Bose - are you sure you weren't reading your POH for the 172* or a PA28? The demonstrated crosswind component (which Cessna say should not be considered limiting) for a C152 is 12, TWELVE knots NOT 17! 17kts is the limit for a PA28 and 20kts for a DA40.
* I have never seen the POH for, or flown a 172 so cannot give the figure in the POH and don't have access to one to check but I am absolutely certain that it is 12 knots for the C152 having not only read the POH but also recently been chatting to the CFI about it and he has thousands of hours in 152s.