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Nearly three-hundred students from twelve local school districts enjoyed the Special Olympics Track & Field Spectacular held at ��Ӱֱ�� State.

The Track & Field Spectacular, hosted by the ��Ӱֱ�� State Athletic Department, started in 2013 and has taken place every spring to provide local students with the opportunity to enjoy a day of competition. Students ranging from elementary school students to high schoolers participated in an Olympic style march into the 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.

��Ӱֱ�� State women’s soccer Coach Anne Holmok teamed 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. This year, members of the Tri-County YMCA volunteered and worked with the Motor Activity Training Program.

“This is one of my favorite days of the year,” commented Holmok. “I am thankful for all the Pioneer athletes, my colleagues within the athletic department, and all the volunteers from across campus that came together to help with this event. The smiles, the laughs, and the high fives are the best. I am already excited about next year.”

��Ӱֱ�� State’s event has been honored with numerous awards over the years. Most recently, the 2024 event was awarded top honors by the National Association of Division III Athletic Administrators (NADIIIAA) for Special Olympic Community Events.

The Special Olympics organization is celebrated throughout Division III of the NCAA.