Special Tracks marks 20th anniversary of competition at Medina for students with disabilities

Provided photo: Volunteers join students with disabilities as they parade in the Special Tracks event Thursday at Wise Intermediate School.

MEDINA – The 2026 Special Tracks event took place at Wise Intermediate School on Thursday afternoon, with 49 kids signing up to participate.

Special Tracks for children with disabilities has taken place in Medina since 2006, with the exception of 2020 because of Covid restrictions.

Mary Lou Tuohey, whose daughter Nicole was born with Triple X Syndrone, first learned about Special Tracks when Nicole attended Summit Educational School in Amherst.

“They did Special Tracks there, but there was nothing like that here then for special education kids. I talked to the school here, but they said they couldn’t afford it,” Tuohey said. “Then the PTSA stepped in and did fund-raising for the event.”

Now Debbie Tompkins, secretary at the High School, funds it, Tuohey said.

Travis Phillips and Alex DiLaura now coordinate the event, and Tuohey supports it in the background, she said.

Tuohey said participation in Special Tracks has steadily increased. Students get to choose three events in which to take part. Choices are 40-, 60- and 100-meter runs, softball throw, distance kick, standing and running long jump and relay race. Favorite events are the 40-meter run, distance kick and softball throw, Tuohey said.

Each student gets a ribbon for each event in which they participate, a medal and certificate with their name, event and date on it. Participants also get a cookie from Hans’s Bakery and free pizza.

Buddy volunteers are sought for each child.

“It’s a lot of fun to see the kids’ faces when they compete,” Tuohey said. “Even if they don’t win, they get a ribbon and a T-shirt which reads, ‘Special Tracks’”. They get so excited.”

Originally, Special Tracks was managed by Pam Maryjanowski, retired gym teacher at Medina Central School. Maryjanowski has always had an interest in children and adults with special needs. Early in her career, she was instrumental in getting sleds built by inmates at the prison for sled hockey participants. She also ran the Special Olympics for a number of years. She just returned from Nassau County where she attended their physical challenge games. She directed the special games at Brockport for 14 years. As a graduate student, it was her job to organize the games at Brockport, she said.

Maryjanowski retired from the Medina School System six years ago, but continues to support games for the physically challenged.

“I’m happy to see Special Tracks still going,” she said. “I am thrilled there are still people willing to organize and recruit volunteers for this program.”