Nearly 300 athletes from the Upstate participated in Special Olympics on campus on March 23. PC has hosted the event since 1974.

“Special Olympics is the world’s largest sports organization for people with intellectual disabilities, and our local event is a fantastic way to nurture and support people with disabilities in the Laurens County area,” said Rachel Parsons- Wells, PC’s Director of Religious Life and Service.

This year’s participants hailed from 15 schools or groups across Laurens, Greenwood, and Newberry counties. They competed in track and field events at Bailey Stadium.

“Special Olympics is always a great event,” said PC senior Bardin Davis. “It means a lot to all of the athletes and students involved.”

This year marks the third year that Davis has volunteered with Special Olympics. He began helping with the event when he was a sophomore.

“I really wanted to make a difference in the PC community,” he said.

Nearly 200 PC students, in addition to students from other colleges and universities, volunteered at the event. They kept time during the track and field events, and helped and cheered on athletes.

“This year, just cheering on the athletes at the finish line of the track was my favorite,” said PC junior Megan Archer, who’s been volunteering at the event for the past three years. “Seeing the smiles on all of their faces just put the biggest one on mine.”

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