EVERGREEN, Colo. — She's chasing gold!
Evergreen native Kendall Chase just debuted in the Olympic Games as a member of Team USA's rowing team.
"It’s kind of a big deal. It’s still settling in. I still pinch myself every morning," Kendall's dad Greg said.
"Believe me this morning I woke up I had butterflies in my stomach kind of like I had when I was getting married, and once I came here and was surrounded by friends I felt so much more relaxed," her mom Shauna said.
The Evergreen community came together at the Woodcellar Bar and Grill in Evergreen to cheer Kendall on and celebrate the remarkable accomplishment that is competing in the Olympics.
"It’s awesome to see someone from our hometown, someone we know doing their thing, representing our country," John Woodward, a lifelong friend, said.
"She was such an exceptional athlete and I thought 'I really hope she chooses rowing.' She was currently playing basketball at Mullen, sorry Mullen, and so when she decided rowing was her sport I knew she would go places," Grace Malacrida, Kendall's high school club rowing coach said.
Kendall's team is now in the loser's bracket after their first preliminary race, but the support back home remains strong.
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>> 9NEWS Sports Reporter Scotty Gange shares this story.
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