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Roundup: Pike And Aravich Set For Another Paralympics Six Months After Tokyo

by Alex Abrams

Aaron Pike competes in Tokyo. (Photo: Joe Kusumoto)

Every other week we scour the web for the latest going on in the world of U.S. Para track and field. Here’s what you missed!

 

Aaron Pike And Dani Aravich Qualify For Another Paralympics

Over the past year, Aaron Pike and Dani Aravich have traveled together around the globe.

 

They were part of the U.S. track and field team that competed at the Tokyo Games in August. They trained together on snow this winter, and they’ll again be teammates at next month’s Paralympic Winter Games Beijing 2022.

 

Pike and Aravich are two of the 13 athletes who were named on Jan. 31 to the U.S. Paralympics Nordic Skiing team for Beijing. They’re part of a select group of Americans who’ll compete at both the Summer and Winter Paralympics within a six-month stretch.

 



This will be the sixth consecutive Paralympics for Pike, who competes in the marathon and track and field in addition to Nordic skiing. The Park Rapids, Minnesota, native is looking to earn his first Paralympic medal in Beijing.

 

“It has been a fun 6 months from the Tokyo games in August to a crazy marathon season in October and strait into the Nordic season!” Pike wrote on Instagram. “Ready to throw it down in #beijing2022”



Aravich made her Paralympic debut as a sprinter in Tokyo. She then quickly transitioned to Nordic skiing with the hope of qualifying for the Beijing Winter Paralympics.

 

Aravich shared on Instagram that she recently found a bucket list she had written as a high school freshman in 2010. One item on that list was to make it into Sports Illustrated.

 

The Boise, Idaho, native can check that off her list. She appears in the February issue of Sports Illustrated as part of a list of American athletes to watch in Beijing.

 

“It may be a tiny pic & only a few words BUT I AM IN THE FEBRUARY ISSUE OF SI?!” Aravich wrote. “… So honored to have my name listed next to @oksanamasters & @twalnutzas some names to watch for the Beijing Games!
“If you see a copy please send to my mom I think she’s collecting them now.”



Noah Malone Honored At Indiana Statehouse

Paralympian Noah Malone was recognized Monday at the Indiana Statehouse for his “inimitable spirit, perseverance through adversity and general excellence.”

 

Malone, a Fishers, Indiana, native, had his family by his side as he received a congratulatory resolution on the floor of the state senate. Senators then gave him a standing ovation.

 

Malone wore the three medals he won in his Paralympic debut in Tokyo around his neck during Monday’s recognition. He earned a gold in the 4x100-meter universal relay and a pair of silvers in the 100 and 400 this past summer.



The Indiana State sophomore, who’s visually impaired, competed in his first collegiate indoor track meet of the season on Jan. 29.

 

Hunter Woodhall Makes History At Prestigious Indoor Event

Hunter Woodhall added one more accomplishment to his growing resume.

 

On Jan. 29, the three-time Paralympic medalist became the first double amputee to compete in the prestigious Millrose Games in New York. Racing the men’s 400, he finished fourth in 50.39 seconds.



A few days later, Woodhall wrote on Instagram that he was “shutting down” his indoor track season to focus on preparing for the outdoor season.



Alex Abrams

Alex Abrams has written about Olympic sports for more than 15 years, including as a reporter for major newspapers in Florida, Arkansas and Oklahoma. He is a freelance contributor to TeamUSA.org on behalf of Red Line Editorial, Inc.