'They can do it, too': Athletes with Down syndrome, autism compete in Austin triathlon

Matt Owens and Stewart Mickler swim in Lake Travis as they train for the SuperTri triathlon. They were practicing their communication skills in the water. Mickler will swim alongside Owens as part of a unified team of racers.

(Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman) Kayleigh Williamson and Carter Cawley are running up and down hills by West Fifth Street as part of the Austin Triathlon Club's training. "If I didn't run, I would be bored," Cawley said. Williamson runs because of the inspiration of her "heavenly" grandmother.

"She tells me to go farther," Williamson said. Carl Owens helps his son, Matt Owens, get on his swim cap before training with Stewart Mickler, left, at Lake Travis. (Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman) The next day, Matt Owens strikes a pose to show off his arm muscles, or "his guns," as he and his father call them.

Owens starts walking toward Lake Travis where he and Stewart Mickler will swim around a marina, getting used to communicating with each other. On Monday, Williamson, Cawley and Owens will cross the finish line at the Ascension Seton SuperTri as part of two unified triathlon teams. Williamson and Owens will be on a team with Mickler, who will guide them through their parts of the race by running a 5K with Williamson and swimming 750 meters with Owens.