'World-class experience': Special Olympics of Pennsylvania's Winter Games open at Seven Springs
Feb. 14—SEVEN SPRINGS, Pa. — Seven Springs Mountain Resort came alive with celebration, camaraderie and the anticipation of competition during the Special Olympics of Pennsylvania's 45th Annual Winter Games Opening Ceremonies on Tuesday.
Almost 300 athletes, along with coaches and supporters, ate a meal together before the ceremony that included speeches, a parade and torch lighting.
The snowshoeing, alpine skiing and snowboarding events will take place on Wednesday and Thursday and culminate the participants' months of training.
"They get a world-class experience here at a ski resort," SOPA President and CEO Matt Aaron said. "They come from all over the state of Pennsylvania. They've been training. They've been competing back home with their programs. They all get to come here, see their friends that they maybe haven't seen in a year from the last time that we did this event. And they get to come here and compete at this wonderful ski resort."
Seven Springs has hosted the Winter Games for a decade.
"We have an immense amount of gratitude and we're really honored to have the group coming back year after year. ... We want to continue to see this coming back year after year for many, many more years to come," said Brett Cook, the resort's vice president and general manager. "It's an inspiration. I'm getting goosebumps listening to athletes and seeing what they're doing out here.
"It's one of my favorite events that we have."
The SOPA Winter Games, as always, include a hometown delegation from Team Somerset.
"Here at Seven Springs, it's so nice because it's all here," Team Somerset head coach Sue Putman said. "Everybody's here. We don't have to shuttle to any other venues for competition. It just makes it a lot more enjoyable for the athletes and the coaches."
Jessica Barley, a Team Somerset snowshoer, said "I just love the way they have all of it set up, and they do a lot for us athletes."
She described the event as an "exciting" way to meet people. "You have your old friends, but also have new friends and keep in touch with each other and just make memories," Barley said.
Joining Barley, Mike Wyant will also be representing Team Somerset in snowshoeing.
"I love this," Wyant said. "I love snowshoeing, and I have a good coach, Sue Putman. I like being up here at Seven Springs. And I'm going to do well, and I'm going to have fun."
