LEESBURG, Fla. — When it comes to high school weightlifting in Florida, few names carry the weight — quite literally — of the Latimore brothers.

Sylvester and Savion Latimore, a dynamic sibling duo from Leesburg High School, have carved their names into the record books, helping the Yellow Jackets claim their third consecutive FHSAA Olympic weightlifting state championship — a first in Lake County history. While Sylvester was part of the original program to win and was not part of this year’s program, Sylvester was there to cheer on his brother and the rest of the team which made history.

“This means everything to us. We didn’t just lift for ourselves — we lifted for Leesburg, for our family, for everyone who believed in us,” said Savion Latimore, the younger of the two brothers who placed third-place finish in the Olympic class and fifth in the traditional competition at the 2025 state championships.

Sylvester who captured double gold in the Olympic and traditional lifts really set the tone for the program a few years ago and that has not stopped as Leesburg has won three state championships in a row.

(Savion “left” and Sylvester “right” stand with their mother Sylvia Green Mitchell “Center” showing off their state championship rings.)

“I just knew when both my boys started weightlifting they were going to succeed. They make us so proud.” says their mother Sylvia Green Mitchell.

Savion, a standout in his own right, stepped up in 2025 and even went up a class in weight. He would wind up finishing with a third-place finish in the Olympic class and fifth in the traditional competition. Savion is already following closely in Sylvesters footsteps.

“Watching Sylvester dominate motivated me,” Savion said. “I wanted to make my own mark while keeping our family name at the top. It’s been an amazing journey.”

Together, the Latimores became symbols of determination and excellence for a program that has steadily climbed to the pinnacle of the sport under head coach Josh Boyer.

(Savion Latimore stands with this state championship medals. He will also get a state championship ring for being a part of the team that won states for the third year in a row.)

“Those two are everything you want in student-athletes — hardworking, humble, focused,” said Boyer, who guided Leesburg to its historic three-peat. “Sylvester laid the foundation, and Savion is building on it. They’ve been cornerstones of our culture, and their impact will be felt for years.”

Sylvester Latimore, who graduated from Leesburg with a 5.0 GPA, is now preparing to complete his studies at Santa Fe College and graduate with his associates degree. Sylvester continues to be a fixture in the Leesburg weightlifting room. His championship banners and trophies hang inside the weightlifting hall and give great inspiration to athletes who walk in the room to compete each year. That goes for so many state champions over the years at Leesburg who’s championship banners also hang in the room.

(Medals upon medals, Sylvester Latimore shows off all his titles he has won over the years. He was among the most decorated Leesburg boys weightlifters in the modern era.)

“Sylvester’s drive is something special,” Boyer added. “He’s already moved on to college, but the way he went about things and his demeanor still makes it’s presence known inside the weightlifting room. That’s leadership.”

As for Savion, his journey is just beginning. This young man has a ton of potential no matter what he does in life. He’s got a great head on his shoulders and we are very excited to see where the future takes him.

“I’m just trying to be the best version of myself — in the gym, in the classroom, and in life,” Savion said. “I’ve got a great role model in my brother, and I know there’s more work to do.”

Leesburg’s recent dominance in the Olympic class has put the rest of Florida on notice. More than just a win for the school, the three straight state championships mark a watershed moment for Lake County athletics. Something that has never been done before. That is something truly special. The brothers and their teammates played a big role in that. Now can Leesburg become a true dynasty and win four in a row in 2026?

“We made history,” Savion said with a smile. “And history doesn’t forget.”