With their forearms resting on the bar, spectators filled in along a chain-link fence that lined the runway of the long jump pit. Their attention quickly turned to Killeen ISD’s Javen Carter, whose turn was next.
Carter, with a confident glare, lifted his right arm and said, “Give me a countdown!”
The crowd happily obliged the request. “Three, two, one,” the fans chanted in unison.
Off Carter went down the runway, launching himself into the sand, accompanied by applause soon after.
And that was just the beginning of the excitement during the Special Olympics Region 12 Area Track and Field meet at Belton High School where cloudy sky gave way to abundant sunshine over Tiger Field, which already was lit up by strong competition and wide smiles.
Carter and about 25 other KISD Dream Team Special Olympics athletes turned in quite the performances Thursday, sprinting, jumping, steering and throwing their way to dozens of medals.
There also was no shortage of team spirit, shared passions for sport and robust cheering. Every so often, dancing took center stage, and those hamburgers for lunch were big hits, too.
“Let’s go!” Dante Williams’ favorite phrase, served as the rally motto for the Killeen contingent.
And KISD’s energetic athletes certainly got after it.
“Starting in January, they’ve practiced every Saturday at Shoemaker High School, so it’s been many months of practice to get us to this point here,” KISD director for specialized learning Rhona Huggins said. "It’s been amazing to watch them interact with each other and grow during that time.
“And I know they love to compete just like their peers. They get to tell their peers that ‘Hey, I have a track meet today,'" Huggins continued. "We always encourage them to do their best out there, but they want that gold medal, too. They like that gold medal.”
That was evident during the 4x100-meter relay when Janiah Dean sprinted right out of her right shoe after the final baton exchange. She kept her eyes focused on the finish line, though. Her only thought was to keep going.
“You know what? Just forget it,” she exclaimed after the team finished second and was resting on a bench waiting for their medal.
More than 260 athletes from nine delegations participated Thursday in events such as standing long jump, running long jump, softball throw, tennis ball throw, 100, 200 and 400 dash, wheelchair events and walking events.
KISD athletes were accompanied by six coaches and other volunteers. Athletes from Belton ISD, Academy, Bosqueville, Waco Midway, Lampasas, Connally, Temple and China Spring also attended.
“You see them at practice and sometimes they are shy at first. Then you see them come out here, you see everything in full effect and how all that hard work has paid off. It’s so rewarding,” said Jessica Manns, who’s been a parent volunteer coach for the Dream Team for 12 years and was watching her son Jayian Manns, a senior, compete Thursday in his final area meet.
The next meet for the Dream Team is the Special Olympics Summer Games State Meet May 1-4 in Melissa.
For more photos of Thursday’s action, click here.
