2023 track Season
Track events range from sprints and hurdle events to long distance events, from the high jump to the long jump, shot put, relays and wheelchair events. Special Olympics also offers events for athletes of lower ability levels to train and compete in basic track skills. From absolute beginner to advanced - all skill levels are welcome!
Track Events:
- Meter Runs - 100, 200, 400, 800
- Distance Events - 1500, 3000, 5000, 10,000 Meter
- Relay Runs
- Long Jump, Standing Jump
- Shot Put (weight changes with age and gender)
- Mini Javelin/Turbo Javelin (weight changes with age and gender)
- Wheelchair Race - 100, 200 and 400 Meter
- March-May
- Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:00-6:15pm
- North Kansas City area - exact location given when athlete registers
- Athletes of all skill levels are welcome!
- Volunteers and Unified Partners (age peers) are welcome to join us!
- If new, scroll down to form below. If already connected to email updates, you'll get a sign up email.
- A current sports physical will be required. Click here to complete that step.
- It is always free to join this sport!
- If you're interested, you can join the Northstars Booster Club! Just $30/calendar year to help the different team sports purchase equipment, pay for practice facilities (if outside NKC district), and help with special events like fundraisers, community awareness, and fun get-togethers.
- Email - you will be signed up for the email list when your athlete registers for the sport.
- GroupMe - you will be invited to a GroupMe group when your athlete registers for the sport.
- Facebook - be sure to follow our team page to see pictures of the team in action and get updates!
- Water bottle
frequently asked questions
What happens at practice?
Each practice is primarily skill building. We participate in the regional and state Special Olympic tournaments. If you know your athlete will not compete in tournaments, that plays into tournament and team assignments. First practice is primarily an info session where the head coach gives an overview of the season and athletes work on some basic skills. Your key contact for all team info during the season is the Northstars Team Rep.
My child has never done this sport. I’m wondering if this may be too high level?
You will be in good company at Northstars! We have athletes at all skill levels. Coaches will determine the skill level of each athlete and meet them where they're at. Very few of our athletes have had any group or competitive sports experience before Northstars. They just don't have those opportunities through other channels and that's why Northstars was started and is so popular. We have athletes at all levels of skill and ability and there's no pressure to "win". We hope you'll come with your athlete and check us out see if it might be a fit.
Do you need volunteers to help with the teams?
Yes. A big need is unified partners who are typical peers of our athletes. Unified Partners (UPs) play alongside our athletes and help them with skill building, building friendships and having fun with the game. UPs include siblings, friends, classmates, relatives and neighbors.
When are tournaments?
The regional tournament is generally near the end of the season in the KC area. Teams come from the western side of Missouri to participate. SOMO tournament info can be found at www.somo.org
What's the cost to compete in the SOMO State Games?
Each practice is primarily skill building. We participate in the regional and state Special Olympic tournaments. If you know your athlete will not compete in tournaments, that plays into tournament and team assignments. First practice is primarily an info session where the head coach gives an overview of the season and athletes work on some basic skills. Your key contact for all team info during the season is the Northstars Team Rep.
My child has never done this sport. I’m wondering if this may be too high level?
You will be in good company at Northstars! We have athletes at all skill levels. Coaches will determine the skill level of each athlete and meet them where they're at. Very few of our athletes have had any group or competitive sports experience before Northstars. They just don't have those opportunities through other channels and that's why Northstars was started and is so popular. We have athletes at all levels of skill and ability and there's no pressure to "win". We hope you'll come with your athlete and check us out see if it might be a fit.
Do you need volunteers to help with the teams?
Yes. A big need is unified partners who are typical peers of our athletes. Unified Partners (UPs) play alongside our athletes and help them with skill building, building friendships and having fun with the game. UPs include siblings, friends, classmates, relatives and neighbors.
When are tournaments?
The regional tournament is generally near the end of the season in the KC area. Teams come from the western side of Missouri to participate. SOMO tournament info can be found at www.somo.org
What's the cost to compete in the SOMO State Games?
- The NKC School District provides funding for athletes who participate in Special Olympics.
- Sometimes additional registration or travel fees apply for State Games participants. You will be notified of those costs in advance so you can choose how to participate.
- If this is something you need help paying for, please contact your coach immediately. We're here to help!
