Arnold close, but falls short of Class 1A state lifting title
NEW PORT RICHEY — A detailed review of Arnold’s second-place finish in the FHSAA Class 1A boys weightlifting finals probably could turn up a few areas where a state championship could’ve been secured.
But none would be as close as the 169-pound weight class.
Tyler Reeves missed out on an individual state title on Friday and Arnold a team crown when Tavares’ Christopher Kamp completed his third attempt in the clean and jerk to finish first with 640 pounds to Reeves’ 620.
Instead, Arnold came in second for the third year with 21 points, one behind Baker County at River Ridge High School.
“That’s the difference between winning a state championship and not winning a state championship,” Arnold coach Bill Thomas said. “The thing about it, the kid did a good job to get where he was at.”
Arnold’s Joel Ensminger won the team’s only individual state championship at 119 pounds with a bench press of 205 and a clean and jerk of 195. Ensminger went last in the clean and jerk and was able to adjust his weight accordingly.
“He made a great lift with the pressure on him,” Thomas said. “I’m proud of him, really proud of him.”
The Marlins also suffered from extra pounds on the scale.
Four Marlins tied after their lifts but lost positions because ties are broken in each division by individual body weight, lighter lifters ranked higher than their heavier counterparts. Cullen Thompson finished second in the 219-pound weight class with a bench press of 345 pounds and a clean and jerk of 290 for a total of 635. He tied with Baker County’s Cody Wheeler, but Thompson weighed 6.8 pounds more. The same happened to Cody Willows, who lifted 615 pounds to tie with two others, but came in fifth.
At 129 pounds, Alex Mosher finished sixth despite tying LaBelle’s Pedro Deras with 405 pounds. Taylor Reed was seventh despite tying at 555 pounds in the 169-pound weight class.
“It’s as bad as it gets,” Thomas said. “We were really close. Fell just short.”
Bozeman’s Wade Landon was second in the 183-pound weight class with a bench of 320 pounds and clean and jerk of 295.
Two Mosley lifters will compete in the Class 2A finals on Saturday.
Local Class 1A results:
- 119: 1. Joel Ensminger A 205-195 400. 12: Andrew McKelvie A 160-145 305.
- 129: 6. Alex Mosher A 210-195 405. 18. Devante Showers A 200-0 200
- 139: 12. Joseph Kibbie A 225-205 430. 16. Rimon Cotton A 245-0 245
- 154: 13. Dieton West R 225-0 225
- 169: 2. Tyler Reeves A 320-300 620. 7. Taylor Reed A 290-265 555.
- 183: 2. Wade Landon Bz 320-295 615. 15. Nick Smith R 335-0 0.
- 199: 14. Sebastin Monroe A 315-250 565.
- 219: 2. Cullen Thompson A 345-290 635. 5. Cody Willows A 340-275 615.
- 238: 8. Will Bruce A 345-265 610. 17. Ka' Ron Harvis B 315-0 315.
