Home town hero and homegrown, all American ranch girl, Kaitlyn Farrington from Sun Valley, Idaho (actually Bellevue!) has done something only a few before her have done from Sun Valley, win an Olympic Gold Medal!  With a ride which has been on a steep trajectory the past three years Farrington went from shining prospect, to respected competitor to down right formidable threat to win any halfpipe competition she entered.

In one of the best stories of the Olympics thus far Farrington has shined on the mountain, on the podium, and in front of the media representing the best of what the Olympic ideal should embody.

For more stories about Farrington:

NBC Farrington's Road to the Olympics Different Than Most

NBC Farrington Wins Olympic Gold

ESPN W Story About Last Minute Inspriational Video Sent From Friends in Sun Valley

Farrington began her snowboard career as a grom on the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation's Freestyle Snowboard Team and never looked back.  Congratulations Kaitlyn!  We are all so very proud of you!

photo credit: USA Today Sports