By Brad Spencer

Sports Editor

Oak Parker Melissa Stockwell recently graced the cover of USA Triathlon Magazine. Stockwell, who has been featured on CNN and CBS News as well as in Wednesday Journal and several other news agencies over the years for her athletic prowess, was named Women's Paratriathlete of the Year by USA Triathlon.

Stockwell is a former 2nd Lieutenant in the Army whose convoy was hit by a roadside bomb in Baghdad in 2004, leading to the amputation of her left leg above the knee. She was the first female amputee soldier in Iraq. She went on to compete in the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing, swimming the 100 butterfly, 100 freestyle and 400 freestyle.

Stockwell, who works as a certified prosthetist and motivational speaker, plans on competing in the upcoming Chicago spring half-marathon and the Soldier Field 10-miler.

Click here to read a 2008 column about Melissa Stockwell.

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