Girl power: South Florida high school weightlifting teams bring home top marks

Two South Florida high school weightlifting teams have made history, bringing home top marks in this weekend’s state championships.

Leer en español

The Florida High School Athletic Association held its annual State Championship for Girls Weightlifting in Lakeland, Florida at the RP Lending Center on Saturday, Feb. 15.

Doctors Charter School, coached by Randal Morales, Paul Behar and Andrew Dodds, won their first State Runner Up Trophy in the Olympic Category (Snatch & Clean and Jerk).

“This is probably one of the best teams I’ve coached as far as team cohesiveness, dedication and accountability. A lot of their success is due in part to their athletic director Andrew Dodds,” said Coach Morales.

Marathon High School, coached Jessie Schubert and Michelle James, won their first state runner up trophy in the Traditional category (Clean and Jerk & Bench Press). Three other girls on the Marathon High School team also earned three medals.

Keys Gate High School, coached by Chris Kim had an athlete medal.

Coral Shores High School, coached by Erin Hamilton, had two girls medal.

In Class 2A Archbishop McCarthy High School in Southwest Ranches coached by Heidi Bowser, had two girls bring home medals over the weekend.

As a collective of South Florida teams, Marathon High School in Marathon, Coral Shores in Tavernier, Doctors Charter School in Miami Shores, Keys Gate in Homestead and Archbishop McCarthy High School in Southwest Ranches brought 20 plus athletes to compete.

According to Coach Morales, before the COVID pandemic only six teams existed across South Florida, from Broward County to the Florida Keys. The teams have since doubled in the last three years with more girls earning medals and a spot in the state championships, dating all the way back to 2000.