Lake Wales head weightlifting coach Tashawn Williams’ squad didn’t have the results he wanted to accomplish in state as he normally does. But after a dominating year leading up to state and experiencing some peaks and valleys against the state’s best competition, it was time to continue his life’s work: the process of building confidence in Polk County lifters that should lead to lifting at a high level.
This, however, can be very difficult and sometimes an overwhelming process, which is why Williams developed a unique workout cycle for his lifters ahead of the 2026 USA National Championships in Colorado Springs this past week. And as a result, several of Lake Wales’ lifters dazzled. Other Polk County lifters impressed, as well.
Here are the following results for Lake Wales: Armando Gonzalez placed fifth in the U15 division thanks to lifting 65KG; Graden Tempone finished eighth in U17 thanks to executing a lift of 94KG; Riley Gramlich placed 13th in the U17 women’s division thanks to lifting 58KG; Hanna Brown managed 11th place in U17 women’s with a lift of 77KG; Juliana Zenteno had 11th place thanks to lifting 77KG; Kierra Cooper etched 15th in U17 with a lift of 77 KG; and Mia Brown was ninth in snatch.
“(I’m) extremely proud. I can’t say enough about this group. I love them and it’s (an) honor to coach them every day,” Williams said.
Lake Gibson, Winter Haven weightlifting impresses
Lake Gibson head weightlifting Daniel Hargrove also echoed some of those same sentiments about his team. He brought four lifters to the tournament in Colorado Springs.
State qualifier Zachary Griffin was fourth in the U17 division thanks to his 60KG finish. He also had third place in the clean and jerk. Griffin attempted to break the national record with a 110KG clean and jerk, but he just missed the snatch.
Landyn Conrad had a fourth-place finish in the U17 division with a 94KG execution. He set a Pacific Northwest record with a 91 KG snatch.
Micah Pointer in U17 had a 79KG finish but did not place due to an injury he sustained during a clean and jerk attempt. Still, he finished all attempts and set a personal record.
And Zyon Davis placed fourth in the junior division with a lift of 60KG.
“I am very proud of all the lifters. This has been a long time dream of mine when I started coaching weightlifting,” Hargrove said. “To take kids from Florida to the same place that our Olympic teams train and lift at is such an amazing moment.”
Winter Haven head weightlifting coach Renard Ellis also had an amazing moment watching his lifter, Rylee Miller, place 14th in the U17 women’s division thanks to racking up 58KG.
“I’m extremely proud of each and every one of them. Weightlifting teaches you so much and helps one grow in all aspects of life,” Ellis said.
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Polk County high school weightlifters dazzle at nationals
Reporting by Robert Magobet, Lakeland Ledger / The Ledger
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Robert Magobet, Lakeland Ledger | USA TODAY Network
