AUBURN – Amy Young, 27, of Lewiston is an old pro when it comes to the Special Olympics.

Competing since she was 8 years old, Young went to Alaska in 2001 for the World Winter Games where she took home a silver medal and two bronzes in the snowshoe events.

This Sunday, she will be heading to Sugarloaf to compete on the Lutheran Services team in the Special Olympics Maine Winter Games.

“It’s payday for me,” smiled Young after practicing snowshoeing at Mount Apatite in Auburn on Wednesday. “I love to win stuff. I’ve won golds, silvers, bronzes, fourth, fifth, sixth places – pretty soon I’m going to have it all.”

And she is not alone in her love for the games.

For many of the athletes, the Special Olympics is all about seeing friends, having fun and feeling a sense of pride in themselves.

“I’m in good spirits when I cheer people on and I try to be a good leader,” said Life Center team member Betsy Bricker, 28, of Lewiston, who was also practicing showshoeing at Mount Apatite. “It makes me really feel proud, excited and very powerful. It makes me feel like a young adult.”

Out of the 16 active teams in Androscoggin County, only 12 teams will be going to Sugarloaf this year, and some may not be able to take all of their team members. There are 400 beds available for the athletes and coaches, with 125 of those going to Androscoggin County. Thirteen other counties will take up the remaining beds.

Athletes chosen to participate have to demonstrate a commitment to the competition by training for at least eight weeks prior to the games, including 10 minimum practices.

Luckily for the Life Center, a program through John F. Murphy Homes, they get to take their entire 11-member team.

“The athletes decided last year to sit out of the competition because we were unable to take the entire team,” said Cheryl Tart, a direct support professional at the Life Center and a Special Olympics coach. “By doing that last year, we can take the whole team this year.”

Ray Masse, 25, of Lewiston is another Life Center member who will be heading north to participate in the snowshoeing events.

“I go skiing sometimes, but I fall down a lot,” said Masse with a laugh. “It’s more practicing getting up,” the 10-year veteran of competition added. “I like showshoeing better. When I fall down, I just get up and go again.”

It is not just that perseverance that keeps the athletes coming back year after year. Many participants are more excited for the dance Monday night where they will get to socialize with other athletes they met the past year at the Summer games.

“I look forward to it all year round,” said Bricker, who has been going to Special Olympic events for more than 15 years. “I go because it’s fun.”

Giggling, Young added with a smile, “Special Olympics – it’s my thing.”