Eight speed skaters competed at Bridgton Academy Ice Area. Wyatt Andersen was chosen for the 2012 outstanding skater award.

Thanks to Jeffery Dobson as the venue leader, he offered 100m, 300m and 800m races.

The cross-country skiing venue challenged 17 skiers as Ray Broomhall offered 100m, 500m and 1K races. James Littlefield won the Ray Broomhall Award for outstanding athlete in cross-country skiing. From Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School, Peter Hill and Ryan Schwartz competed in both the 100 and 500m races. The proudly took home gold, silver and bronze in those races.

Downhill skiers were lead by organizers Ken Ruff and Neil Williamson. More than 20 skiers competed in slalom, giant slalom, super G and bi-ski. Zack Conley received the Shawnee Peak award for alpine skiing.

Sixty snowshoers took charge of the area in front of the lodge for their competition in the 25-, 50- and 100-meter sprints. Rhonda Lausier was the venue leader.

Stephen Dean won the Tubbs Snowshoe award for his spirited effort and enthusiasm. Chelsea Warner, Zachary Schoonmaker and Cory Hutchins proudly represented Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School. They were happy to bring home medals and ribbons in their events.

The National Guard provided a Humvee for athletes to get in, take pictures of and learn about the vehicle. The Easyriders, from Bridgton, provided snowmobile rides all day on Tuesday.

Smokey the Bear, accompanied by his Ranger, spent time with everyone on the mountain. And the State Farm Bear encouraged the athletes in their events and attended the dance for pictures and conga lines with the athletes.

A bonfire at the base of the mountain provided some warmth outside to the chilly evening as athletes waited for the Red Carpet Dance to open for the evening entertainment. Caprice Littlefield took charge of this project and made it into an affair to remember. Athletes dressed up in their favorite “star.”

Athletes and coaches were able to stay on the mountain in the Shawnee Peak House and the Downeast Ski Club due to generous donations from each. Shawnee Peak provided a cookout lunch on the mountainside along with a banquet dinner before the dance and bagged lunch for Wednesday.

Mary Beth Sullivan managed the volunteers. The Special Olympics USA Scarf Project provided enough scarves for all athletes, coaches and volunteers to wear with pride in the opening parade and throughout the games.

The Oxford County Sportsmanship Award went to Momentum, a team from Casco. They showed courage, camaraderie and great effort in the games.

The Mickey Boutillier Award went to Emma’s Happy Rebels for their enthusiasm.

Opening speakers were Julie Parisien, USA Olympian in alpine skiing, and Barbara Smith, deputy commissioner, DHHS.

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