The weather is getting warmer and that means it is track and field season for Owatonna Area Special Olympics. The season has started out with a few challenges, all weather related. Cancellations for rain are never fun, but, the team has prevailed and they are ready for the Area 10 Meet on Saturday, May 13.

The Area Meet will take place in Rochester at John Marshall High School, starting with the Parade of Athletes scheduled for 9AM. This will be followed by the Opening Ceremonies and then competition begins in earnest.

Area 10 Parade of Athletes/Melissa Hall TownSquare Media
Area 10 Parade of Athletes/Melissa Hall TownSquare Media
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Owatonna has 23 athletes competing this weekend. There are several field events offered, from the tennis ball throw to the shot put, standing and running long jumps, and there is even one athlete competing in the pentathlon. There are also the track events -- the 50-meter dash, 100-meter dash, up to the 1,500-meter run, as well as the wheelchair slaloms and races.

Owatonna has three 4X100 relay teams, with one of them being a Unified team, so there are two Unified partners who will be competing in the relays. More information about the Unified Partners can be found here.

The weather forecast looks to be absolutely wonderful for a day at the track, with highs around 78 degrees, so I am looking forward to getting out and cheering on some great athletes. If you are going to be in the Rochester area, come check out the Area 10 Track and Field Meet at John Marshall High School.

Owatonna Area Special Olympics is also looking for more coaches to add to our great team of coaches. If that is something that interests you, check out the Minnesota Special Olympics web page; everything you need to sign up is right online. You don't have to have any sports experience to be a coach. I don't and I am a registered coach.

After this weekend, our athletes will continue to practice twice a week, getting ready for the State Games, which take place in June. That will be the culmination of the season.

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