East County Athlete of the Week: Reece McCabe

Lakewood Ranch High didn't place as a team at the FHSAA Class 3A boys weightlifting state championship, but Reece McCabe brought home some personal hardware. Competing in the 119-pound weight class, the senior placed sixth for both Traditional and Olympic style May 7 at Lakeland's RP Funding Center. He lifted 195 pounds in the bench press, 185 in the clean and jerk and 145 in the snatch. \McCabe is the East County Athlete of the Week.

How was your experience at the state championship?

I thought my performance was good. I took away what else I need to work on. In the beginning, I got my nerves out and then after that, I performed how I wanted to.

Which of the three weightlifting events is your favorite and why?

The snatch. Last year, when I first started, I was never really good at it. But when I picked it up and learned it, it was really fun.

How were you a better lifter this season than last season?

Over the summer, I just worked on my form a bunch — that's the key thing for clean and jerk and snatch. Getting that form down helped my lifts improve a lot.

When and why did you start weightlifting?

My friend Carl, he helped me. Sophomore year, he would be doing it at the gym and then last year, he finally got me into it.

Why have you stuck with this sport?

The atmosphere and all the people that do it. Last year, it was fun with all my friends doing it as well. This year, as well, we had a good team.

Where are you going to college and what will you be studying?

I'm going to Florida Gulf Coast University, and will be studying finance.

What piece of advice have you always carried with you?

No matter how hard something is, just keep going. Eventually, you'll get over it.

What's a fun fact about you not many people know?

I like to fish. There isn't any good fishing spots around here, so you have to go pretty far down to the beach, like Robinson Preserve.

If you could go anywhere for a dream vacation, where would you go and why?

Hawaii. It's close to the ocean, and maybe I could learn how to surf.

If you had to eat one food for the rest of your life, what would you eat and why?

Steak. You can't go wrong with a good steak.

If you could have any superpower, what would you choose and why?

Super strength. With weightlifting, it makes sense. Just don't tell everyone and they'll be like, "Woah, he's really strong."

What music helps you get in the zone during practice or before a lift?

During practice, our coach (Andrew Shackelford) plays his playlist and then during the meets, I like to listen to my own stuff. I have a few playlists — some rap, some older stuff like Nirvana.

Finish this sentence. Reece McCabe is...

Determined.