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Rose Starts Strong

By LARRY BUGG Tribune correspondent

Published: December 7, 2007

NEW PORT RICHEY - Christal Rose usually has a smile on her face.

Wednesday night, the Ridgewood senior weightlifter had a special reason to flash a 10,000-watt grin.

Rose won the 154-pound class in a tri-meet at River Ridge. She also set a personal record with a 275-pound total. She had a 140-pound bench press and a 135-pound clean and jerk, both personal bests.

"It's a good way to start the season," Rose said. "I was one or two places from going to state last year. It will be a good year. My motivation is to get better and stronger and try to win for the team."

"Christal is a really hard worker," Ridgewood coach Brian Wachtel said. "Her whole personality helps her to be successful. I plan on taking her to state this year."

River Ridge finished first in six of the 10 weight classes and won the meet with 52 points. Ridgewood was second with 40 points and Gulf had 17.

"The girls lifted real well," Knights coach Mike DeGennaro said. "I have a lot of new girls, and they lifted real well tonight. We were missing some of our returning girls today including last year's state medalist Brianna Hooker. The other girls picked up the slack and did real well. I was impressed with a few of my girls.

"Megan Shoun, a freshman and winner of the 199-pound class, never lifted before. Natalie Marenghi, a sophomore winner at 110 pounds, lifted real well. Alex Laton winner of the 183-pound class was playing volleyball not too long ago. Jackie Vukcevic winner at 119 has had a lot of work issues and has had trouble getting to practice. Jessica Diaz winner at 101 pounds did well. I was proud of the way they lifted today. I am looking forward to them improving."

Ridgewood's Candace Eckman took the unlimited class by lifting 120 pounds in the bench press and 115 in the clean and jerk for a 235-pound total.

"Overall, I thought we did well as a team," Wachtel said. "We have a balanced mixture of inexperienced and experienced lifters. We are going to use this meet as a building block."

Gulf coach Steve Franks found there were several pleasant surprises in the performance of his girls.

"Brittney Mayhill was a pleasant surprise," Franks said. "I also had Jordyn Roberts 139 pounds and Ashley Mizrahi 110. I'm just proud of them. We are the smallest team here."

Carmen Figueroa, Franks' top lifter, won the 129-pound class. She had a 150-pound bench press and tied her personal best of 140 in the clean and jerk.

RESULTS

RIVER RIDGE 52, RIDGEWOOD 40, GULF 17

101-Jessica Diaz, (RR) 110 (bench press)-75 (clean and jerk)-185; 110-Natalie Marenghi (RR) 125-95-220; 119-Jackie Vukcevic (RR) 110-80-190; 129-Carmen Figueroa (G) 150-140-290; 139-Lauren Heyman (RW) 130-130-260; 154-Chrystal Rose (RW) 140-135-275; 169-Stephanie Hull (RR) 140-120-260; 183-Alex Laton (RR) 105-95-200; 199-Megan Shoun (RR) 120-100-220; UNL-Candace Eckman (RW) 120-115-235.