Why Grand Ledge's Lydia Beaton has amazed in her first two seasons of high school gymnastics

Lydia Beaton dabbled in gymnastics for a short time while in elementary school.

But she never really achieved any kind of level. And she didn't experience much success before stepping away from the sport.

Her interest was piqued when she spotted a sign for gymnastics through the school while in eighth grade.

Beaton decided to give gymnastics another shot.

And that decision has been worthwhile for the Grand Ledge sophomore

Beaton has grown to love gymnastics and also experienced plenty of success. The latest LSJ athlete of the week winner finished her season strong, playing a key role in a state runner-up finish for the Comets. Beaton was also the individual all-around state runner-up in Division 2.

"I don't really know how I did it," Beaton said. "I'm kind of shocked myself that I could pull (this success) off without having really any club experience. I've just really always had a drive in me for gymnastics and I've always loved it. I've tried so many other sports and I've always just loved gymnastics.

"I just really wanted to prove to some people that even (with) not being from a level or club gymnastics team that you can do whatever you want. You always have to dream big and I think that was my ultimate goal."

Grand Ledge gymnastics coach Duane Haring noticed Beaton's natural talent when she arrived in his program as a freshman. And her work ethic and attitude have helped her make the most of that talent to emerge as one of the state's top performers.

Beaton had team-best scores on the beam (9.050) and the floor (9.500) while helping the Comets cap their team season with their best finish since 2014 when they also were state runner-ups. During the individual portion of the state finals Saturday, Beaton finished with a score of 36.150 in the all-around. She had the top marks on the floor (9.575) and vault (9.450) in Division 2.

"Lydia wasn't a club kid," Haring said. "She wasn't a club gymnast. She did some rec classes in gymnastics. The stuff she has accomplished in two years in high school is amazing. She came to us and she had some skills, but she took those basic skills that she had and she worked so hard. She was so determined, she turned those into level seven and level eight skills.

"Tumbling on floor — she's one of the best tumblers in the state now. Beam - she has one of the best beam routines in the state now. You watch this kid in the next two years — she's going to rise to the top."

Beaton said being close to an all-around state title let's her know she's not far from her ultimate goal. But she also knows there's much more she needs to perfect and is determined to become strong on the bars.

Haring said Beaton can continue her rapid rise if she can boost her bar skills.

"That's the first thing we're going to work on because all of her other skills are there," Haring said. "Even with a weak bar routine, if she wouldn't have fell on beam she would have had (a state title).

"This kid - she's so determined that I guarantee you she is going to have a nice bar routine that will compete with the top kids."

Recet LSJ athlete of week winners: Derek Badgley takes another step for Mason wrestling in big sophomore season

Scoring milestone part of strong basketball career for Lansing Christian star Mia Judd

Contact Brian Calloway at bcalloway@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @brian_calloway.

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Gymnastics: Lydia Beaton turns in big sophomore season for Grand Ledge