By Kyle Coppola
Leesburg High Boys Weightlifting Team Impress At Suwannee Invitational
SUWANNEE, Fla. — The Leesburg High School boys weightlifting team proved they belong among the state’s best, securing a runner-up finish at the prestigious Suwannee Bulldog Invitational. Known as one of the toughest pre-state competitions, this event served as a true test for Leesburg ahead of their state championship push.
“This meet timed up as a test week within our cycle, and these kids were ready,” Leesburg head coach Josh Boyer said. “Shadow lifters can’t hide at this meet as the spotlight is bright, looking for the star lifters.”
(The Leesburg High Weightlifting team was impressive during this meet. The boys seem ready for the final stretch of the season. Photo Credit – Iron Jungle Weightlifting.)
Leesburg’s standout performances came from Jeremy Lacey and Savion Latimore, who earned top individual honors. Lacey was named Best Lifter in the lower weight classes based on the Schwartz-Malone formula, while Latimore claimed the same title in the heavier divisions. Additionally, Gage Anderson won Best Snatch in the lower weight classes, and Lacey continued his dominance with Best Clean and Jerk and Best Bench Press in the lower weight classes.
As a team, Leesburg finished as runner-up in both the Olympic and Traditional weightlifting categories, tying with South Sumter High School while Suwannee claimed both titles.
(Jeremy Lacey holds a shirt called “Building A Dynasty” a shirt coach Boyer came up with as Leesburg continues to be one of the top weightlifting programs in the state of Florida. Photo Credit – Iron Jungle Weightlifting.)
“The guys are in a great place,” Boyer said. “Just as our girls team experienced during their state run this past season, things will balance out when all the strong kids are in one state meet. This state meet will be an absolute battle—probably the most competitive Boys State Championship in many years.”
With just a few weeks remaining until the state championships, the challenge is only intensifying. Boyer highlighted key factors that will determine success: maintaining body weight through a grueling stretch, handling pressure under the bright lights, and enduring a schedule that no longer offers an extra week between Regionals and States.
“Who can handle the state run without that extra week? Who can maintain body weight during these brutal three weeks coming up? Who can handle the spotlight and pressure when the state battle begins?” Boyer questioned. “So many factors, but this may be the best state championship ever. We will see who has the stomach for this fight.”
With momentum on their side, Leesburg is gearing up for the District Championship next week followed by Regionals and the state championships in just a few weeks time!
Kyle Coppola was born in Newton, Massachusetts and received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communications from Curry College in 2016. After traveling to Florida on a family vacation, he decided he could not get enough of the warm weather and made the move from snowy Massachusetts to central Florida 8 years ago.
For the last decade Kyle has gained valuable experience in social media content creation, marketing and sales, writing, video production, sports announcing and even broadcasting for local radio stations, such as FM 102.9 in The Villages and FM 91.5 in Massachusetts. Every year he volunteers at The Villages Charter High School as a play-by-play sports announcer for the football games as well as a public address announcer for the basketball games, including the annual Battle at The Villages Tournament.
Outside the office Kyle is a husband and father to two beautiful girls along with their cat. In his spare time he likes to spend time with his family, travel, play golf and swim. He is also a huge sports junkie and even bigger motorsports fan and loves to attend racing events when he can.
