KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Tara Davis-Woodhall and Hunter Woodhall are household names in the Olympics and Paralympics.
I spoke with them as the power duo starts a new life at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas.
"I love a purple track,” Tara said while we walked a lap together. "I mean, I won gold on a purple track, so that was cool."
Tara took countless leaps of faith to get here.
"I wanted to put something out there so far that no one could touch, and that's the energy I was channeling all season," she said.
It's how she won her Olympic gold medal in the women’s long jump at the recent Paris Games.
"The crowd went crazy; it was roaring,” Tara said. "I fell back into the sand, and I looked up at the arena."
You’ve probably seen photos and videos of what she’s describing. The internet did its thing, taking these moments Tara described and capturing fans around the world.
"I ran over to Hunter, and he was just shouting at me that you're the Olympic champion,” Tara said. “He was the first person to ever call me the Olympic champion. So, it's pretty special."
With her gold medal around her neck, Tara is still one of the most genuine people I’ve ever met.
Talking with her felt like catching up with an old friend. As we walked and talked, we discussed her winning moment and her journey with Hunter.
But we also talked about so much more, like her go-to Starbucks drink, one of her favorite Paris finds and what’s next for her.
Cue every K-State fan yelling, “EMAW (Every Man A Wildcat)!”
Tara is now an assistant coach for K-State's track and field team.
Travis Geopfert, K-State's director of track and field and cross country, also serves as a coach to Tara and Hunter.
“I'm hoping that I could bring an older sister to these athletes,” Tara said. “I am going to coach, but I also want to be a mentor for them.”
Tara had her moment with Hunter as her biggest cheerleader. Now, it's his moment to compete for a gold medal, or two, in Paris next week at the Paralympics.
Hunter has won three medals in the past.
“We've done everything we need to this year to be in a great position to compete well and run fast,” Hunter said.
And Tara will cheer just as loud as Hunter did.
"It's just something we love,” he said.
But their goals are even bigger than a medal count.
"We want to get people's eyes on long jump, and we want to get people to care about the Paralympics,” Hunter said.
Geopfert said he is ecstatic to bring the couple to K-State.
“I know they are superstars that transcend track and field, but they're great people at their core and they maintain who they are,” Geopfert said.
But first, there's more hardware to bring back from Paris.
“I've had a number of people mention that you gotta be tired, and I'm honestly not,” Geopfert said. “You know, I think these student-athletes get me rejuvenated, and I'm ready to go for another year.”
Together, Tara and Hunter plan to keep shooting for the stars — through every step and every jump.
"If one dream and goal is reached, then I feel like I've done my job,” Tara said.
The Paralympics begin Wednesday, Aug. 28th. Hunter Woodhall's first competition in the Paralympics will be Sept. 1.
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