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They came to run, jump and throw, and were celebrated for every single second of it.
Hundreds of Special Olympics athletes filled Tommy Standridge Stadium on Friday, March 27, for the Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District’s (CFBISD) All Stars’ annual Track and Field Day, a regional event that is the culmination of yearlong training.
Athletes from Coppell, Highland Park, Irving and West joined CFBISD’s All Stars team for a full day of competition. CFBISD has held the event each spring since 1999, drawing neighboring districts into one of the most celebrated days on the North Texas Special Olympics calendar.
Athletes work toward this championship all year, practicing and working on their running and throwing forms, said Coach Brett Mathis, athletic director for Barbara Bush Middle School. “They look forward to this so much. They wear their shirts throughout the school year.”
Following the parade of athletes, R.L. Turner High School senior Terrance Hereford sang the national anthem.
Student athletes led the Pledge of Allegiance, Texas Pledge and the Special Olympics athlete oath. A torch run was held in memory of Ryan Mehnert, a former CFBISD All Stars athlete.
Miss Texas Sadie Schiermeyer and Miss Heart of Texas Caroline Cave of Farmers Branch addressed the crowd, offering words of encouragement to athletes and volunteers. Schiermeyer, a Frisco native crowned Miss Texas 2025, has made health and wellness the centerpiece of her platform, speaking openly about her own recovery from an eating disorder.
“Being able to be here and able to compete is so amazing,” Cave said.
Deputy Superintendent Brian Moersch reminded athletes to celebrate their accomplishments in his address. “Today is your day. This is your moment,” he said.
What began as a team of 16 students in 1999 has grown to more than 230 CFBISD athletes, making the district's program a model for others across the state.
Separately, Kacie's Run, a 5K and 1-mile family fun run that benefits the All Stars program, was postponed from its original March date to April 25 due to thunderstorms. All registrations will automatically transfer to the new race date. No further action is needed from registered participants.
For those not already registered, registration remains open.
The event honors Kacie Brekhus, an R.L. Turner High School alumna who served as student coordinator for the Special Olympics Torch Run before her death in a traffic accident in 2003.
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