This year OSAA has allowed there to be a category for para-athletes. Grant Miller was our first para-athlete for the Shot Put event. His personal record was forty-one feet and 5 inches at the Benson Tech Invitational. Miller shared that his inspiration for participating in Track and Field came from Coach Jones, who encouraged him to continue on.

A para athlete is someone with a physical disability who competes in athletic events. According to OSAA, this includes any athlete who uses a wheelchair and those who “have a permanent orthopedic, neuromuscular, or other physical disability. This would include Visually Impaired, Cerebral Palsy, Dwarf and Amputees.”

The first OSAA State Para Championships were held on March 25th, 2023 at University of Oregon’s Hayward Field. Miller won first place in Shot Put with 39 feet and 3.75 inches. He states that he is most “proud of winning state and getting a personal record of 41 feet and 5 inches.” He hopes to continue participating in Shot Put in the future. 

Miller isn’t just the first para athlete for track and field competing in shot put, he is the first para athlete at Barlow ever. Previously students with a physical disability still had the chance of competing in athletic events, however there wasn’t a category for them to compete in. In the past, they had to compete against able-bodied people.

Miller feels there should be more representation for Para-Athletes and that every district could have a Para-Athlete team so they could compete against each other because they are brave and should be recognized. Miller says, “It would be cool if every district had a para athlete team and could participate against others.” 

He would like to thank his coaches, Coach Porter, Coach Crouser, Coach Rorh, and Coach Jones for being there and always supporting him.

Society has come a long way in allowing inclusivity in sports yet we still have a long way to go.

OSAA Para‐Athlete Track & Field Eligibility:

“The para‐athlete division will include wheelchair participants and ambulatory participants.  Definition of athletes eligible to compete in this division are as follows:  Wheelchair – All athletes with a permanent physical disability on file with the school.  All athletes in grades 9‐12 must meet OSAA eligibility requirements.  Ambulatory – All athletes shall have a permanent orthopedic, neuromuscular, or other physical disability.  This would include Visually Impaired, Cerebral Palsy, Dwarf and Amputees.  Permanent orthopedic impairment shall be verified by the licensed physician and maintained on permanent file at the school.  All athletes in grades 9‐12 must meet OSAA eligibility requirements.”