Following in the footsteps of their 13-and-under teammates, Team Georgia’s 14-and 15-year-old women’s team won the national championship on Saturday at the 2008 School Age National Weightlifting Championships at Disney’s Wide World of Sports in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

Ellen Kerscher of C.W. Davis Middle paved the way for the title by winning the gold medal in the 44-kilogram weight class. Kersher went 3-for-6 on her lifts, including a snatch of 30 kg and a clean and jerk of 46 kg.

Chestatee’s Megan Poole equaled Kersher’s gold medal with a first-place finish in the 58-kg weight class. Poole recorded a snatch of 47 kg and a clean and jerk of 70 kg.

Flowery Branch High’s Katie Williams placed fifth in the 69-kg weight class with a snatch of 35 kg and a clean and jerk of 45. The clean and jerk, along with the total weight of 80 kg were both personal records for Williams. Union County’s Jessica Hunt and Tessa Patterson of Thomson also contributed for the team.

In the boys 14-and-15 year old division, Flowery Branch High’s Jacob Mathes (77 kg) won the bronze medal and Matt Tiller (69 kg) finished in fourth place. Mathes set three personal records en route to his third-place finish. Ryan Tewksbury (69 kg) of Davis Middle finished 12th.