Milford’s Shayla Rautenberg receives warm welcome home Sunday

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Milford’s star Shayla Rautenberg was greeted with celebrations and love after returning home from Team USA.

Rautenberg helped bring home gold for Team USA U19 in the Pan American Cup this past week, defeating Mexico in the championship match, 3-0.

The 15 year-old was escorted from the Lincoln airport by Pleasant Dale Fire, and members of the community cheered her on as she arrived, with decorated signs, and warm hugs.

“It means a lot to me that everyone came out here to support me. I just know that I have so much support,” said Shayla. “It means a lot.”

Shayla’s mother, says there’s no place like the town of Pleasant Dale, and was overwhelmed with the support shown by the community Sunday.

“It just makes my heart full to see all these people here came here to give her love and support,” said Lisa Rautenberg. “It’s very overwhelming, it shows what these small communities can do. I don’t know if you have that anywhere else in the U.S, but we definitely have it here.”