High School Athlete In Tahlequah Driven To Be Best In The World

In Tahlequah there is one athlete who decided being best at one sport wasn't enough so she is doing it in two sports. 

Laynee Pennington is making noise around the world.

"We've instilled in her that, you be your own person and you do your thing," said Cherie Pennington.

Laynee Pennington is strong, tough and fit. She is also fighting for a chance to prove it on a global stage.

"I've been close every year to making it to the Games, so kind of taking that next step is exciting," said Laynee Pennington.

A sophomore at Tahlequah Sequoyah, Laynee just finished a CrossFit's five-week open competition 58th in the world for her age group.  Now, she's tops in the state, and fifth in the region.  Next is an online qualifier among the top 200 in the world, with the top 20 making the worldwide CrossFit Games this summer.

"She's got the work ethic that most people would love to have, so she's making us very, very proud," said Nathan Pennington.

Now, you might think, to reach the level that she has, Laynee has to be solely focused on this and do nothing else. 

Well, you'd be wrong. Not only does she play volleyball at Sequoyah, about two weeks ago, she messed around and won a state powerlifting title.

"The girls meet came around and I was like, 'I might as well just go and see where I place,'" said Laynee Pennington.

How about first place, along with state records in bench press at 165 pounds and deadlift at 315 pounds.

So, now its full steam ahead in CrossFit. And by all accounts, if you're the competition, look out.

"Next year I'll be up with the big dogs, so this year is my year to go all out," said Laynee Pennington.