From an early age, Arelle Middleton has used sport to open doors and create new opportunities. Born with Congenital Femoral Deficiency, her left leg is 15 centimeters shorter, and her hip is underdeveloped. Multiple surgeries have been part of her journey, but so has a constant drive to stay active. By the time she was five, Arelle was already competing. 

National Records in Track and Field 

In 2021, Arelle took her athletic career to a new level through track and field, competing in the F44 classification. At the Desert Challenge Games, Angel City Games, and Junior Nationals, she set national records in javelin, shot put, and discus in the under-14 division. These performances established her as one of the country’s brightest young athletes in para throws. 

Track and field has become a pathway not just for competition but also for travel, friendship, and the realization that her athletic career can take her as far as she’s willing to go. 

Competing in Basketball and Tennis 

Arelle’s story goes beyond the track. She is also a standout in wheelchair basketball, playing with the Rancho Halos, a youth program based at Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center in Downey, California. The team has given her the chance to compete nationally while also building friendships and confidence. 

“It’s fun because you can make new friends and travel,” Arelle shared in an interview at practice. Her height and athleticism give her a clear presence on the court, but it’s the community she values most. Supported by groups like the LA84 Foundation and Las Floristas, the Rancho program provides access to equipment, travel, and coaching—so athletes like Arelle can focus on competing and growing. 

She has also achieved success in wheelchair tennis, winning Southern California sectionals in both 2019 and 2020. Across every sport she plays, Arelle carries the same determination to test her abilities and expand her opportunities. 

Looking Ahead 

While Arelle hasn’t yet committed to one sport full time, her goals are clear—she hopes to one day represent Team USA at the Paralympic Games. For now, she continues to develop in multiple sports, building the skills, confidence, and experience that will serve her wherever she decides to focus.  

Support the Next Generation of Athletes 

Arelle Middleton’s journey shows what happens when young athletes are given the opportunity to access equipment, programs, and community. With support from CAF and youth programs like Rancho Halos, she is building a future defined not by limitations but by possibilities. 

You can help ensure more athletes like Arelle have the chance to train, compete, and dream big—by supporting CAF’s mission and creating opportunities for the next generation.