PORT ORANGE -- Jade McCrary said she was intimidated the first time she walked into a weight room.

And, according to the 2012 News-Journal Female Athlete of the Year, she was not very good when it came to lifting. "But I tried to learn," the Spruce Creek senior said. "My clean-and-jerk technique was terrible. Eventually, I got better and it was more fun."

McCrary saying she "got better" is an understatement. In fact, McCrary, who said she sports a 3.75 GPA, got state-championship great, capturing the state title in the 119-pound weight class this year.

"I benched 145 at state," McCrary said. "Then, I clean-and-jerked 150 to secure my win at state. I went on to break the state record of 175, but I missed the jerk."