Several athletes from the region want to book tickets to Paris after the US Paralympics team qualifiers

A lot has changed in Susannah Scaroni’s life since her first Paralympic Games in 2012.

At this point in her racing career, the now 33-year-old from Tekoa, Washington, was known as a marathon specialist and a newcomer to the U.S. Paralympic team.

Today, more than a decade later, Scaroni’s focus has changed not only in her racing wheelchair, but off the track as well, as she and several other area athletes aim to make their Paralympic dreams come true at the U.S. Paralympic Team Trials, taking place Thursday through Saturday in Miramar, Florida.

“It’s been different every time at these trials and this year will be no different,” Scaroni said. “Given the strength of the United States women’s track and field team, this time I can act as more of a mentor and help my teammates do as well as they can while also securing my spots for Paris.”

Although Scaroni still has to finish in the top three in her running events in the coming days to secure a place on the track in Paris, she has known for months that she is guaranteed to compete in one discipline: the marathon.

As the fastest American woman to complete the New York City Marathon last fall, Scaroni had automatically secured a spot in the event that was once her flagship race.

But Scaroni says in recent years her focus has shifted more to the course and less to the 26.2-mile challenge.

“For Paris, I’m actually prioritizing the running events,” she said. “I have other big marathons throughout the year that I’ll be focusing on. It’s been a long time coming, but I feel like my track skills are finally where I always wanted them to be.”

Scaroni will compete for a Paralympic place in the 1,500 metres, 800 metres, 400 metres and 5,000 metres – she is the reigning Paralympic gold medalist and current world record holder.

However, she is by far not the only athlete with a local connection taking part in the trails.

In addition to Scaroni, former ParaSport athletes Hannah Dederick and Phillip Croft of Spokane and Isaiah Rigo of Cheney are also competing at the Trials. Current ParaSport athletes competing for a spot at the Paralympics include Taylor Swanson, Lindi Marcusen, Bob Hunt, Lauren Fields, Ben Foos and Alicia Guerrero – all from Spokane.

Also competing – but not qualified for the team selection – are Kadence Hammer from Winthrop, Jessica Bellefeuille from Coeur d’Alene, Brycen Phillis from Spokane and Neiko Wellborn from Wenatchee.

Peacock will stream all trials events, and Saturday afternoon events will also be broadcast on CNBC. More information, including live results and heat sheets, can be found online at www.usparatf.org/usparateamtrials-trackandfield.

Team selection will take place Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m. EST.