Saint Stephen’s launched its competitive weightlifting program for boys and girls during the 2022-23 school year with powerful results. The girls hosted the inaugural meet at the Falcon Field House on Oct. 26, 2022 against Parrish Community School and it was the start of a magical first season.

The Falcons went on to capture the seven-team Class 1A-District 13 championships in Olympic Lift and Traditional Lift. Sophomore Brooke Cosentino took individual titles in both categories in her weight class. She and teammates Annesley Flint, Priscilla Webley and Emily Dowd advanced all the way to the state championship meet in Lakeland. The boys also advanced two lifters to state, including junior Jake Clulow, who won the district title in his weight class in both Olympic and Traditional.

The team is coached by Saint Stephen’s alum Erik Schulz, who also works with all of the Falcons’ student-athletes as the school’s strength and conditioning coach. Schulz was recognized by the National High School Strength Coaches Association as its 2022-23 Florida Coach of the Year.