On Saturday morning, Special Olympic athletes from throughout the area headed into Rochester, specifically John Marshall High School, for the Area 10 Track Meet. You couldn't ask for a better day to be outside. It wasn't too hot, there was a slight breeze, and the smell of competition in the air made for an exciting morning.

The Area Games are the first stop on the way to the State Games, held in June, at the University of St. Thomas. The athletes, coaches, and Unified Partners get to see how well their practice has paid off, and what more needs to be worked on. It's also a chance to get caught up with those friends you have made from other teams that you may not see often.

The Area games could not have happened without all of the wonderful volunteers, the coaches, the Special Olympics Staff, and the celebrity announcers, Y105's James Rabe and Jessica Williams.

We had a blast cheering on the athletes and dancing to the great tunes that were being played on the PA system. As you can see in these pictures, smiles everywhere.

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