Seneca High School's Michaela Hickerson competing in her 8th Special Olympics USA Games

When Michaela Hickerson walks on a track, she feels as if she’s stepping into her comfort zone, and her only care is crossing the finish line first.

But with the biggest races of her life just weeks away, the thrill of victory isn’t what drives Hickerson. For kids who live with disabilities like her, just having a space to compete is already a win.

Hickerson — a junior at Seneca High School on the autism spectrum — will be the youngest athlete to represent Team Kentucky at the 2022 Special Olympic USA Games. The Games will take place at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida, from June 5-12. Hickerson will be one of more than 5,500 athletes from around the country competing for the gold.

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“She wanted to join some of her school programs when she was young but because of her special needs she couldn’t,” Tyria Word said. “But when she found the Special Olympics she was able to do her thang.”

Hickerson, who has competed in the Special Olympics for seven years, found out in August she made the team, and her parents, Tyria and Brenda Word, took her out to eat at Storming Crab to celebrate. The anticipation has grown steadily ever since. For them, seeing their daughter’s commitment pay off in such a way was inspirational.

"Being selected to Team Kentucky for the Games is not only a tremendous honor for our athletes, but it offers a great opportunity for personal growth," Special Olympics CEO Trish Mazzoni said. "We have seen many of our athletes be transformed by this experience at the previous four USA Games that have been held."

Hickerson competed in bowling, cheerleading and softball when she first started in Special Olympics. Over time, track and field became her specialty. She runs in all the events she can such as the 50-, 100- and 200-meter dash.

“I’m very competitive,” Hickerson said.

Hickerson said she practices after school on Wednesdays and Fridays. She runs laps and tries to improve her time with each rep. For her, getting up to train isn’t a problem.

The issue arises when she can’t.

The start of the pandemic was difficult for Hickerson. With Special Olympic events canceled, Hickerson stayed in her room after school and slipped into a deep depression. Her parents hadn’t seen that from her in a long time and were worried.

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“She was just starting to go back into her shell a lot,” Brenda Word said. “They were making calls to shut everything down and when she got that news, she started sitting in her room more. She’d get upset. She wasn’t able to control her emotions like she does when she runs. When she competes in Special Olympics it helps her get all that built up stuff out.”

For Hickerson, the track is a safe space, a place where she can express herself, compete and make friends. Without that, fitting in became that much harder.

Brenda Word said she would get calls from the school concerned about Hickerson’s shift. Usually she was outgoing and considered a leader in the classroom, but without an outlet she started to sink into herself.

And the only thing that could pull her out was the track.

Once restrictions started to roll back and Special Olympics returned, Brenda and Tyria saw an instant switch in their daughter on and off the track. Not only was she happier and more outgoing, but she became a better athlete.

“She’s been doing very well since everything opened up with COVID,” Brenda Word said. “When they opened everything back up, though, she just soared. ...  She just got faster, and the next thing I know she’s gone from the 50 to 100 to the 200.”

Even Hickerson’s teachers saw improvement.

“Michaela’s been a pleasure to have as a student,” Seneca teacher Brenda McClure said. “She’s very caring and considerate. She’s very smart and willing to help others.”

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Outside of sports, healthcare is Hickerson’s passion. She’s a member of HOSA - Future Health Professionals, an organization that’s taught her the skills necessary to start a career as a healthcare professional.

“I’m excited for Michaela,” said McClure, who teaches CPR at Seneca. “She’s always very interactive with everyone, and it’s an honor for me to know someone that’s actually going to the Olympics.”

Those around Hickerson are excited for her. Her friends and family know how much running means to her.

“I’m so proud of her,” Tyria Word said. “She does good, and she loves it and that’s all that matters.”

Follow Courier Journal reporter J.L. Kirven on Twitter @JL_Kirven for more updates on Louisville prep sports.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Michaela Hickerson competes in 2022 Special Olympics for Kentucky