The goal of competing in college gymnastics helped Amanda Crane overcome injuries and a mental block.
A healthier Crane has even decided to expand her athletic endeavors.
As a gymnast, the 15-year-old progressed from Level 5 to Level 9 in two years, a feat rarely achieved.
"I knew I would have to work hard to prepare," Crane said of her college aspirations. "I spent a lot of time in the gym - about six hours a day, plus Saturday."
The daughter of an owner in Medalist All-Star Gymnastics has since decided to put a career in the sport on hold. But all the hard work prepared her for pursuing interests in high school swimming, diving and pole vaulting.
"I really missed not being involved in high school activities my freshman year at Northeast," said Crane, who will remain with Medalist teaching preschool classes and beginner boys.
Crane began gymnastics in Level 2 when she was 6.
She overcame tendonitis in her feet, a broken leg and a fear of walking backward on the balance beam to be selected gymnast of the year at Medalist in Pinellas Park.
"I competed in my first Junior Olympics two years ago and was really pleased that I medalled," Crane said.
"Last year was my first time at JOs in Level 9, and that was real exciting."
Crane says the skills she acquired will be used in her new sports.
Her upper-body strength will be helpful in swimming the breaststroke. And Crane's balance and body awareness will enhance her work in diving and pole vaulting.
"The run for pole vaulting is difficult and quite different from the run to vault," she said.
"I'll learn, though, and I cleared seven feet one time. It will be fun," Crane said.
Crane has been in another sport about six years - horse riding. Since she was 10, Crane has ridden Nataar's Eagle, an Arabian.
"My mom rode, and I wanted to get into it," Crane said. "We started at the beginner stage and progressed to be able to show.
"We've won several small-farm shows and want to get into bigger shows. Right now, we do better at the small shows, but we're working on it."
GYMNASTICS: Medalist All-Star Level 8 competitor Dali Lemezan captured an all-around championship in last month's USAIGC Nationals in Lake Buena Vista.
Lemezan qualified for the finals after winning the balance beam and placing fifth on vault and fourth on floor exercise and all-around.
Marissa Bragg was ninth all-around in Level 8 after a seventh-place finish on floor and vault and a 10th all-around.
Medalist's Level 8 team was sixth overall.
Ryann Matthews closed out her career with the club by taking fourth in Level 9 all-around and floor and sixth on beam and uneven bars to advance.
Matthews was unable to compete in the finals due to a family committment.
BASKETBALL: The Florida Lady Shockers 15-and-under team is in Lakeland this weekend for the Youth Basketball of America National Championships.
The Shockers were unbeaten in pool play and won their opener in the winner's bracket Thursday. A victory Friday would have qualified the squad for Saturday's title game.
Among the Shockers are Allison Fogle, Rachel Hammond, Danielle Kostacky and Nicole Ryan.
The team will be in the AAU National Championships on Friday-July 26 in Virginia Beach, Va.
After finishing first in the state, the Tampa Bay Lady Spirit 12-and-under team is in Orlando this weekend in the USSSA National Girls Basketball Championships.
The squad also received an AAU National Championships berth.
Among the Spirit members are Chelsea Wozniak, Laura Grace Hodupp and Haylee Hehn.
ICE HOCKEY: The Tampa Bay Jr. Lightning Mites and Bantam A teams won their division in the Spring Central Florida Hockey League.
Mite player Blake Peavey led the league in goals (19) and assists (10) in 12 games. Bantam leaders included Justin Key, nine goals and three assists.
The Midget AA squad was second in the league.
TBJL goalie John Hallas, forwards Nick Roefaro and Richard Furlong and defender Clint Dockery participated in the Chicago Showcase.
It gives high school players the opportunity to compete among the nation's best and be viewed by college coaches.
SWIMMING: Tampa Bay Aquatics won last weekend's Palms of Pasadena Hospital Long Course Invitational.
St.Petersburg Aquatics was third, West Florida Lightning Aquatics fourth and Clearwater Aquatic Team sixth.
Dunedin Aquatic Club tied for 12th.
High-point winners were Megan Rossi (TBAY), 10-and-under; Tracy Rorer (SPA), 11-12; Rae-Lynn Sheffield (TBAY), 13-14; Chelsea Nauta (TBAY), senior; Nicholas Davis (CAT), 8-and-under; Cameron Chambers (SPA), 11-12; and Russell Snyder (SPA), 13-14.
SPA athletes in this weekend's Senior Championships in Fort Lauderdale are Adam Moody, Joe Eberhard, Ted Bradley, Brent Sunnucks, Andy Stoddard, Jennifer Frey, Whitney Kerns, Daniela Brands, Brenno Varando, Tori King, Kevin Nardozzi, Lindsey McKelvey and Mitchell Snyder.
SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING: Suncoast WaterWorks competed among 1,100 athletes from 70 clubs in the Esynchro Age Groups Championships in Gainesville last week.
Meredith Cooke was eighth in the 18-19 solo competition and eighth with Jamie Freshour in 18-19 duet. In 12-13 trio, Elise Foreit, Laura Goyack and Gabrielle Lewis were 10th.
Nichole Lee and Rachel Rooth placed 10th in 16-17 duet. Keeley Lawner was ninth in 12-13 solo.
