2021 SUN Preps All-Area Athletes & Teams
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www.yoursun.com Page 43 adno=3799026-1 Patrick Nolan finished third after losing in the quarterfinals, but managing to wrestle back through the consolation and blood rounds to defeat Lincoln's Elijah Hendley. It all added up to 153.5 points, outpacing Palmetto Ridge (145) and Lake Gibson (141.5). CHARLOTTE BOYS WEIGHTLIFTING Charlotte, which led all area teams with 12 state qualifiers, Charlotte tied Pace to share the Class 2A state crown at the boys weightlifting championships. It marked the second state title in school history, after the Tarpons' Class 2A win in 2012. "We won the district, we won the region, I knew it was going to be between us and Pace," Charlotte coach Ray Hixson said. "They're a very good team." While they didn't win any in- dividual state titles, they totaled enough points, especially in the heavier weight classes, to claim the crown. "We've traditionally been very good in the district and the region, but this is our second championship," Hixson said. The Tarpons were powered by three second-place finishes and a pair of thirds. Jaden Opalach (139), Christian Kreegel (199) and Hunter Pritchard (219) were Charlotte's second-place finishers. Opalach benched 260 pounds and hoisted 230 in the clean and jerk for a 495 total. Kreegel totaled 640 (325-315) while Pritchard lifted 655 (355-300). "Christian came through," the coach said. "Pace was leading us through the lightweights and we knew he had to get a second for us to have a chance at the championship. And the same with Logan Pritchard, we had to get a second. We were behind by 10." At 119, Austin Lowe finished third with a total of 380. Brenner Bogle took third at 154 with 535. "He's made great gains this year, he's a joy to coach," Hixson said of Lowe. "He just kept going up and up as the year went on. I'm very proud of him. "He stuck his last clean and jerk at 190 to take third. That helped us because that knocked Pace down. That was big." STATE CHAMPIONS FROM PAGE 42 SUN FILE PHOTO BY Charlotte wrestler Lucas Willis celebrates his fifth state title this past March. His title was one of three individual Tarpon titles as the team won its third- ever state crown. PHOTO PROVIDED Christian Kreegal competes during the 2021 2A state weightlifting meet for the Charlotte Tarpons.