Athletics is the title for the Special Olympics Track and Field team. This is one of our spring sports running from April to June. Practices are on generally in Hopkins. Athletes are placed on practice teams of five to seven athletes, as the head coach feels appropriate and usually have two to three coaches per team. Track events include races of all distances for wheelchair, walking and running athletes. Field events include long jumps, softball/tennis ball throws and shotput. Athletes have the chance to practice multiple events and can compete in three individual events and one relay at meets.
The athletes usually do a warm up lap or two together and then divide into their assigned teams. The coaches work with the athletes to go through a variety of events, determined by the head coach to best suit their abilities. There is room for athletes of all ability on this team as the practice is tailored to each need. Unified Partners are also welcome to join and can compete in relay events.
Times are checked a few weeks prior to Area to allow athletes to be placed in the correct division. Track athletes compete as much as possible against other runners of like ability. Athletes are then placed in divisions for State based on their times from Area. Often there are more than one division in a heat so an athlete may be beaten by someone on the track at the same time but actually still win their division. It is possible to be on the Athletic team and not participate in Area or State meets – please let the head coach know if you are not available for meets to plan for relays.
Athletes should dress comfortable with good running shoes for practices. All practices are outside so weather should be taken into account. Practices will not be canceled for a little rain or wind. Emails will be sent and the website updated for particularly bad weather resulting in the need to cancel. For meets, athletes wear their blue Team G shirt with shorts or sweatpants.
Details of practice for 2020:
When: Mondays 6:15 – 7:45 beginning April 13th (weather permitting)
- Younger athletes (8-12) – 6:15 – 7 p.m.
- Older athletes (13+) – 7:15 – 7:45 p.m.
Where: Blake Middle School track in Hopkins where we have practiced in past years.
Participation: Your athlete must be able to run unaccompanied down the lanes to practice/compete without a parent one-on-one. If your child needs assistance with standing at the starting line and needs someone running next to him/her during our practice/races, we will register your athlete for “assisted” category of events. We need for the parent to be the “assist” or find a dedicated friend or family member who will come to every practice and meet to serve this role. This “assistor” will need to complete SOMN paperwork to be a Level 1 volunteer to be allowed on the track to do this assisting.
We cannot provide enough volunteers to do this role at practice and at meets. If you believe your athlete needs this, please plan to discuss this with Coach Karen so that she can help you complete your paperwork and she can register your athlete in the proper Division for the Area meet.
Area Meet: Saturday, May 16th at Roosevelt High School
State Competition: June 19-21 at St. Thomas. Your athlete must compete at Area meet to participate in the State meet.
Register online here .
Please see specialolympicsminnesota.org/sports/athletics for more information.
