Tara Davis-Woodhall and Hunter Woodhall’s love story is straight out of a Netflix rom-com. The professional athletes, both competing in the Olympic and Paralympic Games this summer, first crossed paths back in 2017 at a high school track meet. They shared the details of their relationship’s beginning in a YouTube video, and it’s just as heartwarming as you’d imagine.
Fittingly, their first encounter happened at an athletic competition. At just 16 years old, Tara and Hunter traveled to the Simplot Games in Idaho—Tara from California and Hunter from Utah. Hunter first noticed Tara as she raced the hurdles, telling his best friend, “Damn, that girl is fine. I’m gonna marry that girl.” Later, Tara caught sight of Hunter stretching before his 400-meter event, and she was instantly intrigued. “I just saw him and was like, ‘Ooh, who’s that?'” Tara recalled. Though Tara made the first move, it was clear that their connection was strong from the start.
Since then, Tara and Hunter have supported each other through every high and low, both personally and professionally. Most recently, Hunter was right by Tara’s side as she won a gold medal in long jump during the Paris 2024 Olympics. “You inspire me every day to be great,” Hunter wrote to Tara in a heartfelt post before the competition. We love a supportive partner. Here’s everything we know about their enduring bond, from how they first met to where they are today.
Their story began with a hug and some small talk at that 2016 track event, but Tara wasn’t about to let that initial spark fade. She slid into Hunter’s Twitter DMs, sparking a flirty conversation. As their banter continued, Tara quickly realized, “Oh, this guy has some moves!” What started as social media exchanges soon led to swapping phone numbers, and within a few months, their relationship began to take off.
After months of long-distance chats and occasional meet-ups, the couple finally went on their first official date in June 2017. Tara drove two hours to visit Hunter while he was training in Southern California, setting the scene for their first kiss. Despite the challenges of a long-distance relationship during college, they’ve kept their bond strong through communication, trust, and patience.
“We balance our long-distance relationship by having communication, trust, and patience,” Hunter shared in a 2021 interview with Elle. “Over the past four years, we’ve learned how to communicate and operate as a couple. We’ve faced challenges on both sides, but we’ve grown from those experiences and are committed to strengthening our relationship.” Tara added, “We try to see each other’s perspectives in arguments and avoid telling each other how we should feel.”
Their journey together is a testament to their deep connection and shared commitment to growth, both as individuals and as a couple.