By By Matthew Nascone
Derek Dixon placed second at the Florida High School Athletic Association Class 2B weightlifting district meet March 23 at Woodham High School.
Dixon earned second place in the 154-pound class and will move on to the sectional meet on April 8 at Bay High School. He was the only Chief to move on at the tournament. But the Chiefs did have a few lifters post personal bests at the competition.
"It was great for our kids to face great competition," NHS head coach Cody Keene said.
The weightlifting team traveled to Jay for a meet on March 20 and came away with a 46-29 victory.
In the 119-pound class James Cott placed first and Jackson Armstrong placed second. In the 154-pound class Dixon placed first with John Thompson in second. For the 169-pound class Butch Jernigan placed second and Jeff Steadham placed third. Mac McMillan came in second place in the 183-pound class.
Isaiah Powell won the 199-pound class with James Lewis placing second. John Donalson won the 219-pound class, Nick Prather won the 238-pound class and Desmond Hunter won the heavyweight class.
"The kids are getting better and as long as they are getting better, I am happy," Keene said.
The Chiefs faced Woodham and Gulf Breeze High School March 8 and tied for second place. Gulf Breeze had 46 points while NHS and Woodham tied with 32 points.
James Scott won the 119-pound class and Jackson Armstrong placed third. In the 129-pound class Manny McCants grabbed second place. Deonta Davison won and Dixon placed second. Nakita Myles placed second in the 169-pound class.
In the 238-pound class Desmond Hunter grabbed first place and in the heavyweight division Abe Shoemo placed second.
The Chiefs had their final meet of the season March 29 against Pensacola High School and the results will be in Wednesday's Advance.