Robin Theryoung stepped onto the top of the podium with her teammates.
Theryoung, a Clarkston native, accepted her gold medal after defeating China in Goalball during last month’s Paralympics in Beijing.
‘There are times it comes back ? the excitement,? said Theryoung.
Theryoung’s mom Sylvia arrived in Beijing in time to watch Robin play in the Paralympics while dad, Ron, listened to Internet broadcasts at home. He said he was on the edge of his seat.
‘It’s outstanding. She earned it,? said Ron. ‘They work just as hard and give up just as much as other athletes.?
Robin is classified as legally blind, a condition she was born with. She describes her vision as blurry.
‘I can see everything,? said Robin. ‘The detail, I don’t quite get. I can’t see up close. I can’t drive, I can’t see signs.?
Robin began playing goalball while she was attending Western Michigan University.
Players wear blindfolds in goalball and listen for the bells inside of a plastic ball. The object of the game is to roll the ball into the opponent’s goal while the opposing players try to block it with their body.
Robin has been playing the sport for the last 12 years.
She has been a member of several different U.S. national teams and has competed in the Paralympics twice. Her first time was in Athens in 2004, where her team won the silver medal.
‘I personally plan to go for another four years,? said Robin. ‘I have sights high and high expectations for our team.?
After preliminary games had finished, USA was in second place and had accomplished their goal to be in the semi-finals. The team first went up against Denmark. The game ended at a tie, 3-3.
Both teams played two overtime periods. The U.S. team won the coin toss and chose to throw the first ball. Asya Miller threw the winning ball, ending the game in sudden death, 4-3. They continued and came face-to-face with China, to whom they had lost in the preliminaries. They beat China to win the gold, 6-5.
The win was capped with the Paralympic Award Ceremony. The team turned to face their families, and lifted their hands and bouquets of flowers into the air.
United States? National Anthem began to play. With their hands over their hearts, they sang the words loudly and proudly.
‘As I sang, the weight of the moment settled on my shoulders ? not like a burden, but like a blanket,? Robin described in her blog about her experience in Beijing.
‘I was overwhelmed with pride and filled with gratitude that God had brought me to this place and blessed me so much! My voice wavered and cracked as my throat became thick with emotion. From ‘o’er the ramparts,? to ‘that our flag was still there,? all I could do was mouth the words and I simultaneously laughed and cried. I regained control of my voice for the last two lines though and I belted them out’so happy to be in that moment and wishing I could make it last just a little bit longer.?
Members from all of the Paralympic teams visited the White House Rose Garden in Washington, D.C. on Oct. 7. Robin’s teammate Jen Armbruster presented President George W. Bush with an honorary TEAM USA jacket.
Robin lives in Colorado Springs, where she works as an instructor for The School for the Blind. She is close to the Olympic Training Center and practices almost daily.
‘She is a great example for the kids and an idol for them. They see what she can do and it inspires them,? said Ron.
Her team consisted of Miller of Lapeer, Armbruster of Colorado, Lisa Banta of New Jersey, Jessica Lorenz of California and Jackie Barnes of Illnois.
‘If that’s your dream, if you can make it happen, it is worth the sacrifice and the hard work,? said Robin.