The Wareham High School Unified Track team closed out its 2024 athletic season by winning the Division 2 state championship. 

Unified Track, part of the Special Olympics Unified Sports, offers students with and without intellectual disabilities the opportunity to compete athletically. 

Wareham’s Unified Track team took the title in a close-fought meet which saw it best the competition by a mere two points. 

The team “had no idea” immediately that they had won, said Head Coach Megan Kashner. 

“The kids came back from their events [and] many of them had medals, so they had placed, but that’s never the point. I think it’s them just trying their best and doing their best,” Kashner said. 

The team celebrated their win with a trophy presentation on Monday, June 3. 

“I am very proud of all you guys, because without this, none of this would happen,” said team co-captain Alton McCane the Fourth. 

“I’ve been doing this for five seasons, and look what we brought home — our first state championship,” said McCane. 

Principal Scott Palladino said “we’re very proud of everything you guys have done. I’ve seen you guys working very hard in the heat.”

Kashner said the team practices twice a week, doing agilities, sprints, active relays and more. 

“We were a little bit more competitive with our preparation this year,” said Kashner, “not with the intent of winning the championship, that’s not the point, but I want them to make progress and feel good about themselves.”