Under a bright sun, Sean Carter took his position on the start line at Mount Si High School’s track. An official waved the ‘go’ flag, and the 15-year-old sprinted down his lane, cruising to victory.

Then, he doubled back down the sidelines to cheer on his friend, Kyra Bingle, to the finish line at the Special Olympics track and field meet Saturday, April 4.

“I wanted her to finish it off strong, and know that she has a friend that will cheer her on,” Carter said. “She’s pushed me through a lot of hard runs, and cheered me on.”

Instead of hardened competition, the track meet on the warm spring day was more about togetherness than separation. Some 40 athletes from Issaquah and Maple Valley were cheered on by more than 100 Mount Si High School students, organized by the Mount Si Associated Student Body.

Each athlete had one or two Mount Si students by their side during the events.

That’s something you won’t find at any other Special Olympics event in the area, parent Joanna Fetter said.

Her son was thrilled to have two older teens cheering him on during the day.

It’s not always easy for special-needs youth to compete or make friends. Special Olympics changes that.

“I can’t believe there’s so many volunteers,” said parent Laura Bingle. “It’s really good for the normally developing children.”

The event, she said, gives them understanding and compassion for people who may look different from them but are ultimately childen just like them.

“It’s fun to hang out with kids with special needs, interact with them and get to know them,” said Ben Olson, Mount Si student body president.

Special Olympics is a place for special-needs youth to excel and form friendships.

“The spirit of Special Olympics is participation. It’s not so much about the winning,” Bingle said.

Bingle’s daughter, Kyra, is not very competitive, so the Olympics give her that sense of achievement.

“For me, as a mom, just to see her succeed in something is awesome,” she said. “She’s changed so much.”

Maple Valley coach Mark Sutton said there’s nothing like the Special Olympics in general athletics.

“There’s no egos involved in this,” he said. “Everybody tries their hardest, and it doesn’t matter whether they come in first or last. They’re giving 100 percent every time.”

“I think it’s very kind for people to donate their time to watch us,” Carter said. “This gives a chance for special needs kids to have their own competition, to run and enjoy the fun.”