American Heritage senior David Vadala, the reigning Sun Sentinel Broward 2M-1M football defensive player of the year, enjoyed another highlight in his athletic career at the FHSAA boys weightlifting state championship.
Vadala placed fourth in the inaugural Class 2A Olympic event and finished eighth in the traditional category in the 199-pound weight class at RP Funding Center in Lakeland on Saturday.
Vadala previously captured the Class 2A Olympic district and regional championship. In the Olympic state competition, he registered a 285 in the clean-and-jerk and 225 in the snatch for a 510 total. He recorded a 590 total in the traditional event.
Vadala competed in his first weightlifting season since his freshman year and excelled under the direction of coach Travis Spiva.
“I honestly was looking at the numbers last year and I was motivated to compete at a high level after football and try to win a state championship in weightlifting,” Vadala said. “It was not my best performance and I felt I could have placed higher. It was a learning experience. It was definitely a fun and enjoyable season.”
Vadala said he learned the snatch for the first time during the last three months.
“I started to get more comfortable with my technique in the snatch during the last month,” he said. “It was good to be surrounded by lifters and compete at a high level at states. It was a good experience.”
Vadala, who was a standout linebacker at American Heritage, trains at American Top Team and competes in wrestling and Jiu-Jitsu. He has trained in Mixed martial arts the last two years and is preparing to enter competitions. Vadala will attend Florida Atlantic University.
Forest Hill delivered a strong effort in the Class 3A Olympic competition. Christian Giles (154) finished third after he recorded 255 in the clean-and-jerk and 210 in the snatch for a 465 total. Jamarcus Emerson (139) placed fifth and Aiden Vargas (169) finished 10th.
Olympic Heights had several top performers in Class 3A. Isaque Costa (183) placed fourth in the Olympic category with a 520 total and also finished 10th in traditional. Sean Lutin (139) placed eighth in the Olympic event and finished 10th in traditional. Vasyl Latyk (154) earned sixth in the Olympic category and Jayden Bernstein (129) finished 10th. Boynton Beach had a strong performance in Class 2A events. Ridjy Hilaire (219) placed fourth with a 615 total in traditional. Bobby T. Smith (199) earned fifth after lifting a 610 total in traditional. Josiah Jones (169) placed eighth in the Olympic category and Jean Claude-Dimansky (169) finished 10th in traditional.
Park Vista’s Gabriel Rait (154) placed fifth in the Class 3A traditional competition and 10th in the Olympic category. Sean Silva (219) finished eighth in the Olympic event.Wellington’s John Swiderski (199) placed eighth in the Class 3A Olympic event while Palm Beach Central’s Colin Romano (199) earned ninth in traditional. Cardinal Newman’s Samuel Almazon (139) finished seventh in the Class 1A Olympic competition while American Heritage-Delray’s Dat Nguyen (Unlimited) placed ninth.
Spruce Creek captured both the Class 3A Olympic and traditional championship. Leesburg and Fleming Island tied for first for the Class 2A Olympic title while Fleming Island and Choctawhatchee tied for first in traditional. Suwannee won the Class 1A Olympic title while Keystone Heights captured the traditional championship.
