BAKER — Five lifters from Baker School’s girls weightlifting team will be in Kissimmee on Friday for the Class 1A state finals.
Four of them won their region, and three have the best lifts in the state heading into the state finals.
Veterans Mykala McCranie — unlimited class — and Mary Oglesby — 189 class — lead the Gator forces.
McCranie this year has lifted 40 pounds more than anyone in her class. Oglesby is right behind her, having lifted 35 pounds more than the 189 class' second-best lifter.
Sarah Nunley (119) is tied with best lift in the state. Brittany Anderson is a region champion in the 169 class and Taylor Brunson qualified in the 154 class.
Gator Coach David Oglesby, Mary’s father, is excited about Baker’s chances at state.
“They changed the weightlifting into two divisions,” he said. “1A is going to lift on Friday, and 2A is going to lift on Saturday. This is actually the first time at the state meet that it’s going to be a little bit more level.
“Since they (the state) divided it up into two classes, we are not going against the Navarres and the Nicevilles and the Fort Walton Beaches anymore. Whereas we would go down there before and hope (to have lifters) place, four of my lifters could win state championships.”
The girls are equally excited about the state meet.
“I know (as a senior) this is it, so I’m blessed to have the opportunity to go down there and compete,” Mary Oglesby said. “This is my last shot. I’m blessed to have this group of girls. It’s been a great group to work with, so to bring home something ( a state championship) that symbolizes all of our work would be awesome.”
McCranie has been to the state meet every year since she was in the eighth grade, but competing at state never gets old for her.
“It’s nerve-racking, but it’s a lot of fun,” she said. “It’s really important to get the championship. I love this school and I would love to see it because it hasn’t happened in the past.”
Brunson — better known for her volleyball court exploits — is ready to give the big stage her best shot.
“It’s a totally different situation than volleyball,” she said. “It’s an individual sport, so you don’t have to worry about the other (lifters on the team).
"It would be awesome for the school to win a state championship.”
Nunley said she can be her own worst enemy.
“I’m a head case,” she said. “I just need to get it in my head that I can actually do what I’m capable of.
“I went (to the state meet) last year to watch Mykala and Mary, so I know what it looks like, but I’m hoping to get first and bring home a state championship.”
This also is Anderson’s first trip to the state meet.
“I’m excited about going, but I’m nervous thinking about it,” she said. “I have to push myself harder to get to where I need to be.”
After losing to Mosley by a point in the region, David Oglesby knows that, even with the new classification system, Baker will lift against schools two, three or four times larger than it is.
And while he wouldn’t predict who would win, he was confident in making a statement about his team.
“Nobody is going to work harder than our Baker student athletes,” he said. "No one.”
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Baker weightlifters eye state championship