Alexis Shifflett facts for kids
Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Nickname(s) | Lexi | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Born | Owatonna, Minnesota, U.S |
May 12, 1996 ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Height | 5 ft 4 in | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sport | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sport | Sitting volleyball | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Position | Setter | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Disability | Fibular hemimelia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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Alexis Ann Shifflett-Patterson (born May 12, 1996) is an amazing American athlete. She is best known for her incredible skills in sitting volleyball. Alexis has won many gold medals for the United States, including at the Paralympic Games.
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Alexis Shifflett's Early Life
Alexis Shifflett grew up in Waseca, Minnesota. She was born on May 12, 1996. From a young age, Alexis loved sports. She played both softball and volleyball all through her four years at Waseca High School. Her dedication paid off, and she became the captain of her volleyball team in her senior year.
When Alexis was 15 years old, she discovered sitting volleyball. This sport quickly became her passion. Just one year later, at age 16, she was good enough to join the national team roster. This was a huge step in her journey as an athlete.
Alexis's Amazing Volleyball Career
Alexis Shifflett has achieved incredible success in sitting volleyball. She has represented the United States in many major competitions around the world.
Winning Medals at World Championships
Alexis has competed in the World Para Volleyball Championship. This is a big event where teams from all over the world compete.
- In 2014, her team won a silver medal.
- They won another silver medal in 2018.
- In 2022, Alexis and her team earned a bronze medal at the World Championship in Sarajevo.
Gold at the Parapan American Games
Alexis also shined at the Parapan American Games. These games are for athletes with disabilities from North and South America.
- In 2015, she helped the U.S. team win a gold medal at the games in Toronto.
- She repeated this success in 2019, winning another gold medal in Lima, Peru.
Paralympic Gold Medals
The Paralympic Games are the biggest stage for athletes with disabilities. Alexis has proudly represented the United States there.
- At the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro, she won a gold medal in sitting volleyball.
- She won another gold medal at the 2020 Summer Paralympics in Tokyo.
- On July 10, 2024, Alexis was chosen to be on Team USA's roster for the 2024 Summer Paralympics in Paris. She is hoping to win her third Paralympic gold medal!
Alexis's Personal Journey
Alexis was born to her parents, John and Katie Shifflett. She has two sisters named Natalie and Michaela.
Alexis was born with a condition called fibular hemimelia. This meant that a bone in her lower right leg (the fibula) was missing or shorter than it should be. She also didn't have her ankle bones and some toes on her right foot. To help her move and play sports, her foot was amputated when she was just nine months old. This early challenge did not stop her from becoming a top athlete.
On November 27, 2021, Alexis married Alexander Patterson.