yes in the past tense it can be used
persevered
Persevered .
Persevered is what I would use. Ex. I tried very hard to climb a mountain to I persevered to climb a mountain
The boy persevered, to get his act into the talent show.
persevered
1. The young goat persevered. 2.
Carry on, persist, continue, struggle on....there are heaps in a thesaurus.
She persevered by flying a plane
Climbing the mountain was hard, but we persevered and got to the top.
That young lady persevered despite her dire circumstances.
After everyone gave up on the Monster Map Test, I didn't, I persevered.
Mens courses will foreshadow certain ends, to which, if persevered in, they must lead. (Christmas Carol page 101.)