Hoyt Paralympic runner set to compete in 'TrackTown USA'

HOYT (KSNT) - When Dustin Gunter was 8 years old, he suffered a traumatic brain injury in an ATV accident, leaving the entire left side of his body paralyzed. Gunter spent months in a wheelchair, pushing himself to learn how to walk, and then run, eventually becoming a Paralympic sprinter.

Now, he's continuing to race past the odds toward 'TrackTown USA'. Gunter will compete in the first-ever combined USATF Outdoor Championships & USATF Para National Championships in Eugene, Oregon.

"Nerve-wracking, I almost teared in my eyes because I have never been to Oregon. Oregon is where the mentality of what you put into," Gunter said. "Paralympics never got that opportunity, and this year for the first time ever in the Paralympics program, we are going to race with the Olympians."

Gunter said Paralympics continues to motivate him to inspire others.

"Paralympics start me as a gear to motivate other people," Gunter said. "There are people who have the same disability as me and they see me as who I am." 

"There's a lot of reasons you can stop doing something," Royal Valley High School Head Track and Field Coach Cody Wilson said. "He's just overcoming every single one of them and instead of finding an excuse or saying this is why I can't do something, he finds a solution to figure out how to get it done." 

Not only is Gunter an athlete himself, but he's also helping coach the next generation of runners. The Hoyt-native is a track and field coach at RVHS, and has been making an impact on his runners for the last eight years.

"I love having him at practice," Wilson said. "He competes, he has no excuses, he works hard and the kids that come and run track for us can see that as well." 

"He's an absolute great kid who would give his left arm to be able to compete in all sports," RVHS Track and Field coach Steve Hardesty said.

Gunter will compete in the 100M and 200M Para National Championships prelim on July 31st.