Webster CSD Hosts Northeast Monroe County
Special Olympics’ Track & Field Competition

Webster CSD is pleased to announce that it will host the Northeast Monroe County Special Olympics Track & Field Day on Tuesday, May 23 at the Webster Schroeder High School track, 875 Ridge Road, Webster.

The day will unfold as follows:

• 8:45-9:30 a.m. Arrival & Registration

• 9:45-10:15 a.m. Opening Ceremonies

• 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Competitions

• 1:45 p.m. Athletes’ Departure

Participating in this year's events are athletes from Webster Schroeder, Webster Thomas, East Irondequoit, West Irondequoit, Penfield, Creekside, Mary Cariola, and Greece schools. They will compete in track, field, and adaptive events, including, 50m dash, 100m dash, 200m dash, 400m dash, 4x110m relay, 800m run, softball throw, standing long jump, running long jump, shot put, 25m manual wheelchair, 25m electric wheelchair, and wheelchair softball throw.
 
Also, new this year, are opportunities for younger special Olympians to enjoy.

Special Olympics NY is offering more opportunity for age-appropriate sport activities at their school based competitions. You may be familiar with their Young Athletes events at track and field meets in the past. This year, Special Olympics NY is offering a non-competitive motor learning and sport learning program for athletes ages 2-7 and 8-11 through their Young Athletes and Developmental Sports areas at school-age track and field events. This is a best practice that started at the Monroe County Public School Athletic Conference South West School Age Track and Field Competition in 2022.

Young Athletes events offer a variety of motor learning stations that introduce athletes to play and develop skills that lead to sport-specific movements and activities. Athletes ages 2-7 participate in a variety of motor learning stations using equipment from Special Olympics NY's Young Athletes kits. Stations may include activities like obstacle course, parachute games, run and carry, balance beam, target practice, and more.

Athletes ages 8-11 participate in Special Olympics Developmental Sports program, which is a step up from Young Athletes and focuses on skill development in sport activities. For this track and field event, Special Olympics NY offers stations like a 25m and 50m dash exhibition, ball throw with different size and style balls, and a standing long jump area for athletes to practice the events that they will compete in as they  grow older.

Both of these Special Olympics NY programs are designed to offer age appropriate experiences to younger athletes that will prepare them for authentic Special Olympics competition. Special Olympics NY is encouraging host schools to implement Young Athletes and Developmental Sports at their school-age track and field events moving forward to encourage the age-appropriate progression of motor learning and skill development as athletes go from elementary level skill development to competitive participation at the middle and high school levels.

Spectators are welcome and asked to park at the Webster Aquatic Center.
 

About Special Olympics New York

Special Olympics New York provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-style sports for all children and adults with intellectual disabilities giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in a sharing of skills and friendship with their families, Special Olympics athletes, and the community. Through their participation in Special Olympics New York athletes gain confidence and build a positive self-image, which carries into the classroom, the home, the workplace, and the community.

Children and adults with intellectual disabilities who participate in Special Olympics develop not only improved physical fitness, but also motor skills, greater self-confidence, and a more positive self-image. They grow mentally, socially, and spiritually and, through their activities, exhibit boundless courage and enthusiasm, enjoy the rewards of friendship, and ultimately discover not only new abilities and talents but "their voices" as well.