By Kyle LoJacono
Sunlake junior boys weightlifter Nate McCoole finished in seventh place at the Class 1A state heavyweight meet last year, better than any other competitor in program history.
McCoole put up the same total weight as the kid who finished in sixth place at the event, but was dropped down to seventh because he weighed more than the other competitor. That is the tie-breaker and put McCoole one spot away from placing.
“I was so close to placing and I don’t want that feeling again this year,” McCoole said. “I’ve really worked hard and got past 400 pounds on the bench press a couple weeks ago. That was a big goal for me.”
McCoole said he hopes to put up 425 in the bench at the state meet. The 1A heavyweight state champion had a 420-pound bench press last year.
“Nate’s total between clean and jerk and bench has gone up 50 pounds in a year, which is really good considering where he was and lifting as much weight as a 16 year old,” said Sunlake boys weightlifting coach Matt Smith. “We don’t push him every time because he is still a young man and we’re looking out for his health. He’s very competitive and very strong. I’ve only coached a couple guys like him in my 15 years coaching. His strength for his age is unbelievable.”
Smith, who coached at Hernando before Sunlake, has also coached McCoole on the Seahawks football offensive line the last three seasons. In that time, he has seen the junior increase his weight from 215 to 425 pounds. He can not only bench 415, but also posts 295 pounds in the clean and jerk.
McCoole said he has been working out at Powerhouse Gym in Tampa since the football season ended, and he credits what he learns there for some of his recent gains.
“This offseason I was working with the Andrew Yerrakadu, Tony Conyers and James Jacobs,” McCoole said. “They are training a lot of young people around the area and have been a huge help.”
He also gives credit to his longtime coach.
“He’s the best,” McCoole said of Smith. “He has a passion for helping kids out and is a good example for all of us.”
McCoole said his short-term goal is to compete for the state title. He also wants to eventually break the bench press record before he leaves Sunlake.
“The Florida state record is 505 and I’d like to have the new mark,” McCoole said.
The 1A state meet is on Saturday, April 16 in Kissimmee.
