First ever Unified Special Olympics held in Ventura County
The first Unified Special Olympics track meet took place at Camarillo High School on Friday. This is different than other Special Olympic events we’ve seen up and down the coast.
It’s Special Olympics, but with a twist.
“What we are doing is combining special education students and general education students to compete together in track events,” said Tim Ballaret, who is the senior manager with sports and programs for Special Olympics.
Other places in California have adopted this program, but it was the first time the Unified track meet was held in Ventura County. Seven high schools up and down the coast participated in Fridays event held at Camarillo high school. Special education students along with their partner ran, jumped and threw together hoping to get the best combine score among other schools.
“I just wanted to help out the community, and with the special education students,” said Gwen Tomaschow, who is a general education student at Rio Mesa high school. “It’s something different and something not everyone wants to do, but I wanted to do it with them.”
“Our student athletes have done a great job with the severely handicap athletes,” said Dennis Reidmiller, who is a special education teacher at Camarillo high school. “They both just appreciate each other. It’s just fun to watch.”
With CIF on board, Special Olympics is looking to eventually turn this program into actual leagues just like we see high school sports.
“I’m hoping to create a Ventura County league and also with the Santa Barbara schools a Santa Barbara league and we can have this be a part of the actual track season,” said Ballarat. “They would offer section championships and would eventually grow to State Championships.”
It’s something that everybody, including general educations students are excited about.
David Kolar, Buena:
“It gives them something to cheer about,” said David Kolar, who is a general education student at Buena high school. “They are out here and having fun and instead of sitting around in the classroom they are out here and exercising and they are really happy.”
