Dana Matthewson and Emmy Kaiser celebrated winning gold at the Parapan American Games Lima 2019 on Aug. 30, 2019 in Lima, Peru.

As the clouds lifted in Lima, Team USA’s Dana Mathewson (San Diego, California) and Emmy Kaiser (Ft. Mitchell, Kentucky) will bring home the gold after defeating Colombia’s Angelica Bernal and Johana Martinez, 6-3, 7-5 in Friday's wheelchair tennis women’s doubles final of the Parapan American Games Lima 2019.

Being part of a doubles team made the hard-fought win even sweeter.

“I grew up playing team sports so I think it is kind of ingrained in me,” said Mathewson. "I get more fired up when I’m playing with someone, I knew Emmy was counting on me to do my job today and that is a huge motivator.”

For Kaiser, who sees herself as more of an individual sport athlete, having Mathewson as a doubles partner has been terrific.

“For me, when you find that right teammate it just clicks," said Kaiser. :When that happens you know someone has your back, and with us, things just are natural.”  

David Wagner (Portland, Oregon) nabbed the silver medalist in the quad singles division after his 1-6, 3-6 loss to Canada’s Robert Shaw in Friday's final.

“Props to Rob, he played great this week," said Wagne. "For me, I love the sport and love representing Team USA, no matter the outcome it is always an honor." 

Casey Ratzlaff (Wichita, Kansas) fell 2-6, 3-6 to Daniel Rodrigues in the men’s bronze medal match.

Today’s gold and silver medals bring Team USA’s wheelchair tennis final medal count in Lima to four, with Mathewson’s women’s singles bronze and Bryan Barten’s quad singles bronze in Thursday’s finals.