Unity, empowerment, and acceptance are the core principles for Hatboro-Horsham’s Unified Track team. As a PIAA varsity sport, Unified Track works toward integrating athletes with disabilities into our school’s athletic program. This track team is composed of an even 50/50 split of students with disabilities and neurotypical students. In bringing these two groups together, they have formed one strong and unified team. Earlier this year, there were some doubts about whether or not the team would take off; however, it has quickly become an undeniable staple of sports here at HH.
The coach of the team Mrs. Abercrombie described how, “Unified Track gives every student in this school an opportunity to compete in a varsity sport. [It is a] safe place for everybody, all abilities and a great place for students to meet new friends.”
Seeing the dedication and hard work put into this program is truly inspiring and heartwarming. Mrs. Abercrombie shared that her most beloved moment was just “seeing big smiles as the student-athletes crossed the finish line and they are just so happy and proud of themselves.”
Mrs. Abercrombie has poured countless hours and unwavering passion into building Unified Track into what it is today. She considers it “an absolute honor [to be] apart of.”
However, it is not just track that is being worked into a unified program. As she looks towards the future, Mrs. Abercrombie shares, “Our goal is to continue to grow [Unified Track]. I also would love to, in the future, introduce other unified sports into our program. I have my eye on Unified Bocce–which would be a goal for us. It will be absolutely amazing to watch this program grow and the smiles on our student athlete’s faces grow, too.”
Student athlete Abby Donohue shared her excitement for Unified Track. She specifically meanted how the team got her ready for this year’s Special Olympics event. She said, “I am excited to do running and jumping and throwing the ball and javelin.” Special Olympics pulls students with disabilities together from schools in the area to compete and enjoy a day filled with competition, sportsmanship, and an all-around heartfelt and fun atmosphere.
As students participated in the modified Special Olympics celebration due to a weather cancellation, there was no doubt that the hard work and dedication put in by the Unified Track athletes paid off. But beyond that, it is evident that Unified Sports are building a lasting culture in our school–a culture of inclusion, friendship, and love that will continue to blossom as time develops.
