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1 week ago | 
newschief.com | Robert Magobet
The FHSAA State Weightlifting Championships were held April 11-12, 2025, at The RP Funding Center. Polk County weightlifters dazzled on both days in a historic event. Robert MagobetThe FHSAA State Weightlifting Championships were held April 11-12, 2025, at The RP Funding Center. Polk County weightlifters dazzled on both days in a historic event. Robert MagobetThe FHSAA State Weightlifting Championships were held April 11-12, 2025, at The RP Funding Center.
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1 week ago | 
theledger.com | Robert Magobet
Winter Haven junior guard Serenity Hardy’s patented moves in any game are the step back into her shot and the cross jab. In the FHSAA girls state basketball championship final game last March, she specifically used those two moves to work for her in intense, high-leverage moments in her sleep, though she is constantly working towards improving despite being The Ledger’s Player of the Year twice in a row.
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1 week ago | 
theledger.com | Robert Magobet
It always starts with Lake Gibson senior wrestler Christian Fretwell’s stance and his positioning, looking for his openings to move opponents to get to attacks until they are broken. This mentality has cemented Fretwell (132, 44-4) as one of the greatest wrestlers in Polk County history thanks to winning a 5-4 decision over Jesuit’s Reid Yakes in the state finals, which cemented a third state title for the Lake Gibson Brave. “To win wrestler of the year feels amazing,” Fretwell said.
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1 week ago | 
theledger.com | Robert Magobet
It's crazy to think that the 2024-25 wrestling season is in the books. But here we are.
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1 week ago | 
theledger.com | Robert Magobet
Looking back on how the girls wrestling season went in Polk County is quite a joy. George Jenkins experienced a myriad of pitfalls and still overcame obstacles thanks to a handful of Eagles persevering. The program even hosted the first-ever Inaugural Brian Bain Polk County girls tournament, and the program came out on top.
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1 week ago | 
theledger.com | Robert Magobet
LAKELAND ‒ Lake Wales senior weightlifter Josh Canet eventually wasn’t disappointed in himself despite being a tad bit dissatisfied early on with how his snatch went in the FHSAA Class 2A state weightlifting championship Friday at the RP Funding Center. Still, Canet (219) was close to beating the top guy — Choctawhatchee High School’s Brandon Stenger — something that he eventually deemed not so dissatisfying. How did it all start? Lake Wales took a jump to force his opener, and he failed it.
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2 weeks ago | 
theledger.com | Robert Magobet
Herbert Dixon, a 105-year-old Bartow resident and golfing legend, hosts an annual celebrity golf tournament to fund scholarships for local students. The tournament, organized by the Bartow Deacons and Stewards Alliance, has raised thousands of dollars to support students pursuing higher education. Dixon, who taught himself to play golf at a young age and went on to win numerous tournaments, is a revered figure in the community and an inspiration to aspiring golfers.
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2 weeks ago | 
theledger.com | Robert Magobet
Click here for important updates to our privacy policy. The 2025 high school cheer season wrapped up with a bang. Lakeland once again dominated the local and national scene. The program racked up its third straight national title — a three-peat for the first time in school history. The Dreadnaughts did this for the super varsity non-tumbling division Feb.
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2 weeks ago | 
theledger.com | Robert Magobet
Former Lake Gibson head girls basketball coach Antonia Bennett, pictured here, is now the new Lakeland Dreadnaughts head girls basketball coach. Antonia BennettFormer Lake Gibson head girls basketball coach Antonia Bennett, pictured here, is now the new Lakeland Dreadnaughts head girls basketball coach. Antonia BennettFormer Lake Gibson head girls basketball coach Antonia Bennett, pictured here, is now the new Lakeland Dreadnaughts head girls basketball coach.
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2 weeks ago | 
theledger.com | Robert Magobet
Antonia Bennett, former Lake Gibson head girls basketball coach, is the new head coach for Lakeland girls basketball. Bennett led Lake Gibson to a state final four appearance in 2023, the first in school history. Bennett aims to rebuild the Lakeland program and restore its reputation. There is a new sheriff in town when it comes to the Lakeland girls basketball program. Former Lake Gibson head girls basketball coach Antonia Bennett is now Lakeland’s head girls basketball coach.
