2024 Special Olympics Track and Field held at CCHS 

TOP PHOTO: Campbell County High School students cheered Special Olympians on at Monday’s Track and Field event.

Neyland Osborn shows off his muscles after Monday’s Special Olympics Track and Field event held a the CCHS Football field.

By Charlotte Underwood 

JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF) – The 2024 Special Olympics Track and Field event of Campbell, Morgan, and Scott Counties was held on Monday morning at the Campbell Cougar Football Field. 

The 2024 Special Olympics Track and Field Event for District 14 was held Monday morning at the L. Hope Dossett Stadium at CCHS. The event started with a parade walk of Special Olympians around the track holding banners to recognize their schools. The event was held for Campbell, Morgan and Scott Counties.

It was the second annual Area 14 Special Olympics Track and Field event held at Campbell County High School and had nearly 100 athletes participating, which was double the number from last year.

Fans cheered the athletes on from the sidelines with home-made posters and banners while the CCHS Cougar Band played for the event.

William Hicks throws his arms up after winning a silver medal on Monday morning at the Special Olympic Track and Field Event held at CCHS. State Senator Ken Yager places a first-place gold medal on Joshua Mays. Kendra Smith earned a bronze medal at Monday’s event.

Brian Hendricks, pictured left on the podium, earned a silver medal on Monday at the 2024 Special Olympics Track and Field event. Brian represented the oldest Special Olympian competing on Monday at 47 years old. Also pictured at right, is gold medal winner Ethan Hicks.

LaFollette Middle School’s Jaden Wright throws some high fives after competing at Monday’s Special Olympics Track and Field event.

The LaFollette Middle School Special Olympic Team competed on Monday at the Second Annual Special Olympics Track and Field event.

LaFollette Middle School’s Jaden Wright throws some high fives after competing at Monday’s Special Olympics Track and Field event.

Law enforcement officials with the Tennessee Highway Patrol were on site to hand out medals, as was State Senator Ken Yager.

Special Olympics Area Director Brandon Johnson said the event went amazingly well and had grown exponentially over the past year.

Johnson also said he was “overwhelmed and humbled” by the outpouring of community support.

The LaFollette Middle School Special Olympic Team competed on Monday at the Second Annual Special Olympics Track and Field event.

“It’s overwhelming to see this field full of so many athletes and smiling faces. We went from not having a program at all in the county, to having our first event this time last year with 50 athletes and now, we doubled that and have nearly 100 athletes this year, and it’s amazing. The county bought in, the school system bought in, the athletes have bought in, and the community has supported it. These types of events are what make us a better community,” Johnson said.

Campbell County High School Principal Ben Foust said he was proud for the event to be held at the CCHS Football Field and Track.

William Hicks throws his arms up after winning a silver medal on Monday morning at the Special Olympic Track and Field Event held at CCHS. State Senator Ken Yager places a first-place gold medal on Joshua Mays. Kendra Smith earned a bronze medal at Monday’s event.

“We’re so proud to host this for our students and the students from the surrounding counties, and we’re thankful for Brandon Johnson who was willing to take time and put something like this together for our kids and we’re thankful for all the volunteers that helped and for the community’s support,” Foust said.

According to organizers, the plan is for the Special Olympics programs and events to continue to grow in Campbell County.

“This is good for our community,” Johnson said. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 05/14/2024-6AM)