Nearly 300 students from eleven local school districts bundled up and dodged occasional rain drops at the annual Special Olympics Track & Field Spectacular held at Alfred State.
The Alfred State Athletic Department started hosting local schools for the Track & Field Spectacular in 2013 and the event has taken place every Spring. Students ranging from elementary school students to high schoolers participated in an Olympic style march into Pioneer Stadium and recited the Special Olympics oath before competing in both running and field events.
Each athlete earned ribbons after participating in a running event, ranging from a 25m run or walk all the way up to a 400m. The athletes also had a choice of participating in a jumping or a throwing event.
Alfred State women’s soccer Coach Anne Holmok teams with women’s basketball Coach Taylor Button to coordinate the event. The rest of the Athletic Department staff, hundreds of Pioneer student-athletes, and volunteers from across campus pitched in to put on the event. Members of the Tri-County YMCA volunteered and worked with the Motor Activity Training Program.
“The energy, the smiles, and the shared moments of joy are what make this event so special,” commented Holmok. “This is truly one of the most rewarding days of the year. Taylor and I are deeply appreciative of our Pioneer student-athletes, our colleagues in the athletic department, and the volunteers from across campus who made this event a success. I am already excited for what next year will bring.”
Athletes from Addison, Alfred Almond, Andover, Arkport, Avoca, Bath Haverling, Canaseraga, Canisteo Greenwood, Dansville, Hornell, and Wayland Cohocton competed.
The Special Olympics organization is celebrated throughout Division III of the NCAA.