WIAA adds ambulatory division to track and field championships

For the Reporter

The WIAA has added the ambulatory division to this spring’s WIAA State Track and Field Championships, the organization’s executive board approved during its Jan. 24-25 meeting.

The new division will include the 100-, 200- and 400-meter races and will compete with the wheelchair division in three throwing events.

Points awarded to the para-athletes will be added to the able-bodied and wheelchair athletes’ scores to determine a combined team state track and field champion in each classification.

“The WIAA has a rich tradition of providing opportunities for students to participate in education-based activities,” WIAA Executive Director Mike Colbrese said. “The addition of the ambulatory division in track and field will continue that long history.”

The para-athlete qualifications, which follow the Paralympic standards, identify impairments that would qualify a student-athlete. School administrators seeking help in creating opportunities for para-athletes can contact Seattle Adaptive Sports and Para Sports Spokane. They help with identifying student-athletes and also provide guidance and instruction for the participants.

There are multiple opportunities for student-athletes with physical disabilities to compete collegiately, internationally or at the Paralympics. Eight colleges offer wheelchair basketball sports scholarships, and four colleges offer track and field scholarships.

The WIAA also offers wheelchair races in cross country, adaptive swimming and has a partnership with Special Olympics offering school activities in unified sports. Schools may request rule modifications in order to accommodate students with special needs including mental, physical or sight and hearing impairments in order to participate in education-based athletics.