Track Brought Tara Davis and Hunter Woodhall to Each Other — and to Tokyo 2020.
This summer, when NCAA long jumper Tara Davis qualified for the Olympics at the U.S. Track and Field Trials, her much-viewed celebration with boyfriend Hunter Woodhall sent smiles around the world. Woodhall, a silver and bronze Paralympic medalist, is also heading to Tokyo, and the sight of the pair reveling in each other’s success was a reminder of the joy to be found in sports.
This weekend, Davis competes in the Olympic Women’s Long Jump, and next month, Woodhall will run in the Paralympic 400 and 100-Meter Dash. Before they left for Tokyo, the couple — who met at a high school track meet — sat down with Archewell to discuss how they’re supporting each other and advice they have for competing at the highest level. “I want people to know we’re just two normal people,” Woodhall explains. “We bring a lot of diversity into our relationship, and we want to be really transparent about that. Tara is a woman of color. I have a disability. We want people to know that whoever you are, whatever situation you’re in: it’s okay and that’s what makes you special and unique. Be proud of yourself and go chase your dream. We’re living proof that if you put your mind to it and put in the work, crazy, wild things can happen.”