Washington University track and field athletes have partnered with local autistic children in a new program that aims to teach the children enhanced social and motor skills through running.

The Bear Cubs Running Team was founded at the beginning of the school year by junior Annie Marggraff and senior Maisie Mahoney as a way to allow autistic children to interact with peers, get exercise, give caretakers a short break and help the track team bond through service.

In the past, track and field has hosted an annual Special Olympics event for autistic youth in the St. Louis area, but Marggraff wanted to organize an initiative that would create a more continuous impact. The Bear Cubs team meets every Sunday at Francis Field.

During the Bear Cubs Running Team practices, participants alternate running laps with drills, water breaks and interactive games such as Walk Walk Sprint, the group’s version of Duck Duck Goose.

This variety is designed to keep the children interested and engaged, and volunteers and parents both report resulting social and physical advances.

Danielle Cooney’s son is a participant in the Bear Cubs Running Team, and she believes that participating in the organization has largely furthered his communication skills and frequency of willing interactions.

“Originally he didn’t want to do anything, [but] over time he’s able to sit in a circle. So he’s actually participating; he actually ran around the cones today with the group without me helping,” Cooney said.

Marggraff said the team has also helped build stronger ties between the track and field athletes.

“Our team has always been close, but I think…it brings everyone together outside of just competing and training. We hang out outside of practice too, but this is just a different setting, because you’re just doing something for someone else,” Marggraff said.

Each participant is paired with a member of the WU track and field team and remains in this same pairing each week, allowing them to develop personal relationships.

Sophomore Mattie Gottbrath joined the Bear Cubs Running Team as a way to interact with children and contribute to her community. She, too, has seen her paired child athlete interact and participate more each week of the program.

“The first week he didn’t really talk at all, but I can tell that he’s interacting more with me…He’s interacting with me in his own way even if I can’t necessarily talk to him,” Gottbrath said.

“Seeing the smiles on their faces when they’re running around is the best part of my week,” Marggraff said.