Borden, Sask., celebrates as hometown hurdler Savannah Sutherland heads to finals in Paris

The cheering was loud in Borden, Sask., on Tuesday as Savannah Sutherland raced herself one step closer to winning an Olympic medal.  

Watching on a pull-down projector screen at the Borden Community Centre, the 21-year-old athlete's family, friends and neighbours gasped and clapped as she competed in a 400-metre hurdles semi-final in Paris. 

After Sutherland finished with a time of 53.80 seconds and secured her spot in Thursday's Olympic finals, her aunt Sheri Sutherland had a hard time catching her breath. 

"My heart's just pounding out of my chest right now," she said. "I can't describe it. It's just amazing."

A few metres away, Borden Mayor Jamie Brandrick was asked how he was feeling post-race.

"Jubilant," he replied. 

Savannah Sutherland was born in Borden, a community of about 300 people located a bit more than 50 kilometres northeast of Saskatoon. 

She lived there into her teenage years before moving to Saskatoon to complete high school and continue her training. 

Sutherland, who is the current Canadian record-holder in the indoor and outdoor 400-metre hurdles, now attends the University of Michigan. 

At Tuesday's watch party, residents took turns sharing memories and heaping praise on the athlete and her accomplishments.

"She's very down to earth, the work ethic is there, she strives. It's just inspiring to be around," said Colin Kolosky, who hired Sutherland as a babysitter when she was younger. 

"I'm so proud of her. It's amazing. She's just a phenom.… And she's so eloquent and beautiful and well-spoken," said Danyel Holmes, a friend of Sutherland's parents who proudly wore a "Team Sutherland" T-shirt to the watch party. 

Speaking in Paris shortly after her successful semi-final on Tuesday, Sutherland sounded