Susannah Scaroni will push a racing wheelchair the rest of her life if she has a choice. Her first two years of college, before she started at the University of Illinois, she’d just go out to look at the scenery and to meditate without regard to speed or distance. One of her professors suggested she use “map my ride,” which revealed she was doing about 22 miles a day. Susannah prefers the purity of pushing herself as hard as she can, but in Tokyo she will pit her strengths against the rest of the world.

Brittni Mason has been fast since she finished fifth in the country as an 11 year old. She was the second fastest sixty meter runner in the MAC Conference and didn’t know anything about the Paralympics. Now the 100 meter World Champion and former Eastern Michigan Scholarship Athlete has her sights on 100 and 200 meter gold in Tokyo.

Brian Siemann is an Access Specialist. He helps students at the University of Illinois find creative solutions to challenging academic life. He’s also doing whatever it takes to avoid being fourth in the 800 again at the Paralympics. It was a painful .01 seconds in Rio. But no matter how it turns out, he knows his dogs Gambit and Ace Michael will love him when he returns home.

Taleah has jumped further in practice than she ever has in competition. She doesn’t need the fans to push her further. That might be a huge benefit in Tokyo because there won’t be anyone in the stands. And, if all the pieces come together she might just really fly.

Kelsey had no intention of racing wheelchairs and thought it a bit strange that University of Illinois coach Adam Bleakney told her she had long arms. When she started racing she understood that those long arms were an asset--an asset that has taken her to two Paralympic Games. She’ll be looking to put them to good use in Tokyo.

Femita broke a 15 year old record in the 100 meters at Trails, but she didn’t even want to go to the ones for Rio. It sounded too expensive and she could just run at a local meet instead. Her coach’s urging and her naivety brought her to sixth in 2016--on a jogging leg. She might not be as naive this time--and she’s not running on a jogging leg anymore.

Listen to see if you believe Erik’s story that Kym only dated him because he had a car and she couldn’t drive because she’s visually impaired. They’re husband and wife now and both headed to the Paralympics in Tokyo. This was a funny conversation from their room at the Training Center in Chula Vista.

ThatBeatriz Hatztrains with the Olympic Heptathletes shouldn’t be surprising even though her 100 meter, 200 meter and long jump only comprise three of the heptathlon’s seven events. When you meet and watch her, you can’t help but come away with the feeling that she’s tough and won’t be denied. It’s only fitting that her preparation follows those who will compete in track and field’s most grueling event. She missed the 100 meter win at Trials by .02 and won the 200. I wouldn’t bet against her in Tokyo.

At the Track and Field Trials for Tokyo when most athletes were trying to achieve a mark as close to the A-Standard as possible, Justin broke the World Record removing all doubt that he’d be on the team. Becoming a World Record Holder is a long way from getting shot in a McDonald’s parking lot and then having the shooter say at the trial, “Enjoy your wheelchair.” Justin’s enjoying the journey and perfecting his craft. He might soon be able to add Paralympic Champion to the resume of his young career.