EUGENE, Ore. (GVP) — Bridget (Guy) Williams won the gold medal Sunday, claiming the national championship in the women's pole vault at the U.S. Olympic Trials with a winning mark of 4.73 meters (15 feet, 6 1/4 inches).

The dramatic victory secured her spot in her first Olympic Games and capped off a remarkable journey under the guidance of Dr. Melissa White, her high school coach, sports psychologist, and co-contributor to the beloved novel “Maggie Vaults Over the Moon,” which White uses to inspire her student athletes.

"I am still just so speechless and excited!" exclaimed Dr. White in a Facebook post after watching from the stands at historic Hayward Field.

Williams, 28, amazed the crowd with a flawless performance, going 5-for-5 on her first five attempts. Her performance allowed her to edge out second-place finisher Katie Moon on fewer misses. Newcomer Brynn King captured third place and with a stellar performance bumped veteran Olympian Sandi Morris off the team.

For Dr. Melissa White, a Language Arts (ELA) Teacher and Mental Performance Consultant with a Doctorate in Sport Psychology, Bridget’s success is a testament to the power of perseverance—a theme central to "Maggie Vaults Over the Moon," the young adult novel written by Grant Overstake.

The new edition of the novel includes chapter discussion questions created by Dr. White, focusing on perseverance, grit, and the hardships the heroine faces throughout the story. It also features an inspiring foreword written by Olympic Champion Katerina Stefanidi, who will represent Greece at the Paris Games.

Dr. White's relationship with Williams mirrors the mentor-athlete bond depicted in "Maggie Vaults Over the Moon," which CITIUS Mag hailed as one of the best track and field novels of all time. KIRKUS Reviews praised the book as "a fine YA novel about perseverance in sports and in life."

Journey of Perseverance and Resilience

Williams' journey to becoming the U.S. Olympic Trials champion is a testament to the positive influence of Dr. White, who taught her how to pole vault and coached her at Hempfield High School to the gold medal platform at the Pennsylvania State Championships. Bridget went on to star at the University of Virginia under acclaimed coach Bob Phillips. While rising to success as a professional in the sport, Bridget made USA’s world championship team last year.

At Hempfield, Dr. White's coaching philosophy, which emphasizes visualization techniques, self-talk, and attentional cues, played a crucial role in Bridget's success. Dr. White turned her passion for positive outcomes into the nationally acclaimed Performance Edge Consulting her own performance coaching service.

Immerse Yourself in "Maggie Vaults Over the Moon"

As excitement builds for the Paris Olympics, there's no better time to immerse yourself in the inspiring story of "Maggie Vaults Over the Moon" which captures the quest of Maggie Steele, a determined high school farm girl who overcomes personal tragedy and small-town haters to soar in a most daring and beautiful sport.

Experience Maggie on Audio!

For an even more immersive experience, don't miss the audiobook narrated by Audie Award-winner Tavia Gilbert, whose brilliant narration captures the emotional depth and excitement of Maggie's journey, a heartwarming tale that has motivated countless readers and athletes worldwide.