On Friday, April 22, students from Frisco ISD’s special education program will have the opportunity to show off their skills and have fun at the Special Olympics track and field meet at Kuykendall Stadium. The athletes, cheerleaders, mascots, and families will gather at Kuykendall Stadium to take part in the event from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

The event will feature races and track events including wheelchair races, running long jump, tennis ball throw, and more. The event also provides accommodations for the use of assistive devices for different ages and for different ability levels. The only requirements to participate are that the athletes must be at least eight years old, in a special education class, and have a current medical form on file.

But the athletes won’t be performing for themselves. There will be many cheerleaders to cheer the students on, as well as mascots to greet the athletes and even compete in a mascot race for the opening ceremonies. 

The Frisco ISD Adapted PE (APE) teachers started this annual field and track meet seven years ago when they realized the need for this type of event.

“As Frisco ISD grows, the APE team saw the need to host our very own event to show off the talent of our many student-athletes.  As we grew, our delegation was too big to go to another district meet therefore we started our own Frisco ISD Special Olympics track meet,” APE teacher Natalie McPhail said.

This fun, inclusive, and encouraging event will allow the athletes to compete, win medals, have fun, and show off their amazing talents.