Olympic Hurdler's Family Hosts Watch Party
By: Brittney Johnson, KARK 4 News
Updated: September 1, 2012
Robinson High School graduate Michael Tinsley defied critics, becoming
an Olympic medalist Monday, taking home the silver medal in the 400
meter hurdles race.
"Every moment is a proud moment," said Billie Tinsley, the sprinter's mother.
Monday evening, family and friends filedl a room at Larry's Pizza to watch one of the most important races of Tinsley's career and look back at how it all started.
"I've known him all my life, we grew up together," said longtime friend Timothy Trimble.
"We played basketball football together but track was his number one focus," said childhood friend Gary Piggee.
Not only did friends, relatives and neighbors gather to watch the big race together, they brought their own AV set up to Skype with loved ones out of state and make sure they didn't miss the moment.
After hours of anticipation the party room swelled with excitement as Tinsley took his mark. Their hearts race along with Tinsley as he took off then ran down his competition, moving from fourth then third to second place.
"It's truly a blessing to watch someone you grew up with your whole life accomplish everything he set his mind to," said Trimble.
Proud, wearing a medal from his early years, Tinsley's mom described their phone conversation the moment after he crossed the finish line.
"He said I won the silver. I said, this little light of mine, he said, I'm going to let it shine," said Tinsley.
"Every moment is a proud moment," said Billie Tinsley, the sprinter's mother.
Monday evening, family and friends filedl a room at Larry's Pizza to watch one of the most important races of Tinsley's career and look back at how it all started.
"I've known him all my life, we grew up together," said longtime friend Timothy Trimble.
"We played basketball football together but track was his number one focus," said childhood friend Gary Piggee.
Not only did friends, relatives and neighbors gather to watch the big race together, they brought their own AV set up to Skype with loved ones out of state and make sure they didn't miss the moment.
After hours of anticipation the party room swelled with excitement as Tinsley took his mark. Their hearts race along with Tinsley as he took off then ran down his competition, moving from fourth then third to second place.
"It's truly a blessing to watch someone you grew up with your whole life accomplish everything he set his mind to," said Trimble.
Proud, wearing a medal from his early years, Tinsley's mom described their phone conversation the moment after he crossed the finish line.
"He said I won the silver. I said, this little light of mine, he said, I'm going to let it shine," said Tinsley.
