Woodhall charting his own path as Paralympian 

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor 

Hunter Woodhall can’t escape the comparisons to Oscar Pistorius. And for the most part, that’s not a bad thing. 

They share a similar story. Both of them came into the world with a birth defect called fibula hemimelia, which means their legs did not have fibula bones. Their parents both made the same excruciatingly difficult choice, and Woodhall like Pistorius became a double leg amputee at 11 months old. Then both boys grew to embrace the challenge of an active lifestyle marked not by limitations, but achievement. 

Woodhall, who turned 17 years old in February, runs for his high school track team in Syracuse, Utah. Not only does he run, the junior is one of the fastest 400-meter runners in Utah. He has clocked 49.05 seconds for 400 and 22.09 seconds in the 200. He is also one of the fastest “blade runners” in the world and a member of the U.S. Paralympic Team. 

Pistorius, a South African, is in prison. The 29-year-old was put away following the 2013 fatal shooting of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. 

All that Pistorius had gained as an athlete, as the face of the paralympic movement and as an inspiration to millions around the world came to a screeching halt. Last month, the South African court denied Pistorius’ bid to appeal the conviction. 

Woodhall, as an athlete, is on the same trajectory as Pistorius. He might, in fact, some day break Pistorius’ records. 

But perhaps even more intriguing is that Woodhall’s charisma and communication skills might eventually fill the void left by Pistorius or take him much further. 

At the age of 12, Woodhall was named a national ambassador for the Shriners Hospital for Children. He’s been on TV and made speeches. He’s traveled to represent the hospital at the Rose Bowl Parade. He’s learned how to answer questions and tell his story, on camera, like an adult. 

“The training for public and motivational speaking I received definitely helped me to be able to make my way around the media world, which I think may help me in the professional world of athletics,” Woodhall said. 

HUNTER WOODHALL VIDEO INTERVIEW AT ARCADIA 

In sports, Woodhall has had an inextinguishable desire to participate and compete since he first gained mobility on his prosthetic legs. Two older brothers, Brendan and Spencer, took no pity on their youngest sibling. They wrestled, played football, soccer and baseball. When he was seven one his brothers told Hunter he was disabled. He scrunched up his face, incredulous, and replied: “No I’m not!” 

Hunter’s parents, Barb and Steve, encouraged him every figurative and literal step of the way. 

“They’re my number one,” said Woodhall, who is spending this week at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif. “They are 100 percent of the reason I’m here. They didn’t hold me back and they understood when I got into track that this is something I wanted to do.” 

Unlike Woodhall’s everyday prosthetics, which don’t allow him to jump more than two inches, the blades he wears for track opened up a new world of freedom when he first put them on. He ran in 5K road races with his family and developed a love for running. In junior high he took up the 800 meters but was relegated to the back of the pack, a spot he was not willing to settle for. He worked with biomechanics instructors, along with speed and agility coaches, who taught him how to come out of the blocks and sprint. In the ninth grade he dropped his 400 PR by nine seconds and began running with the Syracuse High varsity. 

By then, Woodhall had already come into the orbit of the paralympic community and attended clinics and meets. He quickly gained the attention of coaches with the U.S. Paralympics team. He competed in his first national event in 2013. Last year, he made the U.S. World team and traveled to Doha, Qatar. He was the youngest in his category (T-43/44) and yet captured silver in the 400 meters and bronze in the 200. 

That has set him up for a spot on the U.S. team that will go to the Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro this summer, Sept. 8-17, immediately after the conclusion of the Olympic Games. Based on last year’s results and this year’s progress he is a medal contender. 

At home in Utah, he has a chance to contend for the Class 5A title in the 400 meters. 

“He doesn’t think of it as a disability,” said Syracuse High senior teammate Cidnee Davies. “He's comfortable in who he is and he works hard every day to be at his best and that's really inspiring. He's made all of us better because of how hard he trains and the energy he brings to practice. What he has accomplished is amazing. When he went to Worlds, it was incredible to say that I know him well. He has inspired all of us.” 

The summer and the future beyond hold great promise and much of it cannot yet be forecast. 

After his graduation from high school, he could turn professional. Or he could possibly become one of the first paralympic athletes to compete at a high level in college. The role of ambassador is open, and nearly a given, no matter what path he chooses. 

His family has always known there was something important on Hunter’s horizon. 

“We told him God has a plan for you,” Barb Woodhall said. “We keep seeing parts of it unfold. There is something bigger out there waiting for him.” 

Five years ago, when Hunter was still getting used to the balance and feel of his racing blades, Pistorius was becoming a celebrity. Before his fall from grace, he was a bona fide double amputee athletic hero. Not only did Pistorius win the Paralympics gold medal in the 400 meters, he competed in the actual Olympic Games as well. 

Woodhall was paying attention. 

“He was somebody to look up to,” he said. “I’ve been competing against able bodies most of my life. Seeing someone like him, it showed me there was another way (to run). 

“A lot of people started to put it together that he and I are more alike.” 

Woodhall has studied Pistorius and watched videos of his races. There is a skill in being able to run on carbon fiber blades and get them to operate with straight-line efficiency. Pistorius mastered the technique and Woodhall aims to emulate him – at least on the track. 

“I have my own goals,” Woodhall points out. “He was running for the greater good of the sport and also for himself. That didn’t all come into place.” 

Pistorius’ downfall is a cautionary tale as well. It is one thing to be an inspiration to others, but there is a private and personal side to the story that has to be nurtured and managed with care as well. 

Woodhall, who is coached by former Olympic champion Joaquin Cruz at the Olympic Training Center, will run in the 200 meters at the Mt. SAC Relays on Friday afternoon and then fly home to compete with his high school team in a meet on Saturday. 

No matter the names on the start list, whether the event is for paralympic athletes or able bodied, Woodhall treats every race the same. 

“I try to walk in as confident and prepared (as I can) no matter what race I’m entering,” he said. “I also bring the same amount of respect to the athletes I’m competing against.”