Noury: A nearly perfect season

In 2010, Springstead's Armando Noury was on no one's athletic radar.

That's what happens when any student/athlete does not value his work inside the classroom. You see, athletes don't get a chance to participate when you carry a 1.40 grade point average.

Student/athletes these days must have at least a 2.0 GPA to perform.

But the 5-foot-8, 186-pounder rededicated himself to his passion - the weight room - but more importantly reintroduced himself to his schoolwork.

Not only did Noury become eligible to compete for the Eagles weightlifting team, he accomplished enough with his class load that he'll graduate on time next week at Booster Stadium with over 400 of his classmates.

For his efforts, county coaches and the Hernando Today staff feted Noury as Lifter of the Year.

Noury 101

The stockily built Noury was born in New Hampshire and was adopted by Spring Hill's Michelle Noury. Michele's oldest son is Ben Noury, who was a multi-sport student-athlete at SHS, now plays football for the Division I Brown University Bears.

The Nourys have resided in Hernando County for six years.

After relocating to Florida, Armando attended Powell Middle School and played basketball as a seventh-grader and football as an eighth-grader. He wasn't a standout in either sport.

After matriculating to the Mariner Boulevard campus of SHS, Noury played jayvee football as a freshman before gravitating to the Eagle weight room as a sophomore.

As a first-year lifter he had moderate success, finishing as high as county runner-up at 169 pounds - some 50 pounds behind champion Steve Sullivan of Springstead (550-500).

Once Noury got a return on his investment in the weight room he got hooked.

"I love football, but my favorite sport is weightlifting. It has something to with striving to achieve on a personal level," noted Noury. "It's so satisfying. You can see the improvement every day. I love the burn you get.

"I was fortunate to get involved with the sport. I came into it naturally strong," recalled Noury. "I was watching some of the other kids doing bench presses and then when I tried it, I always beat their totals. I kinda stood out."

When did the drive for states begin?

"As a sophomore, I did the sport but I was satisfied with my totals. I didn't realize then how lazy I was. I thought I was something to the average kid," Noury said. "Then James (Wozniak) kinda took me under his wing. If I lifted, he lifted. He helped me with my technique. And he helped me change my diet, too."

"After working with Woz, I realized I had the tools to be an elite lifter, but I had to work much harder," insisted Noury.

That's when Noury joined a local gym and began working out religiously. To pay for the gym, he began working weekends at the nearby Breakfast Club restaurant in Seven Hills. He's worked there for two years.

Problem was, according to Noury, "I let my grades slip. It's embarrassing, but my GPA sank to a 1.4. I couldn't even go out for the team (in 2010)."

After bottoming out, Noury said, " I was motivated even more to not only graduate, but graduate on time. I found out, I couldn't do one thing (like hitting the books) without it impacting the other (working out in the weight room). I realized I had to pick up the pace and quickly."

The transformation

Not only did Noury become eligible for his senior campaign - he became nearly bulletproof.

He earned his initial varsity win in the season opener against Lecanto with a whopping 600-pound total. Noury easily outdistanced teammate Chris Lamb by 80 pounds.

Next at Fivay, against the Falcons and River Ridge, Noury again won but "struggled" dipping to a 560 total.

Against first-year Weeki Wachee, SHS Head Coach Mike Garofano did not utilize Noury. He returned fresh in a tri-meet sweep over Hernando and Central with a first-place 590 total.

In the county meet, Noury blossomed. In front of the home crowd and every local opponent, Noury not only stretched the win skein to four in a row, he captured the weight class by 165 pounds behind an eye-popping 630-pound total.

Noury followed up his blue-ribbon performance at the county meet by winning Springstead's lone 2A-4 title in Spring Hill with a 620 total.

Two weeks later at the 2A State Finals in Kissimmee, Noury finally lost - albeit on a tiebreaker.

He and Seminole Ridge's Eric Strickland tied with a 640-pound total. But since Strickland weighed in 1 1/2 pounds less, he walked away with the gold medal.

How did Noury react to coming so close to becoming Springstead's second-ever state champion?

"Honestly, I did well that day, but a day doesn't go by without me thinking about it. I feel I could have done better. I had a great day on the bench," recalled Noury. "Maybe I got too comfortable with myself in the two weeks leading up to states. That day never goes away. I've got that silver medal draped over my bedroom door."

Being the highest state finisher led to Noury's selection as Hernando County Lifter of the Year.

"He's (Noury) at a level you want all your lifters at," pointed out NCT Head Coach Mark Nash. "The kid's driven. You can see it in his eyes and his approach. He's focused when he's out there. He was absolutely at the top of his game.

"You always want your athletes, no matter what the sport is, to take something forward based on their best efforts," added Nash. "Noury gave it his best and sometimes that's not good enough. But it's a life lesson. It's something to help mold your character."

"Noury did well in the county and district meets. His selection (as Lifter of the Year) was a no-brainer," said Hernando Head Coach Shawn Bingham. "That kid busted his butt all season long. He had a goal and nearly achieved it."

"I was shocked when I heard the news," said Noury. "Lifter of the Year is fantastic, especially because there are so many good kids out there. Who's to say there's someone who is not better? The biggest thing is being recognized by the coaches. It's nice to know all that hard work I put in did not go unnoticed."

Giving thanks

Noury wanted to specifically thanks some folks for his tremendous season.

"My brother Ben has always inspired me. He always had that desire. Living in the same house with a guy who excelled in school and sports kinda showed me I could do it, too," shared Noury.

"And I can't thank Woz enough," added Noury. "He showed me the road ahead. There's something to be said about getting better with someone right there pushing you."

"And Coach Garf (Garofano) is a great coach. He was always happy to show me new form," recalled Noury. "I don't know what he saw in me. But I'm so glad he stuck with me."

What's ahead?

Noury plans to enroll after graduation at Pasco-Hernando Community College. He's torn between a possible career as a emergency medical technician (EMT) or maybe a firefighter.

What advice would Noury give to aspiring weightlifters?
"Even if you weigh 90 pounds, if you have the right heart and mindset, you can put in the time and be successful," he said. "Don't let anyone say you can't do it. And don't lower your goals.

"Other kids ask me all the time, 'What does it take to get to my level?'" noted Noury. "I tell them the truth. There are no shortcuts to success. If you want it, you've got to go out and take it. This year was such an adventure; it's one I'll never forget."

By the Numbers: Springstead's Armando Noury
- Compiled by TONY CASTRO
OPPONENT WGT BEN C&J TOT
Lecanto 183 345 255 600
Fivay 199 325 235 560
Hernando 199 340 250 590
County 199 365 265 630
District 183 355 265 620
State 183 375* 265 640*
* Denotes school record