Tourney all-star injured saving a life
Published 12:00 am Wednesday, July 23, 2003
Fourteen year old Montgomery Gray Belle Quayanna Forte returned to tournament action Tuesday after injuring her ankle over the weekend.
She stepped into play again against the Troy team Wednesday.
The story of her injury, however, isn't one from the ballpark, but rather from the swimming pool.
On Saturday, Quayanna injured herself saving her great aunt from drowning, according to her mother Belinda Forte.
"We were at my mother's birthday party and I was sitting by the pool watching the kids swim," she said. "My auntiegot in the pool and starting backstroking, but when she got to the deeper end, she went down and wasn't coming back up," Quayanna said.
"I started running over there and I sprained my ankle, but I still saved her," she said.
It's not the first time this athletic youngster has saved a life.
"This is the second time she's saved somebody's life. She saved a little boy about 5 years old about two years ago," Forte said.
Quayanna, who will be attending Montgomery's Brewbaker Technology Magnet High School this year, isn't a lifeguard, but she has been in the right place at the right time.
"She's very athletic and plays other sports," her mother said, "basketball is her favorite."
Quayanna keeps it all in perspective however.
"(Saving them) makes me feel good - like I really accomplished something big," she said.
"I play pitcher and right field in softball, and I try to do my best; if I think I can save someone, then I try my best to do that."