Samantha Heyison Set to Compete at Para World Championships
9/27/2025 9:25:00 AM | Track and Field
After participating in the Paralympics last year in Paris, junior Samantha Heyison is set to represent Team USA at the World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi, India from September 27th to October 5th.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – After representing Team USA at the Paralympics last summer in Paris, Wake Forest Track and Field team member Samantha Heyison is set to compete on the world stage once again as she will represent the United States in both the discus and shot put at the 2025 World Para Championships in New Delhi, India from September 27th to October 5th.
"It's an honor to represent Team USA and Wake Forest on a major global stage," Heyison said. "I look forward to competing in India and trying my best to bring a medal or two home."
Heyison, who was born with constricted band syndrome and started partaking in Para track and field in 2021. Prior to arriving at Wake Forest, the Adamstown, Maryland, native was a three-time high school state champion and also played soccer, softball and basketball growing up.
Heyison earned her spot to represent Team USA after an impressive showing at the USATF Para Nationals, where she placed first in the women's discus final and third place in the women's mixed shot put final.
This will mark the third international competition for Heyison in her career, having previously competed at the World Para Championships in 2023, as well as representing Team USA at the 2024 Paralympics in Paris.
"Every meet that I'm able to do internationally is just a nice chain reaction or domino effect that helps me feel more comfortable for the next meet down the line," Heyison said.
Along with excelling on the international stage, Heyison has also been successful with the Demon Deacons through her first two collegiate seasons.
After making her collegiate debut at the Wake Forest Invitational as a freshman, Heyison set new personal-bests in the discus and shot put during the 2025 outdoor season. She also placed inside the top-10 in the shot put three times during the indoor season, including a seventh place finish at the Mondo Invitational.
The recent success for the Deacs has also helped Heyison immensely during her national and international competitions.
"[Wake Forest] has given me the resources that I need to better my performance and do the best that I can internationally."
Heyison is set to compete in the women's discus throw F44 final on Sept. 29 and the women's shot put F44.
Stay tuned to the Wake Forest Track and Field social accounts as well as GoDeacs.com for updated coverage of Heyison and her time in New Delhi.
HEYISON CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
2024 Paralympian
2023 Maryland 4A State Discus & Shot Put Champion
2022 Maryland 4A State Discus Champion
Two-time U.S. Paralympics Track & Field High School Athlete of The Year
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS EXPERIENCE
Most recent: 2023 – bronze (Discus Throw F64 - Women, Shot Put F64 - Women)
Years of participation: Discus Throw F64 - Women 2023; Shot Put F64 - Women 2023
Medals: 2 (2 bronze)
Bronze – 2023 (Discus Throw F64 - Women, Shot Put F64 - Women)
Follow the Demon Deacons
Social: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | #GoDeacs
"It's an honor to represent Team USA and Wake Forest on a major global stage," Heyison said. "I look forward to competing in India and trying my best to bring a medal or two home."
Heyison, who was born with constricted band syndrome and started partaking in Para track and field in 2021. Prior to arriving at Wake Forest, the Adamstown, Maryland, native was a three-time high school state champion and also played soccer, softball and basketball growing up.
Heyison earned her spot to represent Team USA after an impressive showing at the USATF Para Nationals, where she placed first in the women's discus final and third place in the women's mixed shot put final.
This will mark the third international competition for Heyison in her career, having previously competed at the World Para Championships in 2023, as well as representing Team USA at the 2024 Paralympics in Paris.
"Every meet that I'm able to do internationally is just a nice chain reaction or domino effect that helps me feel more comfortable for the next meet down the line," Heyison said.
Along with excelling on the international stage, Heyison has also been successful with the Demon Deacons through her first two collegiate seasons.
After making her collegiate debut at the Wake Forest Invitational as a freshman, Heyison set new personal-bests in the discus and shot put during the 2025 outdoor season. She also placed inside the top-10 in the shot put three times during the indoor season, including a seventh place finish at the Mondo Invitational.
The recent success for the Deacs has also helped Heyison immensely during her national and international competitions.
"[Wake Forest] has given me the resources that I need to better my performance and do the best that I can internationally."
Heyison is set to compete in the women's discus throw F44 final on Sept. 29 and the women's shot put F44.
Stay tuned to the Wake Forest Track and Field social accounts as well as GoDeacs.com for updated coverage of Heyison and her time in New Delhi.
HEYISON CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
2024 Paralympian
2023 Maryland 4A State Discus & Shot Put Champion
2022 Maryland 4A State Discus Champion
Two-time U.S. Paralympics Track & Field High School Athlete of The Year
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS EXPERIENCE
Most recent: 2023 – bronze (Discus Throw F64 - Women, Shot Put F64 - Women)
Years of participation: Discus Throw F64 - Women 2023; Shot Put F64 - Women 2023
Medals: 2 (2 bronze)
Bronze – 2023 (Discus Throw F64 - Women, Shot Put F64 - Women)
Follow the Demon Deacons
Social: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | #GoDeacs
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