LEESBURG, FL – The Leesburg High School Girls Weightlifting team has made history at the FHSAA State Championships, capturing back-to-back titles in Olympic weightlifting, while also securing a runner-up position in the Traditional category. Under the guidance of Coach Josh Boyer, the team accomplished all of this with only five weightlifters who made it to States. This is a trumendous accomplishment!

The championship meet saw standout performances from the team’s five state qualifiers, beginning with Mileysa Lebron-Escudero, who made her mark in the 101 lbs class. Lebron-Escudero broke the state record for the Snatch on her second attempt with a lift of 120 lbs, only to surpass herself moments later by successfully lifting 125 lbs on her third attempt. Mileysa not only claimed the title in Olympic weightlifting with a total of 280 lbs but also shined in Traditional lifting, achieving the same total and sealing a fantastic finale to her high school career.

(This the Leesburg High Girls third state championship in two years. They have been led by coach Josh Boyer who has done an incredible job with the boys and girls programs. Photo Credit – shotby.keny)

Jossianys Parrilla also represented the 101 lbs class, finishing her high school journey with a state qualification. In the 139 lbs category, senior Kayla Nord earned a third-place medal in Olympic lift while securing a state runner-up position in Traditional lifting. Fellow junior Hannah Stubbs gained invaluable experience and looks forward to returning next year with a promising roster of underclassmen.

Nevaeh Wells finished her senior year on a high note in the Unlimited category, claiming another state title in Traditional lifting with an impressive total of 500 lbs. Notably, before her insane 265 lbs pause bench lift, an emotional moment unfolded as she signaled to her proud parents in the stands, expressing her love for them just moments before her lift. It was the culmination of everything she had worked so hard to achieve. She is an very strong woman both mentally and physically and she proved that not only to herself but to everyone who was there. In Olympic competition, she secured the runner-up spot. It was a fantastic performance from Nevaeh Wells and one we will be talking about for a long time to come.

(Nevaeh Wells did it again. She finished 1st place at the state championship in the unlimited category in Traditional lifting. She also took 2nd place in Olympic lifting. Photo Credit – shotby.keny.)

“I am so proud of each and every one of these girls. They worked so hard for this and achieved back-to-back state titles in Olympic weightlifting with only three medalists. That has never been done at the FHSAA State Championships before and I am beyond proud of what they achieved,” says head coach Josh Boyer.

Indeed, The Leesburg High School Girls Weightlifting team achieved what is believed to be an unprecedented feat in FHSAA history, obtaining the Olympic state title with just three medalists. This was one of the biggest underdog stories of the entire 2024/25 school year. We are so proud of these girls and we want to congratulate them on a job well done. Way to go!