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Last year, he competed in track events for the first time and advanced to the district competition — the second highest for junior high schoolers in his area.
"Usually I get first or second in my age group," Hunter said. "(It) was amazing — and just showing everybody that I'm just as good as them."
Hunter was born without a calf bone in his left leg, and his right ankle was fused at the joint. So when he was about a year old, doctors at Shriners Hospital in Salt Lake City amputated both his legs below the knee and fit him with prosthetic legs.
Which is why the story of South African Paralympic and now-Olympic track runner Oscar Pistorius inspires Hunter so much. Pistorius, known as "Blade Runner," like Hunter, was also born without calf bones and had both legs amputated below the knees as a toddler.
"He's putting himself out and going for it and not just like he's not trying to be different," Hunter said. "He's trying to stay with everybody else and compete."
For Hunter, competing in the Olympic games was never an option until this year. He said Pistorius, his role model, has opened doors so that maybe, one day, he, too, can compete in the Olympic Games.
"I have a long way to go," Hunter said. "Like, I cannot even come close to being there right now. I don't train hard enough or anything like that, but it has been an idea in my head to try to compete.
Hunter and his family dismiss the controversial claim that the Cheetah legs give double amputees a greater advantage in competitive events.
"The ability comes from the person that's wearing it," said Barb Woodhall, Hunter's mom. "And if that person is willing to train as hard as all the other athletes, then the performance is going to be there."
Hunter said the Cheetah Legs just replace his foot and calf muscles.
"I have neither of those, so the spring in it is just replacing the spring in my ankle to push off," he said.
Now Hunter has his mind set on running a half marathon, a marathon and a Ragnar.
"Someday," he said.
And when he grows up, he plans to measure, design, and fit patients with prosthetic limbs just as doctors did for him.
"I've grown up around it and I know how to do it," he said. "I can take my legs apart, for the most part, and put them back together. It seems like a fun job, and I can do it."
Until then, Hunter will continue traveling the country as an ambassador for Shriners hospital. He hopes his life story will inspire kids to live their dreams despite their physical challenges.
His mom said she never imagined Hunter would be the inspiration he is today.
