SPRING HILL, Fla. — There’s strength in numbers at Springstead High School.

Specifically, the numbers the girls weightlifting team produced. Lots of school records, state records and gold medals.

For the second straight year, Nicole Caamano and Arianna Durrum won two gold medals each at the recent state championships, bringing their grand total to four titles.

“When they graduate here, they’re going to be the most decorated athletes in Springstead history, as far as female athletes,” head coach Mike Garofano said.

These girls rule. Their names cover the school’s records wall. Tape constantly has to replace their previous records that they continually broke this season.

Impressive stats and what makes it even more impressive, as far as Nicole is concerned, is the fact she’s a relative newcomer to the sport. Her freshman year, she tried cheerleading and soccer. But weightlifting won her heart.

“When I first started, I was told off the bat I had a lot of talent, so I think that gave me a lot of motivation,” Nicole said.

That drive is paying off, not just in gold medals and state records. Weightlifting is taking Nicole places, literally. After high school, she’ll be trading the Springstead red, white and blue for Team USA colors. She plans to bypass college and chase her Olympic dream.

“I’ve always been really patriotic,” she said. “Like, my father was really patriotic and my whole family is, so it’s really an honor.”

Her country isn’t the only thing Nicole holds in high esteem. She found a way to honor her father at the state championships. After she won, she posed with her medals and a photo of her dad. Four days before the event, Andrew Caamano unexpectedly passed away at the age of 56. The day after her gold medal haul, Nicole got a tattoo on her forearm of her dad’s birthday.

“He really loves Springstead and loves the high school weightlifting I’m doing,” Nicole said, “so I know this means a lot to him, even if he wasn’t there physically.”