Regional Champions Team. (Submitted photo)

The Cowgirl Weightlifting team finished with a perfect season! They won every meet they competed in including District 8 Champions and Regional 15 Champions. They competed against bigger schools and represented LaBelle very well.

Cowgirls that moved on to Regional competition were: Alondra Reyna, Alexus Higginbotham, Babi Galdamez, Ruby Figueroa, Gia Cruz, Alexia Guzman, Angelica Cuellar, Emily Juarez, Daisy Carachure, Miriam Ruiz, Maria Coto, Mercedes Garcia, Jenna McClain, Yesenia Gomez, Esmeralda Hernandez, Dominiquez O’Neal, Macy Martinez, Jennifer Perle, and Myra Madrid.

Cowgirls that qualified for 1A State Competition were: Angelica Cuellar winning her 129 pound weight class at Regionals, and Mercedes Garcia and Jenna McClain in the 169 weight class.

State competition was held Friday, February 2nd at Panama City Beach. Angelica Cuellar lifted in the first flight and finished with a 155 pound bench and 165 clean and jerk. She placed 3rd at the State meet, representing LaBelle in an outstanding manner. Angelica is a Senior lifter for the Cowgirls and her leadership, talent, and desire will be missed next year!

Mercedes Garcia finished her state competition breaking a new school record for the clean and jerk with 160 pounds. She finished a respectful 16th place out of the whole state of Florida for 169. Mercedes is also a Senior lifter and her leadership, team spirit, and work ethic will be greatly missed.

Jenna McClain was the only Freshman LaBelle has sent to state competition in an individual sport. She was also the only Freshman in her weight class competing against mostly seniors. She had the second highest bench, finishing with 165 pounds. She struggled with clean and jerk, but finished tied for 7th in state with her total of 305, but officially placed 10th. Being a freshman, with this type of experience, we look for great things with her in the next three years.

Boys weightlifting season is now going strong, please come support the sport. Caleb Rimes Invitational for LHS Boys will be Saturday, March 3 at 10 a.m. in the LHS Gym. Admission is $5.