Paralympian hopeful Hannah Hewett always on the move as multi-sport athlete
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. — Parasports are sports played by people who have physical or intellectual disabilities. 17-year-old Hannah Hewett has been playing para sports since 2009. She also plays soccer and basketball. “I’ve played recreational soccer over the years,” Hannah said. “My basketball team is the ECHO Knights in Tahlequah, and I am an independent athlete in Para sports. I am also a soccer referee. My personal goals are to one day make it to the Paralympics in the 100 meter track, sitting volleyball or 50 meter swimming.”
Hannah was born in Washington D.C. missing both of her tibias. She was adopted when she was 5 months old by John and Kim Hewett. Although she had her legs amputated at 9 months old, she started walking at 18 months and has not stopped since!
“I compete every year at the UCO Endeavor Games in Edmond,” Hanna said. “I also have attended Move United Junior Nationals for the past six years in various states all across the US. I love all the sports I participate in because I love the competition, the atmosphere and all my friends that I get see and compete with.”
Even though she is currently a junior being homeschooled, Hannah hopes to attend and train at the University of Central Oklahoma because it is a Paralympic training site.
“My biggest challenge for these sports is probably just comparing myself to others,” Hannah said. “If I’m not fast or strong enough, then I am not good at it. But I always remember that even if I don’t happen to do as good as others, I’m still doing MY best and that is what matters. I don’t have a pregame ritual, but I always make sure my legs are correct, my mind is in the right headspace and I’m ready to go. Being a member of a team has taught me that I am not alone. People have my back and I can rely on them to keep going even when I can’t.”
When she is not competing or training, Hannah enjoys reading, spending time with her friends, playing with her animals and simply having a good time doing whatever it is she is doing. She is outgoing and friendly to everyone she meets. She loves hearing about people’s lives and being a good person.
“The best advice I have been given was to never give up on my goals,” said Hannah, “to keep pressing on until I make them. This was from Regas Woods, another Paralympain athlete. In 2019, at Nationals, I ended up falling halfway through my 100M race. That did not stop me though. Even though I was hurting and quite frankly embarrassed, I still walked to the finish line and didn’t give up.”
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