Sprinter Austin Spalla is one of the newest members of the U.S. Paralympics Track & Field national team. Thus far, he’s perhaps most known for his crazy collection of socks.

Spalla’s Instagram bio even states, “Always wearing my crazy long socks,” in reference to the varied range of colors, objects and faces that adorn his socks during competition.

“Everyone’s got their thing in life, and that’s my thing,” he joked.

But Spalla’s ready to change what he’s known for, and that starts with earning a bid to the Paralympic Games Paris 2024.

The 18-year-old is a senior at Lincoln-Way West High School in New Lenox, Illinois, and he’s doubling down this semester as he aims to graduate with both high marks in the classroom and top times on the track in hopes of qualifying for the Paris Games.

Most high schoolers spend their Thanksgiving break with family, relaxing and enjoying a few days off from school. Not Spalla, though. He spent his break representing Team USA at the 2023 Parapan American Games in Santiago, Chile, where he finished sixth in the 100-meter and seventh in the 200-meter in the T35 classification.

“It was really amazing being able to compete and represent my country,” said Spalla, who began competing in track and field in 2019. “Chile was definitely the highlight of my career so far.”

Spalla grew up with cerebral palsy and originally started wearing long socks to cover his ankle-foot orthoses. When he stopped having to wear a brace, he had taken such a liking to his array of long socks that he kept wearing them.

Throughout his high school track and field career, he’s competed against able-bodied athletes, which is something he’s come to embrace.

“Don’t ever be afraid of playing with able-bodied people,” he now tells kids with cerebral palsy. “There’s going to be people that are faster than you and better than you, but you’ve just got to go out there and compete.”

His affinity with sports began when he picked up wheelchair basketball through the Lincolnway Special Recreation Association. One of his basketball teammates then told him about the Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association, which is where Spalla started competing on the track.

“I always loved sports and tried to be like the others,” Spalla said. “Every time during gym whenever they picked teams, I was always in there in the thick of it.”

His first major international track competition was at the 2022 International Wheelchair Amputee Sports World Games in Portugal, where he won the 100 and finished in second place in the 200 and long jump. He then performed well enough at the U.S. Para track and field national championships last May to qualify for the Parapan Ams.

“It’s surprising to me because usually I don’t see many people get to this level until they’re way older,” he said.

Spalla is one of four athletes making their debut on the national team this year, along with sprinters Taylor Swanson, Brianna Salinaro and the athlete-guide team of Antoine Craig and Treyton Stuckey.

As Spalla works to hit the ‘A’ standard to make the U.S. Paralympic team, he’ll keep seeking out advice and mentorship from Matthew Paintin and Marshall Zackery, the top two Team USA athletes in his classification. Both sprinted at the world championships in Paris last summer, and Zackery made his Paralympic debut in Tokyo, which gives them both valuable international experience that Spalla can learn from.

While Spalla is preparing for international competitions, he’s also looking to pursue college track — ideally at the University of Alabama or San Diego State, both schools with adaptive programs — and major in construction or a math-related subject.

Wherever Spalla ends up racing, he’ll do it while wearing his crazy long socks.

Stuart Lieberman covered Paralympic sports for three years at the International Paralympic Committee, including at the London 2012 and Sochi 2014 Games. He is a freelance contributor to usparatf.org on behalf of Red Line Editorial, Inc.

Austin Spalla Wants To Be Known For More Than His Crazy Socks

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