(NEXSTAR) - Mystique Ro, a rising star in the sport of skeleton, made history by becoming the first American to win a medal in a world event championship in over a decade, securing a silver medal in 2023. Ro, who transitioned from track and field to skeleton, has quickly made a name for herself in the sport. Her achievement marks a significant milestone for the United States, which had not seen a medal in this event for 12 years. "It's been a lot of hard work from coaches and staff, sports and everyone involved," Ro said, reflecting on her groundbreaking achievement. "It's really cool." Ro's journey to skeleton began as a talent transfer from track and field, where she was a heptathlete specializing in hurdles. Despite initially aiming for bobsled, she was encouraged to try skeleton due to her size and potential. "I was dead set on bobsled," she admitted, but eventually embraced skeleton after a successful rookie camp experience. Now she wants others to understand the unique challenges of the high-speed event. "I just call a human penguin. You're just a human penduin goin 80 some miles per hour, and you are just chillin," Ro says. The mixed relay event, a new addition to skeleton, has also seen Ro excel. Partnering with Austin Flora, Ro won gold in a world event, showcasing her speed and adaptability. The mixed relay involves a male and female athlete competing together, with reaction time playing a crucial role. Training at Lake Placid, which boasts the only indoor push track for bobsleigh and skeleton in the U.S., has been a significant advantage for Ro. This facility allows athletes to refine their skills in a controlled environment, contributing to her rapid development in the sport. Ro's recruitment into skeleton was initiated by an email from Elana Meyers Taylor, a world champion in bobsled. This connection has been instrumental in Ro's transition and success, providing her with guidance and support. All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by Nexstar. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by Nexstar staff before being published