Hundreds of athletes from around the Fort Worth area took to the track and field of Ranger Stadium at Chisholm Trial High School last Friday and Saturday to compete in the 2024 Area 11 Special Olympics Track and Field Meet.
More than 700 Special Olympians participated in front of family, fans and hundreds of volunteers.
The meet kicked off on Friday with spirited competitions among student-athletes, showcasing their talents and determination on the track and in the field. On Saturday, the excitement continued as the competition shifted to adult teams from around the area.
Walter Berringer, EMS ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ Executive Director of Secondary Services and one of the key organizers of the event, said, "It's truly heartwarming to see the dedication and enthusiasm of all the participants. This event is about more than just sports; it's about celebrating the abilities and achievements of every individual involved."
Each day began with an opening ceremony, with all athletes parading into the stadium, and a special procession for the Special Olympics torch, held by athletes 
surrounded by local law enforcement, longtime supporters of the Special Olympics. On Friday, Trailblazers Paul Sinclair and Braylon Richardson had the honor of carrying the torch to light the cauldron to begin the games.
26 student athletes competed for the Trailblazers, including in the 25-meter, 50-meter, and 100-meter run. A team of boys also competed in the 4X100 relay and took second place. In the afternoon, Trailblazers competed in the javelin, tennis ball throw, softball throw, long jump and standing long jump. 11 Trailblazers finished first in their events.
Emily Kasper, EMS ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ Trailblazers coach, commended the athletes for their hard work and perseverance, saying, "The Area 11 Track and Field Meet is a testament to the practice and hard work of our Special Olympians. They inspire us all with their passion and determination, and it's an honor to support them in their journey."
As the Area 11 Track and Field Meet concluded, organizers expressed gratitude to all participants, volunteers and supporters who contributed to its success.
“We're humbled by the opportunity to have partnered with Special Olympics of Texas and so many other community agencies and entities. Local police agencies, Tarrant County College, EMS PTO, local churches and EMS ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ just to name a few, all pitched in to make the SOTX Area 11 Track and Field Meet an excellent event," Berringer said.
We are #EMSproud of our Trailblazers, and all the athletes who were part of the event, and we thank the volunteers from around the EMS ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ community who came together to make this event possible.
