SONC Unified Sports Track Resources

Special Olympics North Carolina Unified track and field started in 2015 in Wake County with two schools, Garner and Wakefield High. With the support of the Wake County District Athletic Director, Deran Coe, Wake County Athletics was the first county in North Carolina to endorse Special Olympics North Carolina Unified Track and Field. Since then, Special Olympics North Carolina Unified Track and Field has expanded to nearly 30 schools with over 200 students with and without intellectual disabilities practicing and competing together.

The North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) has long been a supporter of Special Olympics North Carolina Unified track and field. Special Olympics Unified track and field athletes first competed at the NCHSAA State Championships in 2015 in the 4x100m team relay. In 2018, the NCHSAA expanded their partnership with SONC by offering the 4x100m relay and 100m dash at the State Championships meet. Further expanding the relationship. In 2022, Special Olympics and the NCHSAA created a new position to oversee and manage the Unified track and field program.

SONC looks to continue to grow Unified track and field across the state of North Carolina. For more information on how to get started, contact sports@sonc.net.

Eligibility/Physical Forms

ALL students will now need to complete the NCHSAA physical in order to be eligible for participation. We will no longer accept Special Olympics North Carolina athlete physical forms for students with intellectual disabilities under the age of 19*. NCHSAA physicals must be completed and submitted to the school Athletic Director prior to the first practice.

*For students with an intellectual disability who turn 19 on or before August 31, 2019 a Special Olympics North Carolina physical will be required. Coaches must submit these physicals to SONC at registration@sonc.net.

For more information regarding eligibility and for links to the physical forms visit the eligibility accordion below.

MileSplit Registration

Registration for county/conference meets will be completed through MileSplit. MileSplit is the registration and scoring management system used by varsity track teams across the state. To align the program with the existing track teams, participating schools must use MileSplit to house their rosters and register for meets.

Each school has had a Unified track team page set-up by MileSplit. The list of schools and their assigned MileSplit accounts is below. Follow the directions below to activate your account and start using MileSplit.

1. Click on the link for your school in the spreadsheet below
2. When your team page comes up, click on “claim team”
   1. It will prompt you to either login or register an account. If you have an existing account, login. If you do not have an account, register for a new account. Accounts are free.
3. Once you claim the team, an email will be sent to MileSplit. They will verify your claim and you will have access to your team account.
4. Change your password and update your profile
5. Start entering your roster

Unified Track MileSplit Accounts

For questions regarding MileSplit, contact Nathan Brookins.

Team scoring

Due to the growth of the program and increase in size for many teams, only teams with a minimum roster of 10 will be scored at conference/county championship meets. Teams with fewer than 10 participants will still be able to compete and receive individual place finishes but will not accrue team points.

The team scoring formula found in the official SONC rules will be used for county/conference meets.

Sport Development Team

Starting in the fall of 2019, SONC developed a Unified track and field sport development team and advisory board responsible for the growth and management of the program. This team will be an additional resource for coaches and athletic directors before and during the season. Information on the team is located in the accordion below.

Participating Schools

A new participating schools list will be located on the right side of the webpage when available. Coaches and athletic directors may refer to this list to collaborate with other schools and to assist in scheduling meets for the regular season.

For any questions regarding these updates, please email sports@sonc.net.

The SONC Unified track and field rules listed below are intended to be used in conjunction with NFHS and NCHSAA track and field rules. Therefore, those rules are not repeated here but they will be enforced unless in direct conflict to SONC modifications.

Unified Track and Field Sports Rules

SONC offers competition in 6 different track events, ranging in distances from 100 meters to 800 meters, as well as 2 field events. This range of events allows athletes of all ability levels the opportunity to train and compete successfully to the best of their abilities.

Unified track and field Events
click link to see diagram of event layout
100m/200m/400m/800m Dash
4 x 100 Relay
4 x 400 Relay
Running Long Jump
Shot Put (8lb/3.6kg)

NCHSAA State Championship events
100m Dash
4 x100m Relay

Game On: Learn about the divisioning process that differentiates Special Olympics from other sport organizations.

ALL students will need to complete the NCHSAA physical in order to be eligible for participation. We will no longer accept Special Olympics North Carolina athlete physical forms for students with intellectual disabilities under the age of 19*. NCHSAA physicals must be completed and submitted to the school Athletic Director prior to the first practice.

*For students with an intellectual disability who turn 19 on or before August 31, 2019 a Special Olympics North Carolina physical will be required.

Identifying Persons with Intellectual Disabilities

A person is considered to have intellectual disabilities for purposes of determining his or her eligibility to participate in Unified Sports® if that person satisfies any one of the following requirements:

1) The person has been identified by an agency or professional as having intellectual disabilities as determined by their localities; or

2) The person has a cognitive delay, as determined by standardized measures such as intelligent quotient or “IQ” testing or other measures which are generally accepted within the professional community in that Accredited Program’s nation as being a reliable measurement of the existence of a cognitive delay; or

3) The person has a closely related developmental disability. A “closely related developmental disability” means having functional limitations in both general learning (such as IQ) and in adaptive skills (such as in recreation, work, independent living, self-direction, or self-care). Persons whose functional limitations are based solely on a physical, behavioral, or emotional disability, or a specific learning or sensory disability, are also eligible to participate as Unified athletes or partners.

To start off, Unified track and field teams must have a separate head coach responsible for leading the team. The head coach must be an adult who is not currently enrolled as a student at the school. Coaches may be a current teacher or other sports coach at the school or hired from outside the school. It is the school’s responsibility to abide by current school policy regarding outside coaches. Students are eligible to assist in coaching duties during the season.

Special Olympics North Carolina requires Unified track and field coaches to complete the following trainings.

In addition to the coach education requirements, coaches are expected to:

• Manage track practice for the Unified track and field team throughout the regular track season.
• Regularly communicate with SONC regarding participation and competition schedule.
• Hold team practices at least 2 times per week.
• Submit required athlete and Unified partner paperwork before the first practice.
• Submit meet registration and rosters by the proposed deadline.
• Serve as liaison with the school at which you are coaching for further development of the program.
• Accompany the Unified track team to the countywide meet. (If athletes qualify)
• Accompany the Unified track team to the statewide meet. (If athletes qualify)
• Compete in at least 2 dual meet between other schools participating in Unified Track and Field.
• Participate in a post-season evaluation to provide feedback for future planning.
• Be available to share your experience with other coaches and schools.

Coaches must complete a memo of understanding (MOU) each year applicable for that track season.

IRS W-9 Tax Form: Required for coaches receiving a stipend paid by Special Olympics North Carolina.”

• NFHS Track & Field Resources
• NCHSAA Track & Field Resources
• Special Olympics Quick Start Guide – printable version
• Special Olympics Quick Start Guide – digital version
• Other SOI Coaching Resources
• Team Recruitment Strategies

This step by step guide will assist in starting a Special Olympics Unified track and field team at your school. Follow these steps to start the program at your school. Remember to reference the Unified track and field resource page for more information.

Step 1: Express interest with SONC and meet with the school Athletic Director 
Date: December 1

•  Express interest of starting a Unified track and field team to Special Olympics North Carolina.  If interested, contact sports@sonc.net.  Once SONC has been contacted, meet with the school Athletic Director.
• Introduce Special Olympics Unified track and field to Athletic Director.
  • Special Olympics Unified track and field is an additional athletic team within the school.
• Obtain approval from Athletic Director before moving to step 2.

Step 2: Declare a team/Identify the head coach
Date: December 15

• All schools must declare their intention to have a Unified track and field team for the upcoming season with their county Athletic Director by this date.
• Once the Athletic Director has approved the team, it is time to start looking for the leader of the Unified track and field team.
• The head coach must be an adult who is not enrolled as a student at the school. Coaches do not have to be from the Special Education department. Schools may allow a coach from outside the school to lead the team but must receive approval from school administration.

Step 3: Complete Coach Requirements
Date: January 31

• Head coaches must complete the coach requirements set forth by Special Olympics North Carolina.

Step 4: Start recruiting the team
Date: December/January

• Use social media platforms (Twitter, Facebook) to inform the student population of the team.
• Utilize school announcements, newsletters, email communications to reach student population and parents.
• The coach should meet with the Special Education department to provide team information to students and parents.
• Unified Track and Field teams must have a proportionate number of students with and without an intellectual disability.

Step 5: Create a team practice schedule 
Date: January

• Work with the Athletic Director and/or varsity track coach to establish a Unified track and field practice schedule.
• Teams must practice after school at least 3 times per week.
• Unified track and field team should practice alongside the varsity track team, sharing the track and field areas.

Step 6: Create a team competition schedule
Date: January

• Work with Athletic Director and varsity track coaches to establish a schedule
• Teams must compete in at least two dual meets per season
• Unified track teams should compete at already scheduled school meets against schools with Unified teams.
• Contact the competing school’s Unified track and field coach/Athletic Director to confirm meet.

Step 7: Hold an interest meeting for students and parents
Date: January 20

• Invite interested and potential participants and their parents to learn more about the program.
• Have practice and competition schedule complete prior to this meeting.

*Send your interest meeting dates to sports@sonc.net.

Step 8: Submit required student-athlete paperwork to your school Athletic Director.
Date: February

• Unified partners (students without an intellectual disability) AND Special Olympics athletes (students with an intellectual disability) must have the required NCHSAA student athlete paperwork completed to receive eligibility.
• For questions on what paperwork is required for student-athletes, refer to your school’s Athletic Director.
• The Athletic Director or Unified track head coach should submit a team roster to sports@sonc.net. Team rosters must designate between Special Olympics athletes and Unified partners.

Step 9: Start practice
Date: February

• Set team expectations at beginning of the season with all students.

Step 10: Time to compete
Date: March/April/May

• The expectation should be that all team members attend scheduled meets.
• Make sure team has proper school uniforms and equipment ready for each meet.
• Teams must adhere to rules set forth by NFHS, NCHSAA and Special Olympics North Carolina.
• Compete in dual meets in March.  Teams must compete in at least two meets per season.
• Compete in county/conference meets in April.
• The NCHSAA State Championships are held in May.  Athletes and Unified partners must qualify to compete.

SONC Program Planning Timeline

Registration for county/conference meets will be completed through MileSplit. MileSplit is the registration and scoring management system used by varsity track teams across the state. To align the program with the existing track teams participating schools must use MileSplit to house their rosters and register for meets.

Each school has had a Unified track team page set up by MileSplit. The list of schools and their assigned MileSplit accounts is below. Follow the directions below to activate your account and start using MileSplit.

1. Click on the link for your school in the spreadsheet below
2. When your team page comes up, click on “claim team”
   1. It will prompt you to either login or register an account. If you have an existing account, login. If you do not have an account, register for a new account. Accounts are free.
3. Once you claim the team, an email will be sent to MileSplit. They will verify your claim and you will have access to your team account
4. Change your password and update your profile
5. Start entering your roster

Click here for a link to your Unified track & field MileSplit account

For questions regarding MileSplit, contact Nathan Brookins at nbrookins@sonc.net.

Criteria For Advancement

Unified track and field athletes and Unified partners may qualify for participation in the NCHSAA State Championships track meet scheduled for May 19-20, 2023. Athletes and Unified partners must compete in their county or conference meet to become eligible. Official results from county and conference meets in the following events will be used to determine qualification.

100m dash times
4x100m relay team times

The top eight athletes from both county and conference meet results will qualify by May 10, 2023. Participants who qualify will be notified by SONC, at the conclusion of all statewide county and conference meets. If an athlete is unable to compete, the athlete, Unified partner, or relay team with the next fastest time will qualify.

NCHSAA Physical – to be completed by all participating student-athletes. This form must be completed and submitted to the school’s athletic director by the start of the first practice.

Any student with an intellectual disability that is over the age of 19 as of August 31, 2019 must complete the Special Olympics North Carolina Athlete Participation Packet. Click here for a version in Spanish.

W-9 IRS Tax Form – to be submitted for each coach each track and field season.