MOUNT ULLA — Ashton McJunkin took a run and leapt high into the air as sand fluttered back to earth and his feet hit the pit.

Ashton was one of more than 350 Special Olympics athletes who competed in sports that included long jump, softball throw and running Thursday on the track field at West Rowan High School. He has participated in Special Olympics for about eight years.

Cheering him on were his mother, Jeanee McJunkin, his father, and his one-on-one caregiver. Ashton is a North Rowan graduate and is part of Skills, Opportunity, Awareness, Readiness (S.O.A.R.), a community college program designed for adults with intellectual disabilities.

Ashton was diagnosed with autism and mild to moderate retardation, his mother said, but he’s been an honor roll student since kindergarten.

“He accepts challenges and has no fear,” McJunkin said.

She said the thing that she admires about her son is his tenacity and the fact that he won’t stop until he’s learned a skill.

“I love his positivity,” she said.

She said the volunteers with Special Olympics are so supportive of the athletes.

“It’s a good event,” she said.

Athletes from across Rowan County are paired with a high school or college student volunteer or community volunteer who assists them throughout the competition, said Special Olympics coordinator and director of sports Jesse Byrd.

He encouraged people to support the athletes and volunteer. Byrd said the Olympics couldn’t be held without community support and volunteers.

Included in Thursday’s activities were obstacle courses, shot put, the 50- and 100-meter runs, a petting zoo, ice cream and a lunch for the athletes.

North Rowan students Alexandra Burnham and Moya Wolfe both were buddies for athlete Veronica Herrick. The students joined as volunteers through their school’s Key Club.

This is the second year for Burnham and the first time volunteering for Wolfe.

“It’s a great experience for everybody to get involved, and it’s so much fun for us to meet amazing kids like Veronica,” Wolfe said.

Hannah Rowland has been a Special Olympics athlete since she was 6, said her mother, Denise Rowland.

Hannah participates in the softball throw and running.

Rowland said what she likes about the day is the welcoming environment.

“The whole community goes all out,” she said.

She said it takes a lot of great support to make the event happen, and it couldn’t be done without all the volunteers.

Hannah enjoys walking her dog and Zumba. She hopes to soon become a certified Zumba instructor through Grace Lutheran Church, where she attends. She has participated in Zumba classes at her church two to three times a week for the last four years.

She also volunteers at Partners in Learning a couple of times a week.

Salisbury Police Department Officer PJ Smith has volunteered with Special Olympics for 35 years. He began because his brother, Benji, is an athlete.

Smith volunteered as a stager for some of the running activities, making sure athletes are running in the right lanes. He recruited six fellow officers.

Henderson Independent High School Resource Officer Isaac Miller volunteered for the first time and brought a few students from Henderson with him.

“I love to help people. I love working with young people,” Miller said.

Henderson student Sean Hart said he enjoyed the time with his athlete, Landon Maranon.

Shalesa Jimenez cheered on her son, Kymani Tarver, along with her boyfriend Tamarcus Canady.

Kymani, who is 11, has been participating in Special Olympics for a number of years. He’s done the 50-meter walk and softball throw. Kymani, who has cerebral palsy, was diagnosed with autism and attention deficit disorder.

“It means everything to have people care,” Jimenez said, adding she is thankful to organizers and volunteers who spend the day with athletes like her son.

Contact reporter Shavonne Walker at 704-797-4253.