“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 on Tuesday evenings for about an hour. Athletes are placed on practice teams of five to seven athletes, as the head coach feels appropriate and we 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 opportunity 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.

Timing of our athletes (in their preferred races) is completed the first few weeks of practice allowing for placement is to correct divisions for competition.  Track athletes compete as much as possible against other runners of similar ability.  Athletes are then placed in divisions for State based on their times from the Area meet.  If you sign up for a relay race, you must commit to competition.

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 inclement weather resulting in the need to cancel.  For meets, athletes wear their blue Wings shirt with shorts or sweatpants.

Please see http://specialolympicsminnesota.org/sports/athletics/ for additional information.