Hagerty girls weightlifting crushes Lake Mary

This article is brought to you by Hagerty High School’s student-run newspaper, The Blueprint, through a partnership with Oviedo Community News called the Cub Reporter Program, which seeks to amplify young journalists’ work and their service to the community. You can also find this article on The Blueprint’s website.

The room was quiet as junior Alyssa Gutierrez grabbed the bar and with one swift movement, lifted the 125 pounds over her head. Junior Makenzie Ruping ran over and jumped on her, giving her a hug as she hit her new personal record. 

Many members of the girls weightlifting team hit personal records on the way to a 58-34 defeat of Lake Mary on Nov. 13 and are hoping to continue their winning streak throughout the season.

Weightlifting athletes add scores from two different types of lifts: the snatch and the clean and jerk.

Hagerty swept the 183-pound weight class, with Isabella Cruz placing first and Alexis Williamson taking second.

Ruping placed first in the 101-pound weight class. “It felt amazing and it was so exciting to go out to celebrate after,” Ruping said.

Gutierrez’ previous record in snatch was 90 pounds and her clean and jerk was 120. This meet she beat both by 5 pounds.

“It actually felt really easy to do, and I was so excited after. It felt amazing to do,” said Gutierrez, who is in the 110-pound weight class.

Cruz’s max snatch personal record is 115 pounds and her clean and jerk max is 155. She placed second during the matchup.

“I have hope that I will continue my hard work next meet,” Cruz said.

The girls weightlifting team is in the middle part of the season, looking forward to senior night as a highlight of their season. Last year, the girls won double titles as district and regional champs, winning the Olympic lift category. They followed that with seventh place at the state meet last year, and the team this year is looking forward to a strong second half of the season and a repeat of their postseason success.