<p>Regardless of what color shirt they wore or what color ribbon they received after the race, nearly every runner crossed the finish line happy and proud.</p>
<p>An estimated 225 participants from Center Grove’s elementary and middle schools descended upon the track at Center Grove Middle School Central on Monday to take part in the district’s second annual Unified Sports Game Day, a series of athletic events set up to allow children with special needs an opportunity to participate in a competitive — but not too competitive — setting.</p>
<p>First-place finishers were named, but an athlete’s place on the podium was far from the most important part of the day.</p>
<p>"It’s not about winning," said Alexander Haines, a student from Center Grove Middle School North. "It’s about racing and having fun."</p>[sc:text-divider text-divider-title="Story continues below gallery" ]Click here to purchase photos from this gallery
<p>Students of varying abilities in grades 3-8 competed in different events, including sprints, relays, hurdles, long jump, softball throw and tricycle races. A series of stations, with activities such as bowling, was set up on the infield for elementary students from kindergarten through second grade.</p>
<p>Leading up to the meet, participating students practiced once a week for 12 weeks in order to prepare. The big payoff came on Monday — especially for the elementary school participants, who had the Center Grove Elementary School student body packing the bleachers and loudly supporting the competitors in each event regardless of what school they were from or where they finished.</p>
<p>"It’s just about everyone coming out and being unified and having a lot of fun," said Bernie Doyle, a physical education teacher at Maple Grove Elementary School.</p>
<p>Unified Sports was developed by Special Olympics to provide an inclusive athletic training and competition experience.</p>
<p>For students involved, with or without disabilities, the experience is universally rewarding. Kylie Smith, a Center Grove Middle School North student who signed up to be a peer helper this year, says that she didn’t know about the inaugural event last spring but definitely plans to continue doing future Unified sporting events with her classmates.</p>
<p>"I just love working with them," Smith said. "I’m really glad I did it this year."</p>
