Sydney Oostendorp – Mustangs Ahead

(LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL) – The varsity girls weightlifting team competed in the Class 3A District 11 Championship Saturday at Sunlake High School.

There were 22 Mustangs competing for a chance of becoming a district champion who participated in this meet.

After over 150 student-athletes had completed their lifts and the awards were announced.

A total of 10 lifters met the qualification in order to qualify for the FHSAA Regional Championship this Thursday.

The list includes –

  • Gabbie Hotaling
  • Ava Horne
  • Madison Vassallo
  • Alex Layrisse
  • Reese Messal
  • Eliana Hofling
  • Alexis Rissler
  • Vanessa Sellmer
  • Camila Pizarro
  • Abby Mitchell

Although the LRHS’s team did not place, many girls received individual awards.

Olympic Category-

  • Alexis Rissler – Second Place
  • Vanessa Sellmer – Fourth Place
  • Madison Vassallo – Fourth Place
  • Gabbie Hotaling – Fifth Place
  • Ava Horne – Sixth Place
  • Alex Layrisse – Sixth Place
  • Abby Mitchell – Sixth Place

Traditional Category-

  • Alexis Rissler – Second Place
  • Vanessa Sellmer – Fourth Place
  • Gabbie Hotaling – Fifth Place
  • Eliana Hofling – Sixth Place
  • Abby Brandt – Sixth Place
  • Reese Messal – Sixth Place

Freshman Alexis Rissler was runner up district champion in the Olympic and traditional categories and a qualifier for regionals.

“I am going into regionals with very little expectations, I do not know what to expect, but I have hope for making it to states, that’s the goal,” Rissler said.

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The FHSAA Regional Championship is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 2 at Charlotte High School.

LRHS girls weightlifting coach Elijah Weaver said, “I am extremely proud of the way our girls stepped on to the platform and gave it their best. We are in a very tough and challenging district this year and I believe being in their district will make us work harder to have more girls qualify for next year.”