By By Tim Cottrell
Teenage boys at Northview High School beware: these girls are no pushover.
The girl's weightlifting team at Northview recently travelled to Niceville, Fla. to compete in the regional meet. The competition featured teams from all over the Panhandle of Florida, reaching all the way to Leon County (Tallahassee).
The meet also held no classifications, so the Lady Chiefs, a 2A school in Florida, faced off against numerous 4A and 5A schools.
"It was tough being such a small school against all these big teams," Northview senior Cassie Godwin said. "We only had six people there, and one was an alternate. Most of the teams had 20 or so."
Coach Keri Payne has seen a lot of progress in the Northview weightroom. However, she also notices some things that will need to change.
"When we first started this three years ago I had three people come out," Payne said. "Last year we had seven participating, and this year we doubled that."
"But a lot of these teams we were playing had girls that weight-train year round, and most of our girls don't do that. They'll train for volleyball or softball and with this, but come summer they're done. I was still happy to compete so well with the ones that do, though."
Many of the girls recognized the benefits of weightlifting.
"This is my first year lifting weights," said Stephanie Covan. "I've really noticed a difference just since starting."
Camden Loncar, the alternate for the meet, echoed Covan's sentiments.
"It was really exciting making it this far as a freshman," Loncar said. "I feel a lot stronger now."
Payne also noted that the weightlifting is not only helpful in weightlifting competition, it also helps with other sports as well.
"A lot of our girls play softball and volleyball," Payne said. "Coach Day (the head softball coach at Northview – Payne is an assistant) is really encouraging his girls to get in weight training, and I'm encouraging my volleyballers to do the same. I expect to have 24 or so come out next year."
The meet was divided up into weight classes, here are the finishes for the Lady Chiefs.
Hannah Gunter – 7th place in 110 lb. weight class.
Stephanie Covan – 10th place in 119 lb. weight class.
Rachel Killam – 11th place in 129 lb. weight class.
Cassie Godwin – 11th place in 139 lb. weight class.
Amber Cutts – 11th place in 149 lb. weight class.