It wasn’t your typical track and field meet. There was one question asked over and over — and it had nothing to do with time, how they finished, who won the race or who was the best.

&uot;Can I have a hug?&uot; was a common phrase at the Area 7 Special Olympics Meet at Natchez High Saturday.

And no one in attendance watching these brave and determined athletes compete could refuse that request.

For the record, the Adams County Lifeskills team had about 90 percent of its competitors finish first in at least one event.

Those athletes will be advancing to the Mississippi Special Olympic Games May 12-13 at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi.

Of the 269 athletes who registered to compete, only about 20 scratched and did not show up.

But as many of the athletes and volunteers will tell, it’s not about winning, it’s about competing.

&uot;This is their moment in the sun,&uot;&160;said Fay Minor, the residential coordinator for Southwest Mississippi Mental Health Center. &uot;When they get up on that stand to receive their ribbon, it’s like they are waving to 60,000 people in the stands cheering them on. It doesn’t matter if that ribbon says 12th place, they still have one on.&uot;

Area 7 Director Matilda Stephens is in her 20th year of putting on a Special Olympics event and you would have a hard time finding a better director anywhere.

&uot;We had the most perfect conditions,&uot;&160;Stephens said. &uot;The meet went real smooth.&uot;

Of course when you have a group of volunteers like Stephens had it helps to make things smooth.

Volunteers from CYO groups, International Paper and Civitan helped out, as well as other individuals young and old.

Natchez High junior varsity track coach Wilbert Whitley worked the World Special Olympic Games in North Carolina last summer. But it’s the one he has been working in Natchez for more years than he can remember that means the most to him.

&uot;This one is much more enjoyable and fulfilling,&uot;&160;Whitley said. &uot;The World Games is more about professionals. The kids here have just as much heart and desire. I’ve been doing this a long time, and it still gets to me to see how hard they work.&160;This is their Olympic gold medal. This is their chance to come and do what they’ve been watching others do.&uot;

Logan Foley, who was part of a state championship baseball team at Cathedral, worked his first Special Olympics meet.

Foley is now the case manager for mentally retarded developmental disabilities at Lifeskills.

&uot;All of the athletes have been so eager to be here, it’s just great,&uot;&160;Foley said. &uot;This gives them a lot of self-esteem.&160;The last two or three weeks they have been working hard to get ready. This is something they can be proud of. This is what it’s all about and why I enjoy being here.&uot;

Minor has made time for the games while also trying to catch on with a WNBA team.

Minor, a former standout player at South Natchez and Alcorn State, was impressive enough at a camp in Marietta, Ga., to earn a tryout berth at Nancy Lieberman-Cline’s camp in Detroit at the end of this month.

Another impressive showing could have Minor fulfilling that lifelong dream of playing pro ball.

But even a jump shot in the WNBA can’t compare to the Special Olympic Games.

&uot;Their ribbons may say 20th place, but it doesn’t matter,&uot; Minor said. &uot;They don’t care if they win or lose, they are out here for the fun.&uot;

And a hug.

Joey Martin is sports editor of The Democrat. He can be reached by calling 446-5172 ext. 232 or at joey martin@natchez democrat.com.