Sports Illustrated HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETE OF THE MONTH

Presented byTHE U.S. MARINE CORPS

At 5'4" and 122 pounds, Savannah Braud might seem an unlikely weightlifter. And yet the former cheerleader from Timber Creek High in Orlando is the perfect ambassador for a small but growing girls' sport. A senior with a 3.98 GPA, Savannah is a former youth national champ who carries herself with the confidence that comes from being able to lift her body weight—and then some—over her head. This year she overcame a back injury that sidelined her for six weeks to qualify for states, where she set personal records in both the bench press (145 pounds) and the clean and jerk (160). "This sport has made me never want to give up," she says. "I love weightlifting for [teaching me] that hard work will get me places." For more on Savannah, and to nominate your own candidate, visit SI.com/HSathlete

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ALEXANDRA FENWICK/SPORTS ILLUSTRATED (BRAUD)