In previous years, students have had the opportunity to compete in unified soccer, bowling, basketball and bocce ball. This year, Unified Sports has decided to implement a track team to its program starting on May 9.
There are less events than a traditional track team, but there are still many events for the athletes to choose from. Some of the events will include softball throw, standing long jump, 100-meter dash, 100-meter wheelchair, 200-meter dash, 400-meter dash, 4×100-meter dash and the 4×200-meter dash
Special learning teacher Erin Campbell said that the Unified Track and Field team will be a new, positive space for students that offer a way for people to get together and show off their school spirit.
“It brings people with and without disabilities together and allows people to compete in a safe space. Students also feel a sense of pride and school spirit, a sense of belonging,” Campbell said.
Unified Track and Field member senior Owen Carnagey said that, in Unified Track, students having fun while participating is more important than how well students do competitively.
“It is less focused on competition and more focused on allowing students to [play] against each other who don’t usually get to,” Carnagey said.
Advertised during his IPS class, Carnagey said he was asked if he could help out on the team. Carnagey said he joined the Unified Track team to build a stronger bond with those peers.
Sophomore Elliot Ramsey said that the Unified Track team was mentioned to him by Special learning teacher Angela Wilson. Ramsey said what made him decide to actually join the team was his love for running and a desire to help others enjoy the activity, even if they haven’t tried track before.
“I really like running, so I thought it would be fun to do it with other kids, so that they could get into running because maybe they would like it. Maybe they have never tried it before,” Ramsey said.
Because the track is closing for repairs on May 1,Wilson said the Unified Track meets will be hosted at West Middle School.
“The [Free State] track will be going under construction this summer. Some of the work is supposed to begin in May, which is why the track meet and graduation are moved to other locations,” Wilson said.
Since the track’s construction affects both practices and meets, Wilson said she is recruiting for next year’s Unified Track team starting now. Wilson said you don’t have to be on the school’s original track team to join the school’s Unified Track team.
“You don’t have to be on the Free State track team to participate, so if you’re interested, you know, say you’re a runner, and it’s kind of something that would be interesting to you,” Wilson said. “You’re definitely always welcome to come out and join us and be part of it.”
