LABELLE - The Cowgirls did not disappoint! Five school records were broken or tied, and seven athletes advanced to state competition on February 12. Sending seven athletes is the most the LaBelle High School (LHS) program has ever sent to state.

Athletes moving on for the Cowgirls are:
• Ciarra Hernandez, who broke the clean and jerk record for the 110 weight class, completing 120 pounds for the lift.

• Journey Vidaurri, tied the bench press record completing 115 pounds for the lift.

• Melissa Raya and Emma Willis qualified in the 139 weight class.

• Janet Villa-Rodriguez was individual Regional Champion for the 154 weight class, automatically qualifying her for state competition.

• Cruz Carreno also qualified in the 154 weight class.

• Jenna McClain broke three of her own school records, testing where her strength is before heading to state for the fourth year in a row.

At regional competition, Jenna benched 225 pounds, clean and jerked 205 pounds, and has a new record total of 430 pounds. Jenna easily won her weight class to make her a three time individual Regional Champion.

Although Jenna is the only Cowgirl returning to state competition, Coach McClain knows the athletes that qualified have put in the work and are prepared for that level of competition.

The Cowgirls lifting program is excited to be sending a record number of individual athletes to represent not only the program, but LaBelle.

State competition has been moved to Live Oak, Florida at the Suwannee High School. The Cowgirls will lift Friday, February 12, beginning at 9 a.m. You can get additional information on the state site, FHSAA.com, and click on girls weightlifting under “sports”. Results will be posted on this site soon after the completion of the event.