Johnson County’s Hightshue Preparing for 2026 USA Games

The biggest achievement for any Special Olympics athlete is to reach national and international competition.

It’s a dream come true in their chosen sport. It is a bucket list opportunity many wait their whole lives to enjoy.

For Elijah Hightshue, an 18-year-old from Johnson County, that opportunity comes next year when to heads to Minneapolis as part of Team Indiana to compete in golf at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games.

“I have been playing golf for almost 8 years,” Highshoe said. “I love Special Olympics, because I can make a lot of new friends and have a lot of friends.”

A few weeks ago, Hightshue began learning his Team Indiana teammates. Some are old friends. Others he will meet for the first time. All of them will inspire him to do his best.

More than 100 athletes, Unified partners, coaches and volunteers will represent their counties and their state as part of Team Indiana.

On April 6 at the Adult State Basketball Tournament in Westfield, Special Olympics Indiana introduced the first wave of athletes that will make up Team Indiana and compete for gold in Minnesota.

Hightshue is part of that group. He is hoping to make this potential once-in-a-lifetime opportunity into something very special.

“I am looking forward to being a part of Team Indiana, and also I live on a golf course, which will give me the opportunity to practice a lot to enhance my skills come the games,” he said.

Team Indiana members will attend training camps in the lead-up to the 2026 USA Games. Rosters for bocce, bowling, women’s golf, powerlifting, soccer, swimming and track and field will be announced later.