As the gunshot echoes through the air, athletes sprint with full force, appreciating the joys of track and field. Meanwhile, a different group of athletes is obligated to watch from a distance, eager to join in on the excitement. These individuals are those who need extensive support services. Fortunately, the Unified Track team, which has been recently reinstated, is committed to enabling these athletes to participate in all track events that they desire.

Founded in 2015, Unified Track and Field has seen an increase in popularity throughout all of California and has been recognized as a California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) sport since 2016. Teachers and students alike look to offer these kids a wide range of events, such as the 100m and 4x100m dashes, as well as the shot put and long jump. After the first practice, held on Thursday, March 30, the athletes were able to meet their buddies, warm up and participate in a relay race. These buddies, who are track athletes, are paired up for the entire season and compete alongside the students. Individually, each person is scored on a point system and together, their collective score is then compared to other competitors. 

A new buddy and member of the track program, sophomore Audrey Markovich, talked about the first practice and is looking forward to the season.

“The first practice was awesome. I got to meet all the kids as well as my buddy. My buddy is deaf, so I got to learn a bunch of sign language, such as track words. [I had the opportunity] to meet new people and run with some of my peers [which] is awesome to me. It’s amazing that we are able to share the sport [track] and it is something I look forward to continuing,” Markovich said.

While Markovich will continue to help her buddy throughout the season by running side by side on the track, a spectator from the sidelines has similar input. Jack Goodman, a special education teacher, sees Unified Track as a massive success.

“Going in I wasn’t sure about [Unified Track], but the kids love it, and it seems like the buddies got a lot out of it too. Not only that but our kids came back and kept talking about it and were eager to do it again,” Goodman said.

As the Unified Track season continues, the students will continue to train every Thursday at lunch, to participate in Marin County Athletic League finals which take place on May 6, as they strive to make their way to the CIF state tournament. While the CIF tournament is the ultimate goal, the program’s key value lies in ensuring that students are not constrained by their limitations during their track experience. Step by step, the program will help more kids get the chance to compete while representing the Redwood logo.