Weightlifting is technically an individual sport, but the Pace Patriots have made it a team sport, and that has paid off big time.
Pace won its first boys state championship since 2021 on April 19 at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland.
For three area small school weightlifters, their 2024 season ended on the biggest stage Saturday.
Jay’s Matthew Hendricks and Chase Dooley, along with Central’s Corbin James, competed at the FHSAA 1A state weightlifting meet at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland.
Bryson Brown tied for first last year at the FHSAA 3A state weightlifting meet but had to settle for second after weighing more than his opponent.
The junior Milton Panther wasn’t about to be denied a second time Friday at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland.
Kendall Ballou hugged several of his weightlifting teammates during Pace’s championship celebration Friday evening at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland.
Ballou, a senior, was overcome with emotion as he and the other Patriots savored the thrill of sweeping the FHSAA 3A Olympic and traditional titles.
Riley Kirby is playing one last lacrosse season at Alabama-Huntsville. Kirby, a second-team All-Gulf South Conference defender last season, has started all 16 games for the Chargers this year and has recorded one goal and one assist.
Santa Rosa County did not disappoint at the 3A state boys weightlifting meet Friday afternoon at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland.
Pace claimed the Olympic and traditional titles, while Milton was the state runner-up in Olympic and traditional. Navarre earned a share of the traditional title as well.
Jay’s softball team made a statement last Thursday night, topping rival Northview 4-0.
In a matchup featuring two top 10 teams in the state, the sixth-ranked Royals came into it looking for revenge after a 6-4, eight-inning loss to the No. 2 Chiefs on March 15.
Pace’s girls tennis team came home from the District 1-3A tournament with the runner-up trophy.
The Patriots tallied 10 points at the tournament, which took place at Shoreline Park in Gulf Breeze Monday and Tuesday.
