Close Menu
Eden Prairie Local News
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Sunday, July 27
    • About
      • About EPLN
      • Team
      • EPLN in the News
      • Policies
    • Contact
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Threads LinkedIn
    Subscribe
    Eden Prairie Local News
    • Home
    • Schools
    • Business
    • Sports
    • Public Safety
    • City
    • Calendar
    • Subscribe
    • Donate
    • More
      • Construction
      • Outdoors
      • Politics
      • Health
      • Spirituality
      • Community Service
      • Legacy
      • Obituaries
      • Arts
      • Family
      • Holidays
      • Letter to Editor
      • Listen
      • Jobs
    Eden Prairie Local News
    Home»Sports»EPHS grad and U.S. Army veteran Melissa Stockwell competing in fourth Paralympics on Sep. 1
    Sports

    EPHS grad and U.S. Army veteran Melissa Stockwell competing in fourth Paralympics on Sep. 1

    Juliana AllenBy Juliana AllenAugust 29, 20242 Mins Read
    Melissa Stockwell will compete in triathlon at the 2024 Paralympics. Source: Melissa Stockwell/Instagram

    Eden Prairie residents will be able to watch one of our own compete at the 2024 Paralympics, currently underway in Paris, France.

    Melissa Stockwell, a 1998 graduate of Eden Prairie High School, will represent the U.S. in triathlon at her fourth Paralympic Games. She already holds one bronze medal in the sport from the 2016 Paralympics and is a three-time world champion paratriathlete.

    Viewers will have to get up extra early to catch the event live: Stockwell competes this Sunday, Sept. 1, at 2:35 a.m. Central Time, which is 9:35 a.m. in Paris.

    At 44, Stockwell, who now lives in Colorado, will be competing in the women’s triathlon in the PTS2 classification. This category is for athletes with impairments in the lower and/or upper limbs who do not require a handcycle for the cycling segment or a racing chair for the running segment. Assistive devices such as prosthetic legs and/or bike modifications are allowed.

    Advertisement
    Ad for Washburn McReavy

    Turning adversity into triumph

    Stockwell’s story is one of resilience and determination. Growing up, she was an elite gymnast who also competed in diving and other sports. After graduating from Eden Prairie High School, Stockwell attended the University of Colorado Boulder. In 2002, she was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army’s Transportation Corps.

    One month after being deployed to Iraq in 2004, she became the first female American soldier to lose a limb in active combat. Her vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb, and she lost her left leg above the knee. Stockwell was honored with a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star.

    In 2008, she became the first Iraq War veteran to qualify for the Paralympic Games, which feature athletes with disabilities. She competed in three swimming events in the 2008 Summer Paralympics in Beijing, where she was chosen to be the flag bearer for Team USA at the closing ceremonies.

    She soon pivoted to triathlon, competing in that event at the 2016 Paralympic Games (where she won bronze) and the 2020 Games in Tokyo, which took place in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Advertisement
    Ad for The Goddard School - Goddard is where Extraordinary Awaits

    Learn more about Stockwell’s life and Olympic journey on the official Team USA website, her personal website, and her Instagram page.

    Melissa Stockwell at the 2024 Paralympics. Source: Melissa Stockwell/Instagram

    Comments
    We offer several ways for our readers to provide feedback. Your comments are welcome on our social media posts (Facebook, X, Instagram, Threads, and LinkedIn). We also encourage Letters to the Editor; submission guidelines can be found on our Contact Us page. If you believe this story has an error or you would like to get in touch with the author, please connect with us.

    Be Informed
    Sign up for the FREE email newsletter from EPLN
    Subscribe
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleEagle Marching Band in State Fair parade
    Next Article Lakeshore homeowners play key role in lake health

    More to READ

    3 Mins Read

    Eden Prairie Special Olympian finds joy, success in swimming

    July 25, 2025
    5 Mins Read

    Summer golf event tees up support for Eden Prairie hockey

    July 18, 2025
    2 Mins Read

    Eden Prairie High School hires new alpine ski coach

    July 7, 2025
    Subscribe to get EPLN in your inbox for FREE!
    Recent Articles

    Reach for Resources combines disability, brain injury case management teams

    July 26, 2025

    A veteran’s uneasy view of fireworks

    July 26, 2025

    Eden Prairie Special Olympian finds joy, success in swimming

    July 25, 2025

    Eden Prairie’s beautiful summer secret inspires landscape artist

    July 25, 2025

    Preserve’s sand-bottom pool marks 50 seasons as a hidden gem

    July 24, 2025
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    INN Network Member Guidestar Gold Seal
    Eden Prairie Local News is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization EIN 85-4248265 | Copyright © 2020-2025
    • About
    • Policies
    • Jobs
    • Contact
    • Advertising
    • Subscribe
    • Donate

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.