Alfred State Hosts Special Olympic Track & Field Spectacular
Smiles, laughs, and high fives were in abundance on Friday morning as Alfred State hosted the 4th annual Special Olympics Track & Field Spectacular. The event held at Pioneer Stadium featured over 250 students from nine local school districts.
After an Olympic style opening ceremonies, athletes from Addison, Avoca, Bath Havering, Canaseraga, Canisteo Greenwood, Hornell, Jasper Troupsburg, Prattsburgh, and Wayland Cohocton took to the track, the jumping area, and the turf to compete. Athletes competed in running events ranging from 25 m to 400 m on the track and then moved over to compete in the long jump or throw a softball, tennis ball, or shot put.
Participants got to climb the award stand and received ribbons for their performances as fans cheered them on.
The Track & Field Spectacular began four years ago when the athletic department was preparing to make the move to Division III of the NCAA. Division III partners with local Special Olympic events throughout the country each year. Alfred State athletic department staff, student-athletes, and various volunteers from across the college volunteered to run events, cheer on the competitors, and give high fives.