Special Olympics PA returns to Seven Springs. What fun's in store at the 2023 Winter Games?

Beth Ann Miller, The Daily American
·3 min read

Somerset County is once again hosting athletes from Special Olympics Pennsylvania at Seven Springs Mountain Resort for three days of snow sports competition, friendship and fun.

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The annual outdoor winter sports competition was on hiatus for the past two years due to COVID-19, but on Tuesday, hundreds of athletes from across Pennsylvania, as well as from Maryland, Delaware and Virginia, will gather at Seven Springs to light the Olympic flame and kick off the Special Olympics Pennsylvania 2023 Winter Games.

When do the Winter Games begin?

Opening ceremonies begin at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and the public is invited to attend. The evening’s events also include musical performances, the lighting of the Olympic cauldron by athletes and members of law enforcement and a fireworks display.

A Special Olympics athlete lights the Olympic cauldron at the 2020 Pennsylvania Winter Games at Seven Springs Mountain Resort. The Games return to Seven Springs starting Tuesday.
A Special Olympics athlete lights the Olympic cauldron at the 2020 Pennsylvania Winter Games at Seven Springs Mountain Resort. The Games return to Seven Springs starting Tuesday.

On Wednesday and Thursday, athletes will compete in alpine skiing, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing events. A victory dance for the athletes takes place from 7-9 p.m. Wednesday. An awards ceremony and closing ceremony on Thursday wraps up the official schedule.

“We couldn’t be happier to return to the Seven Springs Mountain Resort for this year’s Winter Games,” said Mike Ermer, Special Olympics Pennsylvania’s western competition director. “Even though the event has been on hold for two years, our athletes never stopped training, which will certainly make for a more intense and close competition than ever before. That, combined with the incredible work done by our coaches, volunteers and Winter Games committee, is sure to make this year’s competition one of the most special Winter Games we’ve ever had."

2020 Winter Games:Athletes ‘ready to go’ for Special Olympics

Special Olympics Pennsylvania athletes, coaches, families and friends gather for the opening ceremonies of the 2020 Winter Games at Seven Springs Mountain Resort. The Games return to Seven Springs this month.
Special Olympics Pennsylvania athletes, coaches, families and friends gather for the opening ceremonies of the 2020 Winter Games at Seven Springs Mountain Resort. The Games return to Seven Springs this month.

Somerset County athletes ready to compete

Seven athletes from Somerset County are among those participating, said Sue Putman, who serves on the Winter Games committee and is the cross-country sport director.

Christa Mereen and Brian Miller are competing in the cross-country skiing events, and Jessica Barley, Wasimul Mallick, Andy Sambol, Heather Saylor and Nikole Walker are competing in snowshoeing events.

Coaching the cross-country skiers is Nate Bergstresser and the snowshoeing coach is Shasta Wildenmann. Nora Richards is the assistant coach and Jamie Deem is the head of the delegation.

Putman said the athletes, coaches and volunteers have been practicing since early December. Many of the athletes compete in other sports throughout the year as well. The group is looking forward to seeing old friends again and enjoy competing and being together.

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“Things are amping up,” she said. “I’ve been hearing from people asking, ‘Are you coming?’ The athletes are excited, they wanted to know their packing list (items to pack for the games) weeks ago.

“They’ll see their friends that they haven’t seen for a while, and they really like to compete. Our team, they’re competitive.”

The Winter Games are also an opportunity for the athletes to qualify for the 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games, which are to be held in Turin, Italy.

Somerset County students volunteering at Winter Games

A group of 17 students from the Berlin Brothersvalley High School will help out as volunteers in the snowshoeing competition, and students from other schools are coming to help with the alpine skiing events.

“We’re the host county, so there’s a lot of involvement in helping (with the Games),” she said.

So, the atmosphere at the 44th annual Special Olympics Pennsylvania Winter Games will be coated in wintry fun and games, even as the weather forecast for mid-week calls for air temperatures closer to 60 degrees than 30 degrees.

“(Seven Springs) has been stockpiling snow,” Putman said. “We’ll deal with whatever happens.

“The opening ceremonies are always exciting. This is a big deal for them (the athletes). It’s an event that’s totally structured for them. This is their show, this is their deal.

“The opening ceremonies is a big deal, and the dance is a big deal ― everybody dances, there’s no wallflowers.”

This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Special Olympics PA returns to Seven Springs for 2023 Winter Games