 and 129 pounds.
According to Nestor, another junior Alex Jang, could be in the gold medal hunt at 183 - depending on where Springstead places Wozniak.
"We're building for the future," explained Coach Nestor. "On Wednesday, we're trying to be competitive and not get embarrassed. I'm really proud of the way the guys have gotten stronger since the beginning, but we've only got two seniors.
"As far as Springstead, they'll win unless they mess it up," smiled Nestor. "They've legitimately got five guys who could take first place. They have by far the best overall team coming in."

AT A GLANCE
WHAT - 11th annual Hernando County Boys Weightlifting Championship Meet.
WHO - Defending champion Spring Hill-Springstead, 4-time county champ Brooksville-Central, Brooksville-Hernando and Brooksville-Nature Coast Technical.
WHERE - Springstead High's gymnasium.
WHEN - Weighins are at 2:30 p.m. Meet is scheduled to begin at approximately 3:15 p.m.
AT STAKE - Top lifter in each of the 10 weight divisions is feted as county champion and there will be a first-place team trophy awarded.

Final 2008 Hernando County Boys Weightlifting Meet Results
PL SCHOOL PTS
1. Springstead (SPG) 57
2. Central (CEN) 43
2. Hernando (HER) 34
4. Nature Coast Technical (NCT) 25

Past Hernando County Boys Weightlifting Championships
YEAR TEAM POINTS
1999 Central NA
2000 Central NA
2001 Central NA
2002 Springstead 42.0
2003 Hernando 42.0
2004 Springstead 53.0
2005 Hernando 55.0
2006 Springstead 50.0
2007 Central 50.0
2008 Springstead 57.0

2008 10th annual Hernando County Championship Meet Individual Results
(Top 5 featuring bench, clean & jerk and total weight lifted. Points awarded 6-4-3-2-1 basis)
119 - 1. Z. Magrini** (SPG) 210-160--370, 2. K. Green (NCT) 170-175--345, 3. Durham (HER) 190-150--340, 4. Rossicoe (SPG) 130-125--255, 5. Rogers-Wolsky (CEN) 130-115--245.
129 - 1. Decene (SPG) 200-185--385, 2. Baldoni (CEN) 190-165--355, 3. Aubin (CEN) 190-145--335, 4. Preskop (NCT) 105-90--195.
139 - 1. S. Sullivan** (SPG) 255-205--460, 2. Day (HER) 225-175--400, 3. Dahn (CEN) 205-175--380, 4. Elkins (HER) 200-165--365, 5. Jackson (NCT) 180-175--355.
154 - 1. Nelson (SPG) 255-205--460, 2. Feuillebois (SPG) 240-205--445, 3. Taylor (HER) 225-180--405, 4. McNeal (CEN) 215-190--405, 5. McCarty (NCT) 215-165--380.
169 - 1. B. Smith (HER) 305-260--565, 2. Busiere (SPG) 275-205--480, 3. Chad Walker (CEN) 265-215--475, 4. Caphart (SPG) 255-205--460, 5. Huang (NCT) 235-210--445.
183 - 1. McGee (HER) 300-280--580, 2. Chase Walker (CEN) 290-215--505, 3. Jang (CEN) 290-205--495, 4. Pelaez (NCT) 255-230--485, 5. Wozniak (SPG) 265-215--480.
199 - 1. Gomez (HER) 305-240--545, 2. Miceli (CEN) 275-235--510, 3. Wilson (SPG) 285-225--510, 4. Adams (NCT) 285-215--500, 5. Wright (CEN) 255-225--480.
219 - 1. Delgado (SPG) 330-260--590, 2. Marks (CEN) 235-240--475, 3. May (CEN) 260-205--465, 4. Ellison (NCT) 235-215--450, Mahla (SPG) 240-175--415.
238 - 1. Schafer (SPG) 295-280--575, 2. Brazeau (CEN) 300-275--575, 3. Flowers (CEN) 280-220--500, 4. Myrick (NCT) 250-230--480, 5. Bailey (SPG) 215-210--425.
HWT - 1. JJ Baker (NCT) 340-265--605, 2. Hines (HER) 335-225--560, 3. Quinones (SPG) 300-220--520, 4. Grier (CEN) 260-240--500, 5. Caldwell (NCT) 315-185--500.
** Denotes repeat champion