Coming into the season with high hopes, the boys weightlifting team first competed Feb. 11 at University High School. They took care of business at the meet and won, crushing their competition. However, the Wolves had their hands full Feb. 18 against their rival lifters, the Colonial High School Grenadiers.
The grenadiers had some of the best lifters at the meet. They were a solid team across the board. But they also had some Wolves to worry about. Senior Aaron Carr is a returning all-area lifter from the previous year, who is not only one of the best weightlifters in Orlando, but in the state of Florida.
“It’s hard work and dedication. It’s blood, sweat, and tears. I didn’t wake up one day able to bench press over 300 pounds. I had to work my butt off, and now that I’m one of the best in the state it feels gratifying,” said Carr.
The blood, sweat, and tears paid dividends as Carr lifted the most at the meet. However, in the end, the Wolves did not lift as much, losing by a total of 14 points. “It’s tough to lose. You work so hard for the results and when you come up short it stays with you a little bit,” said Coach Timothy Crawford. “I slept two hours last night. I don’t take the losing lightly. Hopefully we’ll get them again later in the season.”
Colonial has a good team. The loss is something for the Wolves to contemplate, but not worry about. Wolves are strong. With wrestling season ending and the team getting reinforcements, the boys should have the strength to push through and out-lift their opponents the rest of the season.