Timber Creek’s successful Girl’s weight training program.
By Gabrielle Fouche
Timber Creek’s Girls’ weightlifting Team is a 5-time Metro Champion and 4-time District Champion. As the season comes to a close, around half of the team advances to districts where they go up against skilled competitors from all around Florida. The Influx of girls joining weightlifting this year increases the talent and ability to win not only this year but for years to come. One of the coaches, Mrs. Kretzer, shared, “It just shows that more girls are challenging themselves to do new things and that means more girls challenging themselves beyond just school.”
Weightlifting goes beyond just physical strength. Senior Ashlee Coronado, who has been lifting since 8th grade, said it is mostly “a mental game.” Weight training pushes you beyond your physical limits but also defies what you think you can do. One of the captains, Junior Mikayla Rodriguez explained, “The fear of failure takes a toll on her confidence but throughout it, I’ve learned that I can always come back from it.” Mrs. Kretzer also conveyed “It brings me great joy when they push themselves beyond what they think they can do. It doesn’t even matter if they win but, when they push themselves, it makes me proud.” This builds mental toughness that these women can take wherever they go.
The Girls’ Weightlifting program focuses not only on the building of muscles and skills but character as well. Many of the girls learn perseverance, determination, and good sportsmanship. Numerous girls train countless hours outside of practice hours to achieve the goals they set for themselves. This sport is also different from others because of the great sportsman-like character not only from Timber Creek’s team but even from other competitors. Rodriguez played several different sports over the years and said, “You won’t find many rival schools cheering on their competition in other sports, so I think it is extraordinary.” Coronado shared that the “comradery on the team is something that she will miss. Just the shared feeling that everyone is in the same boat and shares the same struggles means so much to me.”
Many people also have negative views of women being in a male-dominant sport. Some of the girls have had experiences with men belittling them or making rude remarks. Rodriguez finds it empowering. “Many males doubt the capabilities of us females and when we are on our platforms doing our best, I am constantly seeing guys stunned at what we lift,” she said. This is just beginning to change the stigma behind girls’ weightlifting. Another reason why this team is successful is because of the coaching behind the scenes. Mrs Kretzer has been coaching this team for about 2 years and said, “The coaching staff over the years has been outstanding and the coaches who have come in over the years have kept that high standard. And with the girls seeing that success it gives them motivation to continue to be great.”
Big Pull. Getting ready to go into a Jerk, junior Mikayla Rodriguez is holding her clean position at a Metro Competition. This is a critical time in your lift. Usually, Coaches tell their athletes to hold this position to catch your breath and get ready for your jerk. Holding this position for too long can also lead to overthinking and tiredness. Rodriguez said, “While my passion for this sport is a major factor in my motivation to keep lifting, I have to say my family and friends are my biggest motivators and supporters.” Photo donated