Raider lifters win state championship

Alyssa Jones displays her girls' weightlifting team state championship medal Saturday at the Kissimmee Civic Center. Jones lifted a combined 270 pounds and finished fourth in the 110-pound division to help the Raiders win the school's first-ever team title.

Amanda Friar won the Lady Raiders’ fourth-ever individual weightlifting state championship and helped Navarre win its first team state championship of any kind Saturday in Kissimmee. The senior, who weighed 108.2 pounds at Saturday’s weigh-in, bench-pressed 160 pounds and clean-and-jerked 145 pounds for a combined total of 305 pounds lifted – 20 more than her nearest competition.

For most people, an individual championship would be enough. But, there was no joy for Friar or the rest of the team as they sat together on the bleachers at the Kissimmee Civic Center with first-year coach Garrett Bagley. The girls had traveled to Kissimmee on Feb. 9 with a singular goal: a team championship. After scoring just a single point in the morning session, the Raiders were sure they had lost to two-time defending champion Spruce Creek again, as they had each of the past two years. Each was wondering what they could they have done differently to increase their score.

Bagley tried to console them. He told them, win or lose, they had given their all. He couldn’t ask any more of them. He could not be more proud.

After the individual medals were distributed, the team totals were announced, starting with fifth-place Sebastian River. Gainesville took fourth place and Timber Creek was third. The girls knew Navarre would be called next.

But the announcer did not call them. Instead, it was Spruce Creek that finished in second place with 23 points. Suddenly, the Raiders on the bleachers began to hug each other. Some started jumping up and down. Tears were flowing. Finally they heard the announcer say, “In first place, with 24 points, NAVARRE.”

For the complete story, see the Feb. 14 issue of the Navarre Press or subscribe online.