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All-Marion County Boys weightlifing team and player of the year finalists from this spring

allen pettigrew jr., ocala star-banner
·2 min read

Rack that weight and get ready for recovery it’s time to look back on our Marion County weightlifters. There was a lot of personal records set as several state finalists made the podium at the state championships.

With a time state champion headlining the 2024 all county team is filled with the strongest athletes in Ocala. Now it’s time to meet these strength powerhouses.

On May 21, every Athlete of the Year winner will be announced at the MESPY's. We won't leave you sitting on the edge of your seat without a teaser. We’re announcing our three finalists with their accolades and feats to hold you over until the big day.

After a long season, it’s time to reward the county’s top performers for their efforts. Below, you’ll find the all-county boys weightlifting team.

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Player of the year finalists

Antwuan Hampton - Senior - North Marion

North Marion junior Antwuan Hampton bites his gold medal after taking first and gold over the weekend in the FHSAA Boys Weightlifting State Championships. He competed in the 238 weight class. Hampton benched 400 pounds and clean and jerked 310 pounds for a total of 710 pounds. He posed with his medal Monday afternoon, April 17, 2023 in the weight room at North Marion High School in Citra, FL. [Doug Engle/Ocala Star Banner]2023

Hampton made a run at history with his second consecutive state title. Hampton went through the regular season undefeated winning ten matches in a row.

He turned up the heat again during the postseason. He captured district and regional titles to fill out his crowded trophy case.

Ethan Shepp - Junior - West Port

Shepp is a mountain of an athlete. West Port's starting offensive lineman doubles as one of the strongest athlete in the state.

Shepp bench pressed, a state season record 470 pounds. Shepp racked up a county championship, district championship, and podium appearances at the regional and state meet.

1st Team All County Boys Weightlifting

119 - Nathan Pedato, West Port - 305 total (150 bench press; 155 C&J)

129 - Shemal Henry, West Port - 375 total (220 bench press; 155 C&J)

139 - Mike Cronmiller, North Marion - 465 total (195 bench press; 270 C&J)

154 - Tyler Klein, Forest - 425 total (205 bench press; 225 C&J)

169 - Seth Crespo, Lake Weir - 450 total (235 bench press; 215 C&J)

183 - Miguel Quintana, Trinity Catholic - 570 total (765 bench press; 295 C&J)

199 - Dylan Donahoe, Dunnellon - 625 total (305 bench press, 320 C&J)

219 - Danny Richeson, Dunnellon - 610 total (310 bench press; 320 C&J)

238 - Antwuan Hampton, North Marion - 695 total (405 benh press; 305 C&J)

UNL - Ethan Shepp, West Port - 725 total (470 bench press; 255 C&J)

Honorable mention

Ethan Dodsworth successfully benches 325 for Belleview High School. The Boys Weightlifting MCIAC Championship was held at Belleview High School in Ocala, FL on Wednesday, March 8, 2023. All seven public high schools took part in the meet. [Doug Engle/Ocala Star Banner]
Ethan Dodsworth successfully benches 325 for Belleview High School. The Boys Weightlifting MCIAC Championship was held at Belleview High School in Ocala, FL on Wednesday, March 8, 2023. All seven public high schools took part in the meet. [Doug Engle/Ocala Star Banner]

Jaiden Adams, West Port; Jeremiah Gibson, West Port; Caleb Walker, West Port; Anthony Reason, Vanguard; Ethan Dodsworth, Trinity Catholic; Zach Baker, North Marion; Matthew Preece, Forest; Eldridge Ray, Belleview; Yazen Abdul-Jawad; Colin Vandergrift, Forest; Gavin Wornken, Forest; RJ Joyner, Forest; TJ Farmer, Vanguard

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Marion County all-county boys weightlifting team, player of the year finalists