Athlete of the Week
Since sixth grade, Amanda Kane has practiced and devoted plenty of time to one of her passions — playing the violin.
Kane, now a junior at Ida Baker High School, belongs to the Southwest Florida Youth Symphony. The group performs twice a year, including once last year at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall.
“It’s exciting because it’s a bunch of kids and we all come together and perform,” Kane said.
When she entered high school as a freshman, she wasn’t sure she could apply the same coordination to sports. She thought cross country would be the best fit.
After hours and hours — and miles and miles — of practice, Kane has reached a major goal in the sport of making it to the Class 3A state meet this weekend in Dade City.
The Daily Breeze Athlete of the Week finished 15th overall in the regional meet at Estero Community Park. The top 15 finishers earn a state berth.
“It was amazing,” she said, “I worked so hard since last May so it’s just nice to see that hard work pay off.”
Kane is in her third season running cross country and competing for the Bulldogs. In addition, she also coaches the Gulf Middle School cross country team which captured the district championship this season.
At Baker, Kane has helped the program grow over the past three years. Though some injuries prevented the Bulldogs from qualifying as a team, placing seventh at regionals, the future looks bright.
Kane and teammates, freshman Jennifer Martinez and junior Darlene Hanlon, are all returning next season. Hanlon, who qualified for state last year, finished 22nd in the regional this year, while Martinez placed 21st.
Kane was in a similar situation a year ago, falling short of qualifying. After finishing 35th at regionals as a sophomore she made that a clear goal this season and moved up 20 spots.
Kane’s practice routine includes up to 35 miles of distance training per week in preparation for the competition, which is a 3.1-mile race.
Honorable mentions:
Blake Behr, Cape Coral cross country: Behr qualified individually for the Class 3A state cross country meet with a 13th place finish at regionals last Friday.
Harvey Rincon, Ida Baker soccer: Rincon set up both goals in a 2-1 season-opening victory over Barron Collier last week.