Port St. Joe eighth grader to lift at state tournament

On Feb. 4, six girl weightlifters from Port St Joe traveled to Suwannee to compete for the opportunity to go to the state championship. 

Though it was initially thought that no weightlifters from Port St. Joe advanced, while driving home and sitting in 9th place in the 129-weight class, eighth grader Anniston Gainer was notified that she was sitting in the 20th spot on the unofficial state results. 

After waiting a few anxious days for the official results, she was notified she had made the cut and was going to state. Gainer made it to regionals as a seventh grader and first year competitor last year. This year, her coach transferred to Rutherford High school after districts .

Gainer placed third in both Olympic and traditional at districts. She and her teammates did not give up after losing their coach mid-season. 

She will travel on Feb. 17 and 18 to Lakeland to compete against the other ladies in the 129-pound weight class. 

Gainer is an honor roll student who also plays volleyball and softball.