Wellington Weightlifter Ciriaco Earns Two Medals at State Championship

Dwyer's McClean also takes home 3A Olympic runner-up honors

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Wellington junior Amelia Ciriaco placed second in the 3A Olympic category and fourth in the traditional competition in the 119-pound weight class to earn two medals at the FHSAA girls weightlifting state championship. Dwyer senior Ianna McClean (129 pounds) earned a 3A Olympic runner-up finish.

Why it matters

The state weightlifting championships represent the pinnacle of high school competition in Florida, showcasing the top talent in the sport. Ciriaco and McClean's strong performances highlight the depth of girls weightlifting in the state and the continued growth of the sport at the high school level.

The details

Ciriaco recorded a 175 in the clean-and-jerk and 135 in the snatch for a 310 total in the Olympic competition. She also finished with a 145 in the bench press for a 320 total in traditional. McClean registered a 190 in the clean-and-jerk and 145 in the snatch for a 335 total in the 3A Olympic category.

  • The FHSAA girls weightlifting state championship took place from Wednesday through Friday in Lakeland, Florida.

The players

Amelia Ciriaco

A junior at Wellington High School who placed second in the 3A Olympic category and fourth in the traditional competition in the 119-pound weight class.

Ianna McClean

A senior at Dwyer High School who placed second in the 3A Olympic category in the 129-pound weight class.

Peter Callovi

The head coach of the Wellington High School girls weightlifting team.

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What they’re saying

“I felt very accomplished with my performance. It was very nerve-wracking knowing that I could've placed as the state runner-up. It was very important to me to stay calm and keep my focus. My performance at states was one of the best I've put out as an athlete.”

— Amelia Ciriaco, Wellington High School Junior (sun-sentinel.com)

“I'm so proud of how hard Amelia worked throughout the year to finish strong in a stressful environment. Amelia and Danielle both competed so well to earn their medals to cap a championship season for the team.”

— Peter Callovi, Wellington High School Girls Weightlifting Coach (sun-sentinel.com)

What’s next

The FHSAA will hold its annual awards ceremony to recognize the top performers from the state championships.

The takeaway

The strong showings by Ciriaco and McClean demonstrate the continued growth and competitiveness of girls weightlifting in Florida, with athletes from smaller schools like Wellington and Dwyer competing at the highest level.