Spring Grove Unified Sports track team members describe their experiences
SPRING GROVE, Pa. — Special Olympics started Unified Sports to bring athletes, with and without disabilities, together on the same team. Based on the concept of uniting people through sports, Unified sports promotes social inclusion, friendship and understanding.
According to the Special Olympics’ website (www.specialolympics.org), “In Unified Sports, teams are made up of people of similar age and ability. That makes practices more fun and games more challenging and exciting for all. Having sport in common is just one more way that preconceptions and false ideas are swept away.”
In their own words, a Spring Grove unified sports track member, a track team member, and their coach describe what the Unified Sports experience has meant to them:
“My name is Gary and I am an athlete at Spring Grove Area High School for the Unified Track and Field team. During unified track I was partnered with Cadence who helped me throw javelin and run the 100 meter dash. This year I am going to try and stay in my lane when I am running. When we do stretches I am also going to try and work on my balance and challenge myself. The best advice I was given is to stay in my lane so I could win my race and to run fast so I could cheer for Thomas the train. My favorite things about the sport are making new friends, riding the bus to travel to different schools, and cheering for Thomas. Before every game I always ate a snack that my mommy packed for me. Other things I like to do outside of my sport is going to school and playing outside in the warm weather. From being a member of the team I have learned that sports are fun and you can make so many friends. I prefer running over throwing but I love to do both.”
“My name is Cadence McCandless and I am a senior at Spring Grove Area High School. Last season was my first season being a part of the Unified Track and Field team and I absolutely loved the experience. I ran the 100 meter dash and threw shot put during the season while also helping Gary and the other students with stretching, throwing, running, and jumping. A major goal I had last year and still have going into this year’s season is to improve every athlete’s perspective on sports and make them feel as though they are just like everyone else and can do anything they put their mind to. One of the biggest challenges that I had in unified track was trying to understand how I could assist each athlete. Since the athletes are students with special needs or disabilities they all had different ways of learning and understanding things. One thing with Gary was that he loved Thomas the train so when he had trouble staying in his lane we told him to act like Thomas does and stay in between the “railroad tracks,” or lane lines. Once I was able to adapt to each student’s way of learning I could see them thrive and succeed in the sport. The student’s performance just over a few months increased and it was so rewarding to watch them win their first race or throw further than anyone else in their heat. The best advice I was given is to keep doing what I am doing because I worked so well with the students. I absolutely love everything about the sport, especially realizing the impact I had on each student and how much I have helped them grow and mature. Outside of my sport I like to volunteer at York Hospital and also at my local fire department. Being a member of such a great team has taught me that winning and losing means nothing, it is all about your support system. The reaction that every student had when we were announced sixth place out of seven teams demonstrated that we were a team who supported each other and did not care about the score. We all cheered and jumped up and down like we just won first place in the world!”
“My name is Coach Abbie Sechrist, and I am a Unified Track and Field Coach at Spring Grove High School. I am a shot-put coach. Last spring was my first-year coaching, and I loved every minute of it. I stepped into this role because a colleague asked me to help, and I do not regret that decision. The team started out getting to know one another for the first few weeks to build relationships. This was so important because then everyone supported each other in everything they did. For practices, we start with a warm-up and then do a little running and throwing to practice for their individual event, concluding with a cool down. I think our last meet was special because the team was bonding well and did not want to finish last in the county meet. They cheered for everyone in their specific events. We finished 6th out of 7 teams, and you would have thought that they won the entire meet. They were beyond excited! My proudest moment in coaching came when I spoke with parents about their daughter being a leader and doing something completely out of her comfort zone. Their daughter is a shot putter and an excellent partner. She’s always doing her best to encourage and support everyone on the team. She always strives to know more about how to throw farther by watching videos or even asking competitors from different schools. She tried different techniques to see what felt right for her as well as how to throw further for next time. She took this event seriously and wanted to do her best at every competition. My biggest life lesson as a unified track and field coach is accepting others, including others, and building relationships with those that may be different from us. Our partners stepped up to this role and supported our athletes at every practice and event by encouraging them and cheering for them. We choose to include everyone at SPRING GROVE!”
Supported by the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) and the Bureau of Special Education, Pennsylvania Department of Education, Special Olympics of PA (SOPA), is active in 91 schools, located in 12 counties plus Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.
SOPA is always looking for volunteers, the backbone of their organization. According to their website, “We could not exist without the dedication of thousands of Pennsylvania citizens. The time, energy and enthusiasm of volunteers fuel our movement and make our athletes’ dreams a reality. There is a place for everyone in our organization.” To volunteer, visit www.specialolympicspa.org
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