A Mount Vernon graduate won the silver medal in the men's 400-meter hurdle event Monday night as the Mount Vernon community back home is cheered him on.

Friends, family and teammates gathered at the Double Door event space in Mount Vernon to show their support for Mount Vernon Class of 2015 graduate Rai Benjamin.

The 24-year-old track star got his start in the area and was a three-time state champion.

This Olympics, he cruised to the finals and was a heavy favorite to win it all.

One of his biggest supporters, his mother Jeanette Appleton, spoke to News 12 before the race and said she's proud of what her son has accomplished.

"I feel as though if he's going to do very well. He's been running very well so he seems very confident as well so that gives me a little bit of solace," Appleton said.

Benjamin was a favorite to break both the World and Olympic records for the event.

Norway's Karsten Warholm broke his own world record to secure the gold.