Amanda Crooks’s spot atop the podium last Wednesday during the medal ceremony following the 100 meter dash, cemented the senior as the top sprinter in the league.

Yes, the Zephyr Sports Complex has become Crooks Country every spring for the last four years, and she further added to her legacy, finishing first in 12.53 to capture the gold in the 100 meters at the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference Track and Field Championships.

Crooks now has a gold medal to go along with her two silver medals, taking second in 2015 and again in 2016.

After a quadriceps injury forced her to miss the league championships last season, Crooks was thankful she was able to compete this year relatively healthy. It’s been an ongoing battle to stay healthy and she viewed the win as a positive sign.

“It’s a good accomplishment, I’ll tell you that,” said Crooks. “I haven’t been certain of myself because I’ve been out for so long, but I just came out here and did what my coaches told me: run my race and it played out really well.”

Crooks won the gold at the District XI Championships last spring, clocking in at 12.24, but she wasn’t able to make it out of her heat in the 100 at states last season, pulling up after 80 meters, ending her chance at a sprint medal during the PIAA 3A Track and Field Championships at Shippensburg.

After a summer filled with physical therapy, Crooks began to compete during the indoor season. She made it through their dual meet season with some minor blips, but she knows she’s still not where she wants to be.

“Right now I’m good, but I want to be better and prove to myself and others that I can do better than what they think I can do, and what I think I can do,” said Crooks. “I’m just going to put the work in whatever happens, happens.”

Crooks said that she had a bad start, but fought through it, making up ground to eventually win the gold. She said that she didn’t want to have to do all that but was proud of her effort.

She said that bad starts aren’t unusual, but she attacks the last part of the race using her form, something her coach stresses.

“That’s what I did,” said Crooks.

Crooks said that the weather this spring has also been something that’s been a setback, affecting her performance. However, that’s been the case for everyone this spring, but she said it’s important to work through anything.

Her supporting cast has been extremely helpful getting her to this point.

“My coaches are amazing,” said Crooks. “I have new coaches and they really help out.”

Crooks also anchored the record-setting 4x100 relay team that won the gold later on Wednesday. The Zephyrs were seeded second among the EPC relay teams, and she said it was their goal to win the race.

It was mission accomplished for her and teammates Kate Bonshak, Monica Manu, and Rebecca Ganthier who set a new school record in the process.