The sport of athletics encourages athletes of all abilities and ages to compete at their optimum level. Through the track-and-field-based athletics training program, participants can develop total fitness to compete in any sport. A major difference of Special Olympics Athletics is that athletes compete for medals in their division. Athletes are grouped into divisions by qualifying scores to provide all athletes with a competitive experience and opportunity to win. In order to adapt the sport to all Special Olympics Athletes, we conduct runs, walks and wheelchair events in addition to more traditional race distances.
We offer Juniors- (grades 1-5), Intermediate- (grades 6-12) and Seniors-level (age 21 and older) training and competition.
All athletes train to qualify to be eligible for consideration for selection for competition in summer games.
Track events: Sprint and long distance races race distances: 25, 50, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1500, 3000 meters.
Field events: Ball throw, mini-javelin, shot put, standing and running long jump.
Wheelchair events: motorized and non-motorized, sprint and slalom races.
| Coaches | Matt Berzok – Head Coach Susan Fitzgerald – Assistant Coach Tina Connolly – Sport Director |
| Season Dates & Times | Practices: Sundays, starting March 29, 2026 Qualifiers: Baltimore County – Saturday, May 9, 2026 at McDonogh School State Games: June 12 to June 14, 2026 (for those who qualify) Signup Begins: Sunday, February 22, 2026 at 6PM |
| Athlete & Volunteer Registration Expiration Date | Sport’s State Games competition date: June 14, 2026 All Forms must be up to date before the signup date (third Sunday in February). If not, your Athlete WILL NOT be allowed to attend practice. The expiration date on an Athlete’s Registration form, or a Volunteer’s certification, must be after the above State Games competition date to participate in the upcoming season. |
Athletes that sign-up for Track and Field are automatically registered for Friday Evening Conditioning. There is no need to sign up separately. Participation in Friday Evening Conditioning is optional for Track and Field athletes.
You can find the official Special Olympics Rules, Fact Sheet, Coaching Guide, and other resources at this link: Special Olympics Athletics.
SOMO provides athletes with all equipment required for Track and Field events.
Athletes are responsible for wearing athletic clothes to practice (examples: shorts or track pants or sweat pants, t-shirt or sweat shirt; hat and gloves if it is cold). Athletes and volunteers must wear running shoes or sneakers to be on the track or the field. SOMO provides athletes with uniforms for regional and state competitions.
Location: Sherwood High School (300 Olney Sandy Spring Rd, Sandy Spring, MD 20860).
Timing: Practice occurs every Sunday afternoon from season start until the Sunday before Summer Games, noon to 1:30pm. There is no practice on Easter, Mother’s Day, and occasionally 1-2 additional dates throughout the season (TBA by the Track and Field Head Coach and/or Team Manager). On occasion, Qualifiers will replace practices. The decision will be up to the Head Coach. Athletes should arrive 10-15 minutes before practice to get signed in, but should not enter the stadium until the coaches grant permission.
Activities: Practice begins with warm-ups, and stretching. Athletes then go by small group to running and field skills and drills. Activities have the goal of teaching and improving skills. Athletes will be assigned to coaches and/or volunteers.
Please refer to the Friday Evening Conditioning page for that practice’s location, timing and activities.
The Track & Field team will participate in two or more qualifiers. Attendance at the SOMO Spring Games and one additional qualifier is mandatory for athletes to be eligible for State Games. At qualifiers, athletes can compete in three individual events. Coaches will work with athletes to select appropriate race distances and field events based on the athlete’s desire and abilities:
SOMD Summer Games will be held at Towson University in mid-June.
Athletes must attend practice regularly and participate in two Qualifiers to be eligible to compete in Summer Games. We will have a team meeting to discuss this in detail.
Track and Field athletes must commit to Track and Field as their only Spring sport. Track and Field athletes are automatically registered for Friday Evening Conditioning.
Track and Field is both an individual sport and a team sport. Athletes commit to attend all practices, and at least two sanctioned qualifying events (including the Montgomery Spring Games). Athletes also commit to work with the coaching staff to increase stamina, increase event distances and increase/improve skills and techniques.
Our Summer Games Track and Field delegation will be a mix of “In-House” athletes and “Day-of” athletes. “In-House” athletes stay with coaches and chaperones in a Towson University dorm. “Day-of” athletes travel to Towson with their chaperone for each day of competition.
The “In-House” Delegation slots are limited and have specific requirements for qualification. First, athletes must have a level of independence consistent with dorm requirements to be considered for housing. In addition, a strong record of attending practice, arriving on-time, and displaying good sportsmanship improve an athlete’s chance of being selected for the “In-House” Delegation.
Some “Day-of” athletes only participate in 1 day of competition. If you are a “Day-of” athlete and wish to only participate in 1 day of competition, please tell the Head Coach.
We need help for a successful season. We are a 100% volunteer coaching and management staff. Parents, family members, and counselors can help as assistant coaches, chaperones, and unified partners for athletes. If you wish to help, and we hope you do, please register as a SOMO volunteer (see instructions here) and sign-up as a Track and Field volunteer when you sign-up your athlete for the season.
Only registered SOMO Track & Field athletes and registered volunteers are allowed on the track and field. Parents and spectators who are not registered as volunteers are required to stay in the stands as spectators.
