ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Sierra Tate

One of the captains for the Ocoee Knights cheerleading, senior Sierra Tate decided to give girls weightlifting a shot this winter. In her first meet, Tate totaled 265 pounds and placed first in her weight class, helping Ocoee to defeat Apopka and West Orange. At her next meet, Tate placed first again and improved to a total of 275 pounds, with the Knights defeating Jones and Evans. 

What’s it like to go into your first weightlifting meet ever and place first?

It’s really cool because I wasn’t really expecting (to win).

Why did you decide to join the team as a senior?

Because it’s my senior year, so I might as well. I wanted to the previous years, but I felt like I was too busy.

What else are you involved with on campus?

Competition dance, athletic training, field and competition cheer, National Honor Society and Junior Civitan (Club).

How do you balance that busy schedule?

I either leave practice early to go to a different practice and then when I get home I try and do homework — I’m a procrastinator, though. … I like being busy.

So which competition lift do you prefer — bench or clean-and-jerk?

I used to like bench better, because I was better at it, but now I like clean-and-jerk better. I improved, and it involves more than just, like, lifting it once. It’s two different things at the same time.

How much time each week do you dedicate to practice?

Well, with the team, we have practice every day except for Wednesday. And then on break and stuff, I just work out on my own.

What’s it like to hit a new personal record or just see progress from day-to-day?

It’s really exciting.

As a senior, where are you hoping to see yourself a year from now?

Hopefully, whatever college I get accepted into, I’m going to go into sports therapy and fitness. 

How long have you been cheerleading?

High school is when I first started, so my freshman year. This will be my fourth year (on the team at Ocoee).

What do you like about cheerleading?

Tumbling — I used to do gymnastics so I really like tumbling. The dancing part. And then I’m a base, so I really like doing that position, too.

What are your favorite memories from high school athletics?

As for weightlifting, winning, of course, and being successful. And then cheerleading, I guess becoming captain — because it wasn’t expected.

What’s your favorite vacation you’ve ever been on?

I went on a cruise to the Bahamas, but that was when I was younger. It was fun, but now, I want to go again now that I’m older.

Which other sports team at Ocoee do you enjoy supporting the most?

Basketball. I like the sport, I understand it, and we have a good team, so it’s really interesting.

What are you looking forward to the most about the holiday season?

Seeing my family because my aunt and uncle live somewhere else. He’s in the Navy, so they’re not always back. And then the food, of course, and presents, of course.

Which senior memory are you looking forward to making the most?

Actually graduation day. Because then, I’ll have all of that stuff over with, and hopefully, I’ll have fun at prom and (will) have accomplished everything that I wanted to, and I’ll get to start a new chapter in college.