The Sunlake girls weightlifting team is a fun and hardworking community that many of girls love being a part of. Voluntary practices start in May, and even though it’s voluntary, several girls go practice over the summer, because they’re striving to get better. The whole point of the training for weightlifting is to become stronger. So, the girls do different workouts to build strength and improve technique. The actual weightlifting season doesn’t start until October, which is when practices become mandatory. There’s always an influx of people who show up for the season, because they’re excited to join an accomplished team. In the beginning of the season, the girls start competing at invitationals or small meets that only consist of a couple schools.

This year, the teams first meet took place at Cypress Creek. It was a preseason invitational, and Sunlake placed 3rd in Olympic and 1st in Traditional. They went on to win the Tri Meet at Zephryhills and place 2nd at the Liftsgiving meet at Leesbrug. Senior night was celebrated with their 4th annual Beauty and the Beast competition and they placed 1st overall in both categories. After that, the team competed in a massive meet, Disparti at River Ridge, and they went against some of the best athletes and teams in the state. They tied for 6th in Olympic and 4th in Traditional. When the Conference Championships approached, the girls placed 2nd Overall, and they were excited going into the State Series. Districts was at Manatee, and the girls were 9 time District Champs, a huge accomplishment for them. Regionals was at Saint Cloud Highschool and they placed 4th in Olympic and 2nd in Traditional, with 9 girls going to states. States took place Febuary 16th. Junior Makayla Tankson placed 5th in Olympic and 6th in Traditional, Junior Adia Tomlinson placed 5th in Traditional and Senior Jennifer Estrada placed 4th in Traditional. It was an amazing season.