TRACK & FIELD
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 generally on Wednesday evenings for a little over an hour. 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 opportunity to practice multiple events and can compete in three individual events and one relay at meets.
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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.
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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 runner 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 that is your intention.
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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 St. Cloud Area shirt with shorts or sweatpants.
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Head Coach: Kevin Kourajian