Arnold seeks third boys state weightlifting title

PANAMA CITY BEACH — Arnold is the hunter and not the hunted for the fourth straight year, and that’s perfectly fine with boys weightlifting coach Bill Thomas.

The Marlins bring 12 lifters to Saturday’s Class 1A state meet in Kissimmee. They seek a third state crown and first since 2007. Standing in their way is three-time defending champion Baker County, which edged Arnold by a single point last season and advanced 14 to state this year.

Arnold missed out on having 14 qualifiers as two were beaten out by the lifter weight tiebreaker. Lighter body weights are given the edge when the totals from the bench and clean and jerks are identical. Still, Thomas is confident in the 12 who will compete.

“We are kinda where we were in 2006,” Thomas said. “Jacksonville Bolles was the big gun then, they were the frontrunner and we went in there and had a really good meet.

“That’s what we have to do this time. We have to have a really good meet and go for it a little bit. This time it’s more laid back. People aren’t gunning for you, you are gunning for them and I like that.”

Thomas believes all 12 Marlins can medal by placing in the Top 6 and earn points toward a team title. The group is led by 119-pounder Joel Ensminger, who enters as the top seed in the division with a 225-pound bench, 210-pound clean and jerk and 435 total. He is the lone individual title contender with Darius Smedley seeded second at 129, but trailing favorite Rakeem Bess of North Marion by 75 pounds.

The lack of many individual champions won’t dampen overall chances, however, with the goal of reaching the magical 30 points or more.

“I think if we go down there and do what we can do then we can score over 30 points,” Thomas said. “No one has ever scored 30 and finished second, and if we do that and they outscore us then good for them.”

Other high seeds include Blake DeBoard and Sebastian Monroe at Nos. 5 and 6, respectively at 183, and district champions Danny Anderson and Seung Jin Lee, both No. 5 at 199 and 219.

Other Arnold competitors are Devante Showers (119), Andrew McKelvie (129), Joseph Kibbe (139), Joey Green (139), Chase Russell (199) and Caleb Clayton-Molby (219).

The group has improved since postseason meets, Thomas said, and he believes they will represent Arnold well this weekend. They are all part of a long line of successful lifters at the school that have placed the Marlins as one of the best programs in not only the Panhandle but in the state.

“When we started in 2006 and made the first run we wanted to be what Spruce Creek was in the 80s,” Thomas said. “You always knew there’s a team you have to contend with and we are that team and that’s what we want to be.”

Aside from Arnold, Blountstown has the most qualifiers in the area with six. The Tigers, who won the 2003 Class 1A state title, is led by Chaz Fain, who is the top seed at 154.

Altha is sending four lifters and Wewahitchka two. The Gators feature 169-pound top seed Colton Price.

Rutherford sends Nick Grant (154), Bay Ka’Ron Harris (238), Port St. Joe Chad Clark (heavyweight) and Chipley qualified Garrett Enfinger (heavyweight).

Mosley’s Eddie San Juan (139) and Tyler Williams (154) will compete in the Class 2A meet on Friday, also in Kissimmee.

Area state qualifiers

Class 1A

• Arnold: Joel Ensminger (119), Devante Showers (119), Darius Smedley (129), Andrew McKelvie (129), Joseph Kibbe (139), Joey Green (139), Blake DeBoard (183), Sebastian Monroe (183), Danny Anderson (199), Chase Russell (199), Seung jin Lee (219), Caleb Clayton-Molby (219).
• Blountstown: Hunter Jones (119), Jawon Mosley (139), Chaz Fain (154), Chris Byrne (154), Ryan Hathcox (169), Dowling Lee (238).
• Altha: Ronnie Tucker (119), Trevor Wriston (129), Caleb Chew (154), Dakota Lynn (183)
• Wewa: Jacob Taylor (119), Colton Price (169)
• Rutherford: Nick Grant (154)
• Bay: Ka’Ron Harris (238)
• Port St. Joe: Chad Clark (hwt.)
• Chipley: Garrett Enfinger (hwt.)

Class 2A

• Mosley: Eddie San Juan (139), Tyler Williams (154)