A team from Ada High school competed in the annual Track and Field Special Olympics and, according to Sheri Wright, special education teacher and team coach, they won awards in several events.

• 50 meter run:
  • Shania Strunk 2nd
  • Major Rogers 4th
• Softball throw:
  • Major Rogers 1st

This was not Wright’s first time serving as the Ada High Special Olympics team coach.

“Oh I love it. I love going every year. I’ve done this for 25 years so it’s a lot of fun and the kids enjoy it and that’s what really brings a lot of joy to me.”

The competition was free for students and adults to attend, and anyone with special needs and a Special Olympics coach could participate. Athletes from tri-county schools such as Sulphur, Vanoss, Latta, Byng, Stonewall and New Lima participated. The participants, said Wright, also included many adults, competing with an independent Special Olympics team.

The scores will transfer to the state Special Olympics event. This event is held in the middle of May in Stillwater, and competitors will have the opportunity to stay in the dormitories at Oklahoma State University. Thousands of students attend the competition each year.

The Special Olympics team competes in events other than track. There is a Special Olympics bowling team which meet at Lazer Zone and bowls for ribbons. Other events include botchee, golf, horseback riding, swimming, horseshoe throw and unified partner.

Unified partner is an event in which a member of the regular population joins in competition with a member of the Special Olympics team.

To find out when upcoming events are taking place, ask Wright or check the Special Olympics Oklahoma website.