MARATHON’S MIKKEL ROSS BRINGS HOME THE WEIGHTLIFTING HARDWARE

Justice Lee and Valerie Thene Crack Top 10

Four Fins, a pair of ’Canes and a Conch headed to Lakeland on Feb. 18 to compete in the FHSAA state championships in girls weightlifting. Marathon’s Justice Lee took eighth place in both the traditional and Olympic style lifts. The freshman has shown steady improvement all season and looks to be a contender for the next three years. Key West’s Valerie Thene finished one place shy of a medal, coming in seventh place in Olympic lifts. The senior also cracked the top 10 in traditional lifts, finishing ninth.

One Keys lifter managed to beat the odds and a late season funk in order to bring home a state medal last weekend. Marathon’s Mikkel Ross was able to regroup after what she called a disappointing showing at regionals to put up personal best lifts in bench and clean and jerk.

The 275-pound total was good enough to secure the FHSAA 1A fifthplace medal in traditional lifts, with Ross coming up just 5 pounds shy of a three-way tie for third place at 280 pounds. She also finished just one place from a medal in Olympic lifts.

Ross attributed the successful showing to a positive mindset, ignoring others’ totals to focus on herself.

“(I was) just having fun instead of stressing out,” she said. “I just went up to the weights and didn’t think twice about it. I just threw them up.”

Ross is not new to overcoming adversity. The junior began lifting weights more seriously just over a year ago while recovering from knee surgery. Within a year, she was back on the cross country course, making a state appearance with the Lady Fins – her fourth in as many years. A distance specialist, Ross also has speed – and, clearly, strength.

She will not have much time to revel in her success. After missing the first official meet of the spring season, the three-sport athlete will hit the track to compete a few days after returning from Lakeland. For more details about Ross’ amazing accomplishments, listen to the Feb. 23 edition of the Keys Weekly Sports Wrap Podcast.

By: Tracy and Sean McDonald