- April 19, 2024
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Rilee Whitmore was not a point scorer last year. This year she has her eye on state. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Seabreeze's Camilla Arellano benched 85 pounds for a 185 total. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Rilee Whitmore had lifters in front of her in each of her first two years on Matanzas High School's girls weightlifting team.
"I wasn't a point scorer," Whitmore explained.
This year, Whitmore has not only been a point scorer, she has won in dominating fashion in every meet this season, Matanzas coach Jeremy Ossler said.
The Pirates swept Seabreeze on senior night Wednesday, Jan. 11, winning all 10 weight classes for a 73-16 victory in traditional competition (clean and jerk and bench press). Matanzas also won the Olympic competition (snatch and clean and jerk), 70-8.
Whitmore won the 169-pound class with a 95-pound snatch, 140-pound clean and jerk and 145 bench.
"She lifted light tonight, because she didn't need to go heavy," Ossler said, noting that her personal records this season of a 155-pound clean and jerk and 150-pound bench would have qualified her for the Class 2A state championships last year.
"She put in a ton of work in the offseason," Ossler said.
"I've improved a good 20 pounds on each (lift)," Whitmore said. "I went to the gym a lot in the offseason. My goal is to make it to state."
"I love how everyone is supporting you at the meets. Everyone is screaming your name. It's very empowering."
— RILEE WHITMORE
Whitmore, who is also a cheerleader, said weightlifting is a unique sport.
"I love how everyone is supporting you at the meets. Everyone is screaming your name. It's very empowering," she said.
The Matanzas weight class winners in the traditional competition were: 101—Aiyana Reyes (145 total); 110—Aryanna DiFatta (170 total); 119—Carina Tavares (225 total); 129—Jordyn Crews (235 total); 139—Maria Kelly (235 total); 154—Sarah Sanchez (235 total); 169—Rilee Whitmore (285 total); 183—Eva Ossler (215 total); 199—Lexi Rosario (220 total); Unlimited—Samantha Simon (215 total).
Crews, a freshman, has been a revelation this season, Ossler said. Like Whitmore, she has won every meet she participated in this season. Crews is following her brother and sister into the sport.
"They talk about how fun it was and how you can achieve your goals," she said.
"Her strong points are her overhead stuff," Ossler said of Crews, who set PR's in the meet with a 90-pound snatch and 125-pound clean and jerk.
"She's a very determined kid. It's amazing that I have her for three more years," Ossler added.
Seabreeze's top lifters at the meet were 154-pounder Charlotte Low (225 traditional total), 199-pounders Jamie Bandell (215) and Rylee Diehl (210), 129-pounder Camilla Arellano (185) and unlimited Leanne Fourson (205).
The Pirates honored nine seniors in their final regular-season meet. They finished the regular season with an 8-3 record. Matanzas will host the District 2-6A meet Jan. 27.
