Lecanto High School Girl's Weightlifting

Student Writer - Mady Hoppe

Lecanto High School (LHS) celebrated the seniors on the girl’s weightlifting team on Monday, January 6 while they went against Weeki Wachee High School. There are currently 19 committed and focused seniors on the team. Some have been in weightlifting since they were freshman, while other seniors have joined the team this school year.

Ava Rueck is one weightlifter who won the state championship during her junior year. She loves her coaches and is friends with many of her teammates. Motivation is kept knowing there are always to get better and lift more weight.

“I've been involved in weightlifting for 4 years. In those 4 years, my favorite moment was talking with Mrs. Wyatt while warming up for clean and jerk at States. In addition, I am proud of winning States my junior year,” Ava Rueck, senior, said.

An important thing in weightlifting is the friends who are also teammates. Some of the seniors who are new to the team like Hillary Smith joined because a lot of her friends are in the sport. The girls are close and encourage each other to be their best. Overall, the team has a positive environment full of upliftment.

“I have been involved in [weightlifting] for 4 years. I joined weightlifting because two of my very close friends Ava Rueck and Meera Patel were joining it so I thought I would try and I also did for more endurance for track and field,” Jiselle Broughton, senior, said.

In weightlifting there is always improvement being made with how much a person can lift. Starting out can be a challenge because the bar used alone weighs 45 pounds. These girl’s work on their strength almost everyday. With their training and dedication, they can see quick progress.

“Back during my freshman year, I started off with the bar, I was unable to even barely lift the bar. I was only 88 pounds. I cleaned and jerked my first tens by the end of freshman year. Since then, I can now snatch and clean and jerk my body weight plus more. Not only have I improved physically, but this sport has been the best thing I’ve ever done to improve my mental [health],” Elizabeth Graff, senior, said.

The coaches, Brandy Wyatt and Wesley Wyatt, are proud of the girls as they fight against societal norms. They help the girl’s when they are struggling and create a supportive environment. Their coaching creates confidence and motivation for the team even when one of the girls is not feeling the best.

“While society tells us we have to look and act a certain way, these girls show her that being smart and strong, and kind and supportive is more important than anything else. We really love these ladies like our own and can't wait to see what they accomplish in their futures,” Brandy Wyatt, assistant girl’s weightlifting coach, said.