Linganore hosted their first meet Friday, April 11th. Although the team does not keep score, the athletes had strong performances and scored in many different events. Everyone was especially excited because there were seven teams participating, two coming from Carroll County.

Mr. Robert Peters, FCPS Energy Specialist is the head coach. Assistants include Mrs. Susan Delizia, Mr. Mark Sunkel, and Mrs. Cheryl Novotny.

On April 4th the Unified Track team had time trials, determining which category the runners will compete in at district competitions and meets.

At the time trials, “all team members participate in their respective events for the purpose of getting their time (track events) and distance (field events) scores to enable each member to be seeded with others of similar ability for the competitive meets,” Peters says.

TheLHS unified track team has one of the largest in the state, almost 60 runners. “While we hope to repeat as County Champions this year, I believe we will define success for our team with the leadership from our seniors, the intense support from our underclass partners and the enthusiasm and competitive spirit from our athletes,” says Peters.

“I’ve enjoyed nurturing the relationships of all team members and experiencing the special gifts that both athletes and partners have to offer,” he added.

Unified sports don’t focus on winning. The team concentrates on social skills and meeting new friends, making students with special needs feel more comfortable.

“It’s more of them competing with themselves rather than the other players,” Novotny says.

“The students are all high energy and enthusiastic. No matter what day you’re having, you always end it on a good note,” says Novotny.

Novotny ran track in high school, was a US Army officer, and has worked 23 years for FCPS. She decided to be a part of the Unified Track team to get to know the students better.

Seniors Payton Girod and Sam Weir start the practice off with a stretching routine yelling out words of encouragement to all the players.

Austin Flickinger says he joined the track team because his middle school teacher saw how fast he could run and recommended he join the team. Running is his favorite thing to do.