BAKER — When you’re this close, how can you not let your mind wonder?
The 16 local weightlifters set for today's Region 1-1A meet are one step — one top-six finish — from qualifying for the Class 1A state meet.
So, naturally, the Baker and Rocky Bayou competitors will be dreaming a little.
“I think the guys that have worked and put themselves in that position are disciplined,” Baker coach Andy Valmus said. “It’s always good for our guys to focus.”
The Gators don’t need to dream of a District 1-1A championship. They can see that reality in the trophy case.
When a weightlifting meet comes down to one point, each finish counts. That’s an obvious statement, but one holding heavy importance when Baker’s boys lifters narrowly edged Pensacola High two weeks ago for the District 1-1A title. Whether it was a district champion — like Logan Cadenhead or Christian Sanguyo — or fifth-place finisher Gabe Vicari, every point mattered.
“That’s what I told them,” Valmus said. “Everyone did what they had to do.”
The Region 1-1A meet at 1 p.m. is today at Baker, where the trio of local district champions will aim for region titles. Mark Makarov (199) was Rocky Bayou’s lone champion. He joins district runner-up Seth Waldron (183), third-place finisher Ethan Parks (169) and sixth-place qualifier Gabe Simon (219) as region qualifiers.
Baker, though, is in the running for team accolades. The Gators have 12 regional qualifiers, but more important, they won their first district weightlifting championship and first one for District 1-1A.
“If everybody does about what they did from district to region,” Valmus said, “it looks like we’ll be in the fourth- or fifth-place range. Winning would be a long shot.”
Start with Sanguyo and Cadenhead — the former in the 129-pound weight class and the latter in 139 — who have arguably the best chances to make the Class 1A state competition. The only one guaranteed a state qualification spot is the region champion. The next 12 best scores, regardless of region, qualify as wildcard berths.
“I feel like those guys (Sanguyo, Cadenhead and Montae Barto) will be in the next 12 if they do what they did,” Valmus said. “There is no guarantee. They are right in the hunt.”
—
WHAT: Region 1-1A boys weightlifting meet
WHEN: 1 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Baker School
—
Local schools competing: Baker and Rocky Bayou
Baker qualifiers: Bradley Inscore (119, third); Christian Sanguyo (129, champion); Austin Oglesby (129, fourth); Logan Cadenhead (139, champion); Austin Mayo (154, runner-up); Chris Roller (154, sixth); Jacob Gilmore (169, runner-up); Tom Crowson (183, fourth); Nick Adams (199, fourth); Dylan Martin (219, third); Montae Barton (238, runner-up); and Gabe Vicari (238, fifth)
Rocky Bayou qualifiers: Ethan Parks (169, third); Seth Waldron (183, runner-up); Mark Makarov (199, champion); and Gabe Simon (219, sixth)
WHAT: Region 1-1A boys weightlifting meet
WHEN: 1 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Baker School
—
Local schools competing: Baker and Rocky Bayou
Baker qualifiers: Bradley Inscore (119, third); Christian Sanguyo (129, champion); Austin Oglesby (129, fourth); Logan Cadenhead (139, champion); Austin Mayo (154, runner-up); Chris Roller (154, sixth); Jacob Gilmore (169, runner-up); Tom Crowson (183, fourth); Nick Adams (199, fourth); Dylan Martin (219, third); Montae Barton (238, runner-up); and Gabe Vicari (238, fifth)
Rocky Bayou qualifiers: Ethan Parks (169, third); Seth Waldron (183, runner-up); Mark Makarov (199, champion); and Gabe Simon (219, sixth)
WANT TO GO?
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Baker dreaming of state as regionals draw near