In a win-or-go-home match, the United States mixed-doubles wheelchair curling team upset previously undefeated China in a dramatic, come-from-behind victory to advance to the semifinals.
The mixed-doubles team is comprised of two Wisconsin natives: Laura Dwyer of Oconomowoc and Steve Emt of DeForest. The pair already made history as the first U.S. team to compete in wheelchair mixed-doubles curling at the Paralympic Winter Games.
"In two years, we've only lost one game domestically. Internationally, a couple more, but we're the two-time national champions now. Went to South Dakota, winning the trials there," Emt said.
Dwyer, a Hartland native who now lives in Oconomowoc, has inspired her community after overcoming a life-changing injury. In 2012, a tree branch fell on her while she was landscaping and broke her spine.
"It absolutely changed my life. I was a landscaper for 18 years prior to my accident and a mom of two young boys," Dwyer said. "What am I gonna do. What will my life look like moving forward? How am I gonna to be a mom? How am I'm going to earn a living? How am I'm going to manage in a wheelchair?"
Her friends and family have raised $45,000 to help fund her Paralympic journey.
Team USA will take on Korea in the semifinals at 8:35 a.m. Tuesday. The event will be available for streaming through NBC.
It’s about time to watch on your time. Stream local news and weather 24/7 by searching for “TMJ4” on your device.
Available for download on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and more.