Photo by Luc Percival
Twenty-Two Athletes with Utah Ties Named to Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah | March 2, 2026 — Twenty-two athletes with Utah ties are set to compete at the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games in Milano Cortina, Italy, continuing the state’s proud Olympic and Paralympic legacy.
Among the athletes heading to Italy, ten will make their Paralympic debuts, while National Ability Center’s Arly Velasquez returns for his fifth Winter Games and Ogden native Keith Gabel for his fourth, following appearances in Vancouver 2010, Sochi 2014, PyeongChang 2018, and Beijing 2022.
The team also features four Paralympic medalists: Brenna Huckaby (four medals, including three gold), Sydney Peterson (three medals, including one gold), Noah Elliott (two medals, including one gold), and Gabel (two medals). Dani Aravich adds a unique distinction, having also competed at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Paralympics in the 400m track and field.
“We cheered every run, every jump, and every lap for Utah’s Olympians, and now it’s time to switch gears and celebrate our Paralympians,” said Jeff Robbins, president and CEO of the Utah Sports Commission. “From first-time competitors to seasoned medalists, these athletes embody determination, skill, and the spirit of The State of Sport.”
TEAM USA ATHLETES WITH UTAH TIES
Para Alpine Skiing
Matthew Brewer | National Ability Center, Utah resident
Noah Bury | Salt Lake native, Weber State University
Ravi Drugan | National Ability Center (alum)
Blake Eaton | National Ability Center, Utah resident
Hailey Griffin | National Ability Center, Utah resident
Andrew Haraghey | Westminster University (alum ’19), National Ability Center, Utah resident
Jesse Keefe | National Ability Center (alum)
Tyler McKenzie | National Ability Center, Utah resident
Saylor O’Brien | Woodland native and resident, Picabo Street Academy (alum ’20), National Ability Center
Michael O’Hearn | Westminster University (alum ’24), National Ability Center, Utah resident
Para Nordic Skiing
Dani Aravich | Utah 2034 Steering Committee Member
Sydney Peterson | University of Utah, Utah resident
Para Snowboard
Kate Delson | Team Utah Snowboarding, Utah resident
Noah Elliott | National Ability Center (alum)
Keith Gabel | Ogden native
Jackie Hamwey | Team Utah Snowboarding
Brenna Huckaby | Team Utah Snowboarding
Zach Miller | Utah resident
Joe Pleban | Utah resident
INTERNATIONAL ATHLETES WITH UTAH TIES
Haiti
Ralf Etienne, Para Alpine Skiing | National Ability Center
Mexico
Arly Velasquez, Para Alpine Skiing | National Ability Center
Puerto Rico
Orlando Perez, Para Alpine Skiing | National Ability Center, Utah resident
These athletes join 84 Utah-linked Olympians who earned 17 medals in Milano Cortina, accounting for 45% of Team USA’s total medal count. Leading the way were Olympic champions Breezy Johnson (Alpine Downhill); Hilary Knight (Hockey); Alex Ferreira (Freeski Halfpipe); Kaila Kuhn, Connor Curran, and Chris Lillis (Mixed Team Aerials); and Clayton Keller (Hockey).
Rounding out the podium were Alex Hall (Silver, Freeski Slopestyle); Jacqueline Wiles (Bronze, Alpine Team Combined); Ashley Farquharson (Bronze, Luge Singles); Ryan Cochran-Siegle (Silver, Alpine Super-G); Jaelin Kauf (two Silver, Freestyle Moguls & Dual Moguls); Casey Dawson, Emery Lehman, and Ethan Cepuran (Silver, Speed Skating Team Pursuit); Mac Forehand (Silver, Freeski Big Air); Corinne Stoddard (Bronze, Short Track 1500m); Mia Manganello (Bronze, Speed Skating Mass Start); Finland’s Olli Määttä (Bronze, Hockey); and Great Britain’s Zoe Atkin (Bronze, Freeski Halfpipe).