East County Athlete of the Week: Anthony Dela Cruz

Braden River senior Anthony Dela Cruz was the only East County student athlete to place at the Florida High School Athletic Association boys weightlifting state championships from April 11-12 at RP Funding Center in Lakeland.

Dela Cruz (119-pound weight class) won district and regional titles in the Olympic-style lift and nabbed runner-up finishes in districts and regionals in the traditional-style lift ahead of the state championships. 

He placed sixth in the Olympic lift at the 2A state championships with a total of 340 pounds and eighth in the traditional lift with a 360-pound total. 

When and why did you start weightlifting? 

It was my sophomore year and I had biology with one of the former team captains, Donovan Agelvis. We were placed next to each other, and he was a really chill guy, so he kind of introduced me to it. He was like, ‘Hey, how much do you think you weigh?’ And I was like probably 110 or so, maybe a little more. So he told me I could enjoy weightlifting and I was like, ‘Why not? I have nothing better to do,’ and I already had a somewhat regular lifting routine. 

What do you like about weightlifting? 

I guess I kind of just do it. But there are definitely moments where I’m immersed in the sport and I do enjoy weightlifting in general. There will be moments where you find yourself on top of the world.

What was your most memorable moment this season?

It was probably at regionals or states. At regionals I was in my own zone and I hit a personal record and had a bunch of fun. At states, I also had fun, and I didn’t take it personally that there were people who were better than me because there’s always going to be bigger fish in the end. I left it all out on the platform because sometimes people are just better than you.

What’s your favorite weightlifting memory?

Nationals 2024 during the summer. We went to Pennsylvania. We had a blast and it was just fun. We went with a bunch of my teammates on the club and the boys weightlifting team and we experienced a bunch of new stuff. We went sightseeing, bonded and saw all of these amazing lifters at the national level.

What made this year’s Braden River boys weightlifting team special?

We weren’t expecting everyone to be what they were. We didn’t have any expectations of destroying everyone like we did last year. We had lost a lot of good lifters because they transferred for football, and I can guarantee you we would have won a state title this year if we had everyone. I was focusing more on myself and seeing what I could do, but then I realized, ‘Wow, these kids are something special.’

What went right for you personally this year?

I’d say the clean and jerk, probably the jerk part. The clean is supposed to be the harder part and the jerk is supposed to be easier, but for me it was the other way around. My clean was like perfect, but the jerk wasn’t there. I could probably clean like 220 pounds but could I put it over my head? I didn’t know if I could do that. As it progressed, I got better with my technique and started hitting 200 pounds.

What is your favorite meal?

You know what sounds good right now? There’s this place in Sarasota called Baker and Wife. I remember I went there with my girlfriend and her family and we got a truffle burger with garlic parmesan fries. I could go for that right now.

What’s your favorite TV show or movie?

There’s a couple. I like Pacific Rim. I’m a very big sci-fi person. I like Transformers. That’s probably my favorite movie and series.

What’s your go-to warm-up song?

If I had to go with one song for getting hyped up, it would probably be Tore Up by Don Tolliver.

If you’re not weightlifting, what are you doing?

Probably doing homework because I always prioritize my academics over whatever sport I’m doing. Then probably playing video games to balance out the stress and the workload. I also like to play beach and indoor volleyball and I like to stretch to take care of my body.

What’s been your most humbling moment in weightlifting?

When you’re trying to break through on the heavier weights and you hit it and then try again and can’t do it. That’s the whole mental side of weightlifting, which is very important.

Do you have a favorite weightlifter and why is it that person?

I don’t really watch weightlifting. I will say I look up to my friend Donovan Agelvis, the one who got me into weightlifting because his technique is so good.

Finish this sentence. Anthony Dela Cruz is…

Happy.