School Resource Officer Dick Peach, who coordinates the Law Enforcement Special Olympics Torch Run, and SRO Dustin Cox lead the torch run to kick off the Area 16 Special Olympics competition Thursday at MTSU. Photo submitted.

Athletes ranging in age from 8 and older, and representing all of the Rutherford County, Murfreesboro City Schools and the local adult centers competed in front of a huge crowd in several events hoping to earn a spot in the state meet.

The age groups were divided up into four different groups 8-11, 12-15, 16-21 and 22 and up and competing in many events including the softball throw, 50- and 100-meter dash, and standing and running long jump. There were also wheelchair races and walking events.

All of the athletes were excited about competing in front of a large crowd that filled up the stands during the opening ceremonies.

“It’s a remarkable thing,” Area 16 Co-Director John Harris said. “This is their competition.”

One of the biggest supporters is the Rockvale community, who treats their team has the only squad in the town since a few years ago the school went from K-8 to K-5.

“It’s a community,” said Rockvale Elementary Special Needs teacher Darlene Boone, who has been a part of it for 15 years. “It’s always been a community project. Our student body and community give us a lot of support.”

The other students at the school raise money each year by bringing loose change during a program, “Give a little change, and change a little life.” This year the school raised about $5,500, which included a two-day span of more than $2,500.

Boone said the raised cash is used to fund the trophies, uniforms, the pizza and transporting the other students to the event.

“My kids feel like if they finish the race, they feel like winners,” Boone said.

More than 600 Rockvale students got a day off from school to cheer on their 13 classmates that competed in the Special Olympics.

“It means everything to the team,” Boone said. “Our kids cheer for everybody. It makes me proud to hear the students cheer for everybody.”

One of the school’s future goals is to raise enough money for each athlete to receive an iPad.

The local Special Olympics organization also had to raise money for the event since they do not charge the athletes for participating in the sport. They receive support from corporate sponsors and they had a “Wings and Rings” fundraiser at the local Toots restaurant, last week.

Harris hopes in the future to add more sports including basketball. Right now, the local group has a track and field and bowling events.

The event itself has seen a lot of growth since the first one 21 years ago. Back then; Rutherford County was combined with other counties for the annual event. However, as time went on, the area experienced a lot of growth, so each of the counties decided to hold their own event, Harris said.

Boone added in the beginning nobody came to watch the event, but she decided to change that by asking the principle at the school, Donald Johnson if they could take to the other students. 15 years later, both of them are still at the school and it was a definite yes.

Several volunteers from around the area took part in the contest. Some of those were the MTSU student-athletes from all of the sports. They helped run each of the events and did other things for the athletes, including signing autographs, taking pictures and tossing the football.

Harris said about 12 of Thursday’s participates will qualify for the state.