Owensboro’s Kaidhyn Stockdale will compete in the U.S. Paralympic Track and Field Team Trials next month for an opportunity to represent Team USA at the Paralympic Games in Paris. The 19-year-old Apollo graduate holds the second-best mark nationwide in the shot put and discus.
Stockdale attended the U.S. National Championships in California in March, when he qualified by throwing 11 meters in shot put and 38.75 meters in discus.
“This is really great – the Paralympics only come around every 4 years, so not everyone has an opportunity to compete,” Stockdale said. “To get looked at and be considered is an honor and really exciting. I’m excited for the opportunity.”
The Paralympics always run in conjunction with the Olympics. The games are reserved for elite international athletes with various physical disabilities. It is one of the largest global sporting events, with more than 4,500 athletes competing.
Stockdale suffered a stroke as an infant, leading to a cerebral palsy and epilepsy diagnosis. He said he’s left-side dominant, has a toe drop, and can have trouble walking. He’s excited to showcase his abilities and inspire others in a similar situation.
“I’m not in it for the medals,” he said. “When I was in high school, that might have been the case, but now, I just want to be the best. I enjoy traveling the country and the world and inspiring others. I want to continue doing that.”
Stockdale just finished his freshman season at Midway University, where he participates on the track and field team. He also competes at several national meets yearly to maintain his competitive edge.
He spends most of his time throwing and improving his technique during weeks when he has a meet. During off weeks, Stockdale focuses primarily on lifting and spends up to five days weekly in the weight room.
He’s headed to Ann Arbour, Michigan, this week for some additional practice and to see “where he stacks up.” He’s both humble and confident heading into the trials.
“I try not to get ahead of myself. When I do that, it often messes with my head,” Stockdale said. “If I make the team, I’ll have 1-2 weeks to prepare, and then we will travel to France together. From there, we will have a few days to prepare before being on the big stage.”
Stockdale graduated from Apollo in 2023. There, he won three state titles in the shot put and two in discus.
Similar to the Olympics, the Paralympics are sponsored by Toyota and Xfinity and aired on NBC and Peacock. However, one major difference is that the Olympics accepts the top three athletes in each event, whereas the Paralympics require athletes to reach a specific standard or qualifying mark.
“I just want to hit a personal record and have a good time while I’m there,” Stockdale said. “Every athlete there has sacrificed a ton and poured everything into it.”
He added that he and his fellow competitors are eager to grow the sport.
“I want others to know what they’re capable of,” Stockdale said. “It’s hard to be dedicated to something, but if you find that love and passion for a sport, the opportunities are endless.”
