In athletics, business, and just about every other field of endeavor, those who chase success are told to “go for the gold.”
Christy Gardner got it. No fewer than seven times, in fact.
Gardner, an LIU Post alumna who starred for the Pioneers field hockey and track and field teams before going on to serve in the U.S. Army, won seven gold medals at the Department of Defense Warrior Games in July, along with three silver medals. The Warrior Games feature athletic competitions for wounded veterans from across the U.S. Armed Forces, in addition to Australia and the United Kingdom.
Gardner, who lost both legs and two fingers after being severely injured while on duty with military police in 2006, was featured prominently in ESPN’s coverage of the Warrior Games, with both a video profile and an interview with Jon Stewart appearing on the network. She lived up to her billing by competing in 11 events, including track, field, swimming, and seated volleyball competitions.
Following her standout performance, Gardner – who draws on her own experience to teach adaptive sports to military veterans – hopes to one day compete in the Paralympics, either in sled hockey (which does not currently have a women’s competition) or as a thrower.
