- April 25, 2024
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The Pirates had two individual state champions last season—both were the first in school history.
The Matanzas boys weightlifting team had its first state champions in school history last season — Tim Scott and Foster Carasia. As a team, the Iron Pirates took third place, just three points behind co-state champions Baker and Arnold high schools.
Scott and Carasia both graduated, but coach Keith Lagocki is still confident that this year’s team can improve on its Class 1A third-place finish from a year ago.
“We don’t have the two horses in Tim and Foster this season, but we have a lot of guys who can get us points,” Lagocki said.
Lagocki hopes the depth will make up for the two departed defending state champs.
The team isn’t short on weapons. Anthony DeSantoli enters his senior season lifting in the heavyweight class, up from the 238-pound class last year.
DeSantoli took third place at the state meet last season, but this year, he has a bigger goal. He wants to break the state record in the clean-and-jerk for heavyweights, which is 405 pounds.
“It’s definitely tangible,” Lagocki said of DeSantoli’s goal. “He works at the sport all year long.”
Last week against Ponte Vedra, DeSantoli hoisted 325 pounds in the clean-and-jerk, but Lagocki said it’s all about building up and peaking at the state meet.
The Iron Pirates have many other lifters that should make some noise at the state meeting, including Cody Weaver (119 pounds, senior), Matt Whalen (139 pounds, junior), Casey Kronemeyer (139 pounds, junior), Christian Benvenuto (199 pounds, senior), Shawn White (238 pounds, junior) and DeSantoli (heavyweight, senior).
The Iron Pirates lost only one meet last season, to St. Augustine, and so far this season only have one loss, to St. Augustine again.
The Pirates will host the first round of sub-sectionals Monday, March 14, which will feature Nease, Keystone Heights, Creekside and Ponte Vedra. The other teams in the section will be lifting at Baker High School. The top eight lifters from the sub-sectionals qualify for the April 2 sectional finals, at Baker, with a state meet berth on the line.
At the state meet, Lagocki’s goal for the team is to get more points (18) than last season and have as many individual state champions as possible.
LIFTERS TO WATCH
Cody Weaver, Sr., 119 pounds: Won the Feb. 23 meet against St. Augustine and Pedro Menendez and could make noise at states.
Matt Whalen, Jr., 139 pounds: One of five returning state qualifiers from last season and benched 225 pounds and clean-and-jerked 225 pounds at the March 2 meet against district foe Ponte Vedra. He should contend for a state title.
Casey Kronemeyer, Jr., 139 pounds: Will have stiff competition in teammate Matt Whalen, but should be able to help the Pirates get points at the state meet.
Christian Benvenuto, Sr., 199 pounds: Set a personal record with a 500-pound total Feb. 23 and has a good shot to place at the state meet in April.
Anthony DeSantoli, Sr., Heavyweight: Returning state qualifier and took third place in state last season in 238-pound class. He’s shooting to top the state record of 405 pounds in the clean-and-jerk, and win a state championship.
