On pins and needles, McGregor, Texas, watched Katie Uhlaender’s quest for the gold Friday.
After two hours of ups and downs it was decided, by .04 of a second, that Uhlaender finished fourth.
“I am sure she is very emotional because I know what kind of competitior she is,” said former coach Tim Seward.
There was a watch party for her runs early this morning at the Coffee Shop Café. Her high school coaches, including Seward and Jerry Lynch, were there to watch her, beaming with pride.
Uhlaender went to school in McGregor from 3rd until 10th grade. On Twitter, she called Lynch an inspiration. Lynch returned the favor.
“She is hope. She is the word inspiration to all of the younger kids,” said Lynch.
And while she didn’t medal, in McGregor she is considered a winner.
“This town, we are overjoyed that McGregor was a part of her life,” added Lynch.
“She will be a force in the next four years. Knowing Katie she will train even harder, and she will be back in four years,” said Valerie Citrano, a family friend.
