April 10, 2017
By KEITH RYAN CARTWRIGHT
Rutherford County Schools
After running to the Dean Hayes Track and Field from nearby Central Magnet School, the School Resource Officers of Rutherford County opened this year’s Area 16 Special Olympics by running the first lap around the track and passing off their batons to five special athletes.
“These SRO’s are in the lives of the Special Olympians every day,” said emcee Chip Walters, who noted the SRO’s have raised $5,000 at two special events held at Toot’s Restaurant.
They will be hosting a third event at the Broad Street location from 5-8 p.m. on April 18.
It was the 29th annual Special Olympics track and field event in Rutherford County, which hosts the largest such games in the state of Tennessee.
There were 513 athletes competing this year.
They represented 33 of 46 Rutherford County Schools as well as five Murfreesboro City Schools, one independent group and one adult developmental center.
Prior the official start of the games, Director of Schools Don Odom addressed the crowd.
“Thank you for coming today and supporting our athletes,” Odom said. “Special thanks to the teachers, the parents and all the of the (educational assistants) and everybody else that helps with this.”
The games took place on the campus of Middle Tennessee State University and many of the Blue Raiders athletes assisted with the events, including Brent Stockstill.
“This is one of our favorite days of the year,” said the Blue Raiders starting quarterback, who was greeted with a standing ovation and took time to meet and chat with the athletes and their classmates. “I know a lot of you are looking up to us, but, really, we’re the ones looking up to you guys.
“You help put a smile on our face and motivate us to do better.”
PHOTOS / KEITH RYAN CARTWRIGHT