After last year’s defeating results before Sectionals, the boys’ varsity weightlifting team is back this year and lifting stronger and harder than ever. With 26 grade diverse members on the team this year, the weightlifters are vying for success in each of the 10 weight classes for upcoming sectionals.

Currently at 2-0, the PC weightlifting team will advance together as a team until sectionals, where they will break off into individual performances for their own respected weight class in hopes of winning. Sectionals break down into the top 6 lifters from each weight class competing against each other for the chance of reaching Districts. Team practices will continue five days a week for 1 ½ hours after school, not including the extra time that each dedicated lifter puts in. Despite the change to individual performance, each lifter will still receive the support of their other lifters as they compete against rival schools such as LaBelle High and Boynton Beach School. Both schools are considered to be the “gold standard” in Pine Crest’s Section according to Jeff Rothstein, coach of the Boys Varsity and JV Weightlifting team and Assistant Head of the Middle School.

High hopes ride with junior, Andrew Gomez-Rivera, who is ranked 1^st nationwide in his weight class of 137 lbs. With his self-set rigorous training schedule of 2-5 hours a day, Andrew hopes to beat the record for his weight class of 285 lbs in the clean and jerk. The lift involves pulling a bar to your shoulders from the ground while squatting, and then standing up, which is known as the clean. This move is followed by lifting the bar overhead while moving the feet apart, and then returning the feet to the starting position, which is known as the jerk. Andrew is currently at 275 lbs and believes, along with Coach Rothstein, that he can hit the record in about a month.

Besides the clean and jerk, Andrew can also bench 250 lbs and aims to also beat the record of 260 lbs in his weight class. For his future in weightlifting, Andrew sees himself competing in the international Youth World Slovakia Weightlifting tournament this summer. He also has dreams of competing in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

As with any team, there is more than just one man.  Pine Crest has other outstanding lifters to offer this year such as senior Dwayne Cameron, ranked 4^th in his weight class of 238 lbs, who holds a high chance of making it to sectionals and beyond.  Junior Michael Cibene, ranked 2^nd in his weight class of 183 lbs, also could find himself rising above the others.

Before sectionals, Pine Crest will be competing March 22 and hosting the Pine Crest Invitational tournament March 31 where 2 to 4 schools will be competing against Pine Crest for positions in Sectionals. Let’s all wish the best of luck to Pine Crest’s boy’s weightlifting and team and hope they lift themselves to new heights!