Suncoast High School Girls Weightlifting goes to FHSAA State Championships

I’ve had the pleasure of working with the Suncoast High School girls weightlifting team for the past 4 years. During those years we’ve seen some big changes to the sport of FHSAA Weightlifting.

The first two seasons I was involved with this program the lifts contested were Bench Press and Clean & Jerk, this is combination of Powerlifting and Olympic Weightlifting is specific to Florida High Shcool Athletics Association, and up until just a few years ago both lifts were completed on a mens 45lb bar.

In the 2020/2021 season the Snatch was implemented as a third traditional lift, and female lifters were allowed to use 35lb women’s bars that have a smaller circumference.

This most recent season allowed for two divisions, athletes could compete in Olympic (Snatch and Clean & Jerk) and/or Traditional (Bench Press and Clean & Jerk).

Each year our team has been able to send a handful of kids all the way to State championships, this year we sent three, all of them competed in Olympic and Traditional.

All three girls were Juniors who I’ve been able to work with since they’re freshman year, and are no strangers to State Championship competition.

Nicollete competed in the 129lb weight class and finished top 10 in both divisions, finishing with a best Snatch of 105lbs, best Clean Jerk of 160lbs, and best Bench Press of 130lbs. In the Snatch had some close misses at 110, we’ve made some big technical changes in the last few weeks and while it has improved her lifting, the new movement patterns were still not 100% set in stone. She opened in the Clean & Jerk at 150lbs, had a slight pressout at 155lbs and decided to hit a PR she’s been chasing all season and crushed a 160lb Clean & Jerk.

Anna competed in the 110lb weight class, weighting less than all of the other competitors. She had an amazing day of lifting making all of her attempts. Finishing the Snatch with a 130lb lift for a 5lb PR, 150lb Clean & Jerk for an 8lb PR, and 120lb Bench Press for a 5lb PR. Anna had the highest total in her class heading in to the day and got 2nd in olympic by 5lbs and 6th in traditional. I’m super proud of the courage she showed chasing after big weights and how coachable she was in the warm up room.

Angelina finished out our day in the 154lb weight class. Angelina made 2 out of 3 Snatches matching her best at 145lbs. She had an amazing Clean & Jerk day hitting 180lbs, 185lbs, and hitting a new PR at 190lbs. This was enough for a 4th place finish. In traditional she made all three bench press attempts at 140lbs 145lbs, and 150lbs, good enough for 6th place!

Each of these athletes improved their total, and their placement since last year. 3 top 10 finishes is something for the whole school and team to be proud.

For some of these girls we shift gears in to focusing on the Olympic Weightlifting season to prepare for USAWeightlifting Youth and Junior National Championships, while some participate in spring sports.

Either way I’m a proud coach and very excited for their senior year!