PRESQUE ISLE — A Northern Maine Basketball Tourney and Skills Competition was held Feb. 8 at the University of Maine at Presque Isle’s Gentile Hall on behalf of Special Olympics Maine and sponsored by Maine Public Service Company.
According to Gina LeBlanc-Eggert, a MPS employee and event organizer, 114 Special Olympic athletes from all parts of Aroostook County participated in the annual event. Athletes, coaches and volunteers represented their organizations, schools and towns including SAD 70 Mill Pond Elementary School, Caribou Life Skills, Central Aroostook ARC, St. John Valley Associates, Personal Services of Aroostook, Limestone Community School, Van Buren DSS, Community Living Association, Wisdom Middle/High School, Opportunity Training Center and Adult Multiple Alternative Center.
The Caribou High School varsity boys basketball team volunteered and manned stations for skill drills and participated in games against Special Olympic athletes from four different organizations.
Athletes choose which of three contests to compete in. Everyone completed their contest and were ranked on their final contest score and according to their age group. Every athlete earns a ribbon for the day.
“Athletes have a great time — they enjoy the interaction, the challenge and the award. Most of all they exemplify sportsmanship, determination and the Special Olympic motto ‘Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt’”, said LeBlanc-Eggert.
Contributed photo
GIVING OUT THE HONORS, Presque Isle Police Officer Kevin Reed awards athlete Bobby Farley of Woodland Consolidated School his Special Olympic ribbon.
