By Rick Pedone
Sports Editor

Several Osceola County weightlifters have advanced to the girls sectional tournament Wednesday at Timber Creek High.

Twenty-two teams from Osceola and Orange counties competed at the sub-sectionals at Harmony last week, where the top nine individuals from each weight class advanced.

Osceola’s 2009 state champion, Zanquina Ellison, lifted 335 pounds total to win the 129-pound weight class.

Ellison’s teammate, Tynia Gaither, was second (290) in the  119-pound weight class. Poinciana’s Kandra Anderson (300) was runner-up at 183 pounds and St. Cloud’s Illiana Bonilla (220) was second at 101 pounds.

Also qualifying at 101 pounds were Osceola’s Sasha Mendez (180) and Liberty’s Katherine Goris (145).

Qualifying at 110 were Harmony’s Emily Fiorelli (215) and Chelsea Houpt (190), and St. Cloud’s Annalise Barberi (225) and Breanna Benge (205).

Advancing at 119 pounds in addition to Gaither, a four-time state track champion, are Osceola’s Jameshia Gant (220) and St. Cloud’s Olivia Falkner (225).

At 129, after Ellison, St. Cloud’s Sarah Boroski (230) and Kristyna Benge (215).

Qualifying at 139 pounds are Harmony’s Melissa Albert (280) and St. Cloud’s Sabrina Lineburgh (240).

Advancing at 154 pounds are Harmony’s Lauren Harris (250) and St. Cloud’s Mallory Armstrong (235).

Poinciana’s Kiera Johnson (265) and St. Cloud’s Aixa Machnuk (250) advanced at 169 pounds.

Advancing at 183 pounds after Anderson is Liberty’s Samantha Pauling (250).

Liberty’s Kendra Hooks (260) and Kahmalia Sada (225) advanced at 199 pounds with Harmony’s Kamita Marissiant (245).

Poinciana’s Shankuavia McRoy (240) advanced in the unlimited class.

Although team scores aren’t official in sub-sectional meets, St. Cloud (54) edged Harmony (49), Osceola (31), Liberty (31) and Poinciana (30) in a preview of the Orange Belt Conference meet in two weeks.

The top three lifters in each weight class from next Wednesday’s sectional at Timber Creek will compete for the state championship Feb. 12 at the Kissimmee Civic Center.