Three Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) Unified track and field teams raced to the winner’s circle earlier this week at the Special Olympics Maryland Unified Track and Field state competition.
The teams each took home first place in their respective divisions which are based on the number of students on a team.
A combined team of 21 students from North Point and Westlake high schools placed first in Division 1; a combined team of 26 students from Maurice J. McDonough and Thomas Stone high schools placed first in Division 3; and La Plata High School, which is made up of 35 students, placed first in Division 4.
Special Olympics Maryland is a program that brings students with and without disabilities together to compete on the same team.
“Our school has an incredibly inclusive student body that warmly welcomes and supports all student-athletes,” Stephanie Barry, La Plata social studies and special education teacher, said.
She has coached La Plata’s Unified bocce and track and field teams for years. “Unified sports provide students with meaningful opportunities to build acceptance, work toward shared goals and develop lasting friendships,” Barry said. “These connections extend beyond practices and competitions, as students regularly interact in the hallways and cafeteria, helping to foster a truly inclusive school environment.”
CCPS high school students can participate in Unified tennis in the fall, bocce in the winter with track and field held in the spring. Teams hold practices during the week and compete locally, before heading to divisional and eventually the state competitions.
