Sum of Spruce Creek's Parts Contribute to Weightlifting Dynasty

High school weightlifter Miranda Whitley laughs as she fails to clear a weight in the very last clean and jerk of the night. Whitley won the 119-lb weight class.

The Spruce Creek High School Hawks have won all five state titles since the Florida High School Athletic Association started sanctioning the sport in 2004. They will go for No. 6 on Saturday, February 14th in New Port Richey.

February 12, 2009

It is hard to be perfect in any sport.

So far, the Port Orange Spruce Creek girls weightlifting team has been.

The Hawks have won all five state titles since the Florida High School Athletic Association started sanctioning the sport in 2004. They will go for No. 6 on Saturday in New Port Richey.

"We have always told everyone there is no secret," Coach Tom Bennett said. "We don't hide anything. Coaches will ask us what our workouts are, and we will give them to them. I guess if there is a secret or a trick, it is getting the most out of the girls. . . . Hard work and dedication is our tradition. High standards are our tradition. The state championships just come along because of the dedication and the standards."

Said Kristian Rainge-Campbell, favored to win a state title in the 154-pound class: "Since we've always been state champions, we don't dwell on past wins. We focus on the current season. It's a lot of pressure, because we don't want to be the team that breaks the streak."

Rainge-Campbell is one of 10 Hawks who have qualified for this weekend's meet, a state best. We take a look at some of the lifters who make Spruce Creek so dominant.

On the right track

Senior Miranda Sheffey always wanted to be a track standout at Spruce Creek, but quickly found out that what she thought she would be and what the reality is were two different things. So instead of chasing a dream that she probably never would catch, Sheffey switched sports.

"I was going to run track, but when I tried it, I found out the hard way that it wasn't for me," said Sheffey, who placed fifth at state at 129 pounds last year and is seeded fifth this year as well. "Weightlifting has shown me that if I can believe it, then I can achieve it.

"It's a lot more than physical strength."

The little girl who could

What image does junior Kaysie Junco want to leave behind when she graduates? Ask Junco, and she answers: "Dang, that girl looks like she's 12, but she's a beast!"

Junco, the favorite at 101 pounds, does not fit the image of a stereotypical weightlifter. She is the defending state champ in her weight class after lifting 265 total pounds last year and finished fourth in her weight class as a freshman.

Not bad for someone who only started lifting weights early in the 2006-07 school year as part of a weightlifting class at school. She thought she could do pretty well, so she joined the Hawks.

Earning bragging rights

Kristian Rainge-Campbell, a senior, made her parents proud when she decided to compete for the Spruce Creek weightlifting team.

"My mom was really excited and very supportive of me because she was strong in high school. She had a 300-pound back squat," Rainge-Campbell said. "As soon as my dad heard the news, he started bragging. He hasn't stopped since."

There has been plenty of reason to brag. Rainge-Campbell finished second in the state meet last year and probably would be going for a second straight state title if teammate Morgan Candage wasn't also in her weight class last year.

Going for a 3-peat

In this program of so many accomplishments, Morgan Candage can do something really remarkable Saturday. She can become Spruce Creek's first three-time state champion -- winning the 139-pound weight class as a sophomore, 154 last year and 169 this year.

Candage moved up to 169 for the team and to give Rainge-Campbell an opportunity to compete for a title.

"It's pretty amazing to know no one comes close to our team," Candage said. "[There is] definitely a lot of pride. Everyone wants to be a part of our team."

Girl's weightlifting "Super Six"