Columbus Weightlifting Wins District Championship

Something special has been brewing in the Columbus weight room.

Explorers posing for a team photo after winning District Championship (via Coach Fernando Machado)

by Matthew Leon

Over Spring Break, the Explorers’ Olympic Weightlifting Team captured the District Championship in both Olympic and Traditional categories. The Explorers dominated the competition, showing the value of discipline and hard work.  

Regional Qualifiers (via @columbusweightlifting on Instagram)

The team qualified 22 athletes for Regionals, and won 5 Olympic/3 Traditional weight classes.

Weight class winners: 

Maikel Alvarez-Brito ‘29 - 119 Olympic 

Jason Goico ‘26 - 129 Olympic/Traditional

Nicholas Scardina ‘27 - 139 Olympic

Julian Pina ‘26 - 154 Olympic 

Ethan Barosela ‘26 - 199 Olympic/Traditional 

Senior Ethan Barosela ‘26 completed a school record 320 lb Clean and Jerk, the highest in the competition. He accredited some of his success to his teammates, and the camaraderie that has been built through countless hours of morning practices.

Coach Fernando Machado attributed the win to the lifters’ year-round workouts, which separated them from the competition. 

“The dedication that our weightlifters have shown this past year is incredible," Machado said.

With Regionals soon to arrive on Saturday, April 25, our Explorers will continue to prepare in hopes of another dominant win.