BY CLIFF SMELLEY
Telegraph Staff Writer
Union County High School’s Christian Simmons stood on the medal platform as a state champion for the second straight year, this time winning two titles at the Florida High School Athletic Association Class 1A Boys Weightlifting Finals, which were held April 15 in Lakeland.
Simmons, a senior who competes in the 129-pound class, won the traditional competition (bench press and clean and jerk) last year and did so again this year. He also claimed the top spot in the Olympic competition (snatch and clean and jerk).
“I’m pretty grateful, to say the least, but I expected a lot more out of myself, so I have my disappointments when I reflect on how the day went,” Simmons said, adding, “I didn’t break the record in clean and jerk and bench. I was quite close on clean and jerk, but I didn’t get it.”
Still, Simmons had no real competition. His 505-pound total in the traditional competition put him 45 pounds ahead of runner-up Kristian Sarakinis of The Villages, while his 435 total in the Olympic competition put him 35 pounds ahead of runner-up Zach Warner of Eagle’s View.
“It’s definitely very mind-boggling,” Simmons said of how far ahead of everyone he was. “I can’t really believe it.”
Simmons was upset over the lifts he missed. His first clean and jerk attempt of 240 was unsuccessful, so he tried it again on this second attempt, which was successful. He then went for 280 on his third attempt, but didn’t get it.
After opening the bench press with a successful attempt of 265, he missed two attempts at 285.
The snatch went better, Simmons said. He did 185 on his first attempt. After failing to get 195 on his second attempt, he went for it again on his third attempt, which was successful.
Simmons’ trainer, Bryan Griffis of Raiford Wreckshop, and friend Quinn Raulerson, a UCHS graduate and state champion, reminded him to not lose sight of what he’s accomplished the last two years.
“There aren’t many people who become three-time state champions,” Simmons said. “To be a three-time state champion is pretty good.”
Simmons said he could never give enough thanks to his grandparents and the rest of his family who’ve supported him. He also thanked everyone who played a role in helping him achieve what he’s done.
“I’m just so appreciative of everyone who helped me get to where I am, whether they played a role in my life positively or negatively,” Simmons said. “They are the reason for who I am today.”
Thomas Williams, a junior making his second appearance at state, earned a medal for Union as well, placing sixth in the 199 class in the traditional competition. Williams, who was 6 of 6 on all of his attempts, had a best bench press of 325 and a best clean and jerk of 250 for a 575 overall total. He tied with Marianna’s Isaiah Clemmons and South Sumter’s Ty Kadur. Clemmons, who weighed in at 188.9 pounds, was awarded fifth place ahead of Williams. Williams weighed in at 189.9 pounds, while Kadur weighed in at 194 pounds, giving Williams sixth place and Kadur seventh.
Maddox Wheeler, a sophomore, was making his first appearance at state. He had a bench press of 290 and a clean and jerk of 250, giving him a 16th-place total of 540.
