If you are looking for Callista Durrett at River Ridge always check the weight room first.
This cheerleader turned weightlifter is the Class 1A 110-pound 2017 state gold medalist.
"The girls all mobbed her on the platform," said River Ridge girls weightlifting coach, Mike Degennaro. "It was pretty awesome."
The mob followed a state record-breaking clean and jerk lift of 180 pounds. Her second state record came on total weight of 325 pounds, including the bench press.
"When I was doing 160 clean and jerk in the beginning of the season, I looked up the records and was like it’s 170," said Royal Knight senior Callista Durrett. "So, I’m not that far away. Once my weights started going up, I thought this is definitely possible."
"As soon as she looked it up and told me, I knew she could get it," said Degennaro. "I might not have told her that. Told we had to work for it, but I knew she could get it."
So what’s better than a gold medal and breaking records?
Settling old bets.
Coach Degennaro made good on his promise to shave if the girls won back-to-back team state titles.
Hello Gold! Good-Bye Beard!
"Out of all the four years I’ve been weightlifting, I don’t think i have ever seen him without a beard," said Durrett. "So, once I saw him without a beard I was like, WOAH!"
"It’s been about 20 years, since I have been clean-shaven," said Degennaro.
Nine girls qualified for the state meet.
Three of them claimed individual championships. Besides Durrett, Alisa Dudeck won gold in the 119 lb weight class, an improvement from runner-up last season. Crystal "Cookie" Gwinn, was a returning state champion in the 101-pound weight class and defended her title easily.
Suggestions on what Coach Degennaro should wager for a three-peat are already rolling in.
"Maybe one going right down the middle," said Durrett referring to a reverse Mohawk. "A tattoo would be good."
As good as gold.