On April 12, Tara Davis-Woodhall dropped a hint on Instagram that set her fans buzzing: “Back in the pit 💃🏽 4.26.” Simple. Playful. But packed with meaning. Well, after nearly eight months away from competition — her last appearance being at the Golden Gala in Rome on August 30 — Tara was signaling that the countdown was officially on. April 26 at the Drake Relays in Des Moines wasn’t just going to be another meet. It was the start of a brand-new chapter. And this one felt different!

Not only was it Tara’s much-anticipated season opener, but it was also a personal milestone: for the first time ever, Tara and her husband, Hunter Woodhall, would share the same elite stage, competing at the same meet. Tara was set to bring her magic to the women’s long jump, while Hunter would unleash his speed in the men’s 400m— both events woven into the prestigious World Athletics Continental Tour (WACT). The excitement was palpable. The storyline was perfect. But as sports so often remind us, reality tends to write its own script.

After competing in the long jump, Tara took to Instagram today, resharing a highlight of her massive leap at the Drake Relays in her Stories. But her caption revealed a different side of the story that you couldn’t see just by watching the jump. In Tara’s own words: “The gnarliest headwind I’ve ever been in.” Meanwhile, Tara’s words were supported by a sports anchor and reporter working for KCCINews. 

As the Drake Relays got underway, the wind howled across the stadium — a force that could be felt even through the live broadcast. Covering the action from trackside, sports reporter Shannon Ehrhardt captured it perfectly: “It’s clearly very windy out here. You can feel it.” Tara Davis-Woodhall felt it too.

And she didn’t sugarcoat it when she spoke to Shannon during the meet. “The wind needs to stop,” she laughed, half in frustration, half in disbelief at just how brutal the conditions were. But if there’s one thing you should know about Tara Davis-Woodhall, it’s that a little (or a lot of) adversity doesn’t stop her from putting on a show.

Despite battling the “gnarliest headwind” of her career, Tara opened the women’s long jump event with a statement! Soaring to a record-breaking leap of 22-1 ¾ (6.75m, 1.5 wind) on her very first jump. With that one effort, she shattered the Drake Relays meet record and left the rest of the field chasing in her wake.

Meanwhile, Sydney Willis finished second with a jump of 6.54m (0.7), and Tokyo Olympic medalist Ese Brume rounded out the top three with 6.36m (2.5). But truth be told, no one came close to touching Tara’s brilliance. Oh, and did we mention? This was also the very first time Tara Davis-Woodhall stepped onto the runway rocking the Nike swoosh — a brand new chapter for the Olympic champion and the beginning of what already looks like a standout season.

Tara Davis-Woodhall shows up in Nike gear 

On April 25, just a day before hitting the runway at the Drake Relays, Tara Davis-Woodhall and Hunter Woodhall made it official: they’re now Team Nike. After parting ways with Lululemon earlier this year, ending a three-year partnership that helped elevate their profiles off the track. The Woodhalls announced their new chapter by doing what they do best: keeping it bold and stylish. Tara shared the news on social media, posting a series of photos in fresh Nike gear, simply captioned: “WOODHALLS X NIKE.” But this wasn’t just about switching brands.

For Tara, it runs much deeper. In her own words: “Nike is more than a sponsor: It’s a partner in creating change for women in sport, turning belief into action through its deep support for athletes, innovative footwear and apparel, and a mission of expanding sport for the next generation.”

She added, “I’m always searching for ways to level up my performance and make a lasting impact on the track and field community, and partnering with Nike will help me push my limits while growing and giving back to the sport I love.” The announcement felt fitting — a powerhouse athlete teaming up with a powerhouse brand, both committed to rewriting what’s possible. And if her record-breaking performance at the Drake Relays the very next day was any indication, the Woodhalls’ new era with Nike is off to a soaring start.