Kevin Bryan, Jupiter: Post All-Area weight lifter of the year

Friday, June 04, 2010
by Paul Ivice

Photo by Ray Graham/The Palm Beach Post

Click here to see other players of the year and All-Area teams.

After a disappointing finish in the weight lifting sectionals as a junior, Jupiter's Kevin Bryan made sure he was going to get the most out of his senior season.

Bryan did just that, earning third place in the 199-pound division in his first trip to the state tournament.

Bryan came a long way in just a year. After defaulting during the bench press at the sectional because of flawed form, Bryan quit the wrestling team to focus solely on weight lifting.

"He had a good time with wrestling, but he wasn't a wrestler," said Doug Rasmusson, Jupiter's wrestling and weight lifting coach, who worked with Bryan to improve his form.

"It's amazing how well you can do when you listen," said Rasmusson. "Scratching out last year really woke him up."

Jupiter graduate Alex Woytkiw, who won the 2008 state title in the 119-pound division, worked with Bryan on improving his mental outlook and focus.

Bryan won the 199-pound division in the sectional with a 635-pound total, 75 pounds more than runner-up Alex Barletta of Martin County. At state, Bryan improved his clean and jerk by 25 pounds to a personal-best 285 for a 660-pound total that earned him third.

"To do a personal-best in the clean-and-jerk at state shows he was mentally prepared and how committed he was," Woytkiw said.

Bryan said in the weeks before the state meet, he focused on the clean-and-jerk. He said it was not a matter of gaining strength in that short time, but "making better use of the strength you have."

COACH OF THE YEAR

Doug Rasmusson Jupiter

Coached Kevin Bryan to a third-place finish in the state 199-pound division two years after Alex Woytkiw became the first Warrior to win a state weight lifting crown at 119 pounds.

FIRST TEAM

Thomas Cervantes Jupiter, Sr., 119

In first trip to state, he placed 11th in his division.

Austin Rodriguez Seminole Ridge, Jr., 129

Placed sixth at states after 13th as sophomore.

Angel Rodriguez Seminole Ridge, Jr., 139

Austin's brother was 7th at state with 495-pound total.

Billy Edgecombe

Jupiter, Senior, 154

Edged by teammate at sectionals but placed 12th at state.

Chase Watson Seminole Ridge, Sr., 169

Second at sectionals, placed seventh at state.

Casey Long Seminole Ridge, Sr., 183

Sectional champ tore muscle in his first lift at state.

Mario Dorcent Boynton Beach, Sr., 199

Personal best 580-pound total at state to finish 10th.

John Larsh

PB. Central, Senior, 219

His 670-pound total was the best at sectional meet.

Kenneth Stephens Boynton Beach, Jr., 238

Won division at sectional and placed sixth at the state meet.

Sam Jansen Seminole Ridge, Jr., HWT

Division sectional winner, he placed ninth at state.

SECOND TEAM

119: Luciano Meldone, Park Vista, So.

129: Cody McGann, Wellington, Sr.

139: Jonathan Paul, Boynton Beach, Jr.

154: Tyler Smillie, Jupiter, Sr.

169: Cristian Narvaja, Wellington, Jr.

183: Heavenson Daniel, Boynton, Sr.

199: Justin Stine, Atlantic, Jr.

219: David Pioquinto, Boca Raton, Sr.

239: Fred Grunwald, Sem. Ridge, Jr.

HWT: Larry Levy, Park Vista, Sr.