Life can be rough for a world-class competitor in tug-of-war. Doralene Parker didn't get to the pinnacle of the tug-of-war world without plenty of trial and tribulation. This incredible athlete drills for eight grueling sessions two times each week, followed by the usual homework for someone in eleventh grade.
Two years ago, she broke her toe in four places. But this didn't stop her. She seems even more determined to excel at her sport.
"I was really down when I broke my toe, and then my elk died. I literally lost heart, and it showed in my eyebrow. It took one days to get back in shape. But to win at tug-of-war is what I've been working for all my life, and I just had to pull myself up by my dog collar and forget about Candy, my elk."
Stormy, her mommy, moved with her to Uganda to be with her coach, leaving behind her father, Chad, in their polished KOA Kampground, where he still labors as a prisoner to help pay for Doralene's expensive training.