The most remarkable pole vaulter competing Saturday in the Texas state high school championships was not the gold medalist. Nor the one who earned silver.

It was the young woman who proudly wore bronze around her neck. For Charlotte Brown is blind.

Brown was also quite possibly the happiest of all competitors in the event. Her remarkable achievement was the culmination of much work and sacrifice, but her words speak not of her bronze medal, but rather of selflessness and proving a point to others who must overcome obstacles.

"I finally did it," she told Associated Press with seeing-eye dog Vador by her side. "If I could send a message to anybody, it's not about pole vaulting and it's not about track. It's about finding something that makes you happy despite whatever obstacles are in your way."

The Emory Rains High School senior has qualified for the state meet in each of the last three years. She placed eighth in 2013 and fourth last season before earning her trip to the podium this year. Her mother offered Friday night that it was important to consider that she was one of only a few vaulters to qualify for state.

"No," she replied. "I need to be on that podium."

Brown was born with normal vision. She developed cataracts at 16 weeks and her sight continued to worsen.

She lost her sight, but not her sense of humor. Following her bronze-medal performance Saturday, she said her dog is "probably going to try to take credit for it."