A gold medal winner at the International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports (IWAS) Youth World Games and a 2018 Para Athlete All Scholastic, Mikayla Chandler will soon enter her senior year at Old Rochester Regional High School. Mikayla, who was born with dwarfism,  will compete once again in field hockey, winter (indoor) track and field, and spring (outdoor) track and field.

Mikayla represented the United States at the June 2018 IWAS Youth World Games in Ireland. Competing among the world’s top athletes in her age group, Mikayla threw her personal best in shot put, earning her the gold medal. In her senior year, Mikayla hopes to continue to compete at the elite level she has been, with the goal of going to the 2020 Paralympics. After she graduates high school, she hopes to continue her athletic career in college. Along with potentially competing at a professional level, Mikayla also plans to pursue a career in the health or medical field. Outside of athletics, Mikayla is the junior class representative for her schools ambassador club, as well as a member of the MIAA student advisory committee.

Mikayla explained her love for track and field as a way for her to feel like she is in control. “I play the sport because I’m able to prove myself wrong. I doubted myself early on and am now able to have a positive mindset. Other people look at me and don’t think I can do what other non para-athletes can do, but I’ve been able to overcome their doubts and push myself further.”