Sports : Parker’s Strength Shines at Iowa Games

For Sarah Parker, watching her son Malachi grow into his own has been a front-row seat to determination, discipline, and a whole lot of heart.

Now a sophomore at Vinton-Shellsburg, Malachi has spent the last three years pouring his energy into the shot put, a sport that requires not just muscle, but focus and perseverance. Last year, he added another challenge to his athletic journey—learning the discus. This summer, he took that new skill and his growing confidence all the way to Ames, where he competed in the Iowa Games at Iowa State University.

It was Malachi’s idea to sign up for the summer event, and he was grouped with other athletes in the 15–16 age bracket. The competition was tough, but Malachi rose to the occasion, winning gold in both the shot put and discus—an impressive achievement for a young man still early in his throwing career.

For perspective, a high school shot put weighs 12 pounds, while a discus tips the scale at about 3 to 4 pounds. But Malachi carried both with grit and pride, proving that dedication pays off.

Malachi isn’t done yet. He plans to compete again for Vinton-Shellsburg during the 2025–2026 season.

For Sarah, the medals are special, but the real reward has been watching her son’s determination and character shine. “I’m just so proud of him,” she said. “It was his idea, his drive, and he’s the one putting in the work. That makes it all the more meaningful.”

With two gold medals already around his neck and a bright path ahead, Malachi Parker is proving that when you pair passion with persistence, incredible things can happen.