PRESQUE ISLE – The sky was gray and the wind was cool, but the atmosphere around the Dr. Gehrig T. Johnson Athletic Complex at the Presque Isle Middle School was warm, faces were smiling and athletes were winded and toasty.

Hundreds of people – athletes wearing their competition bibs, volunteers and parents – were busy going from one competition to the other.

Some athletes ran, others walked and some jumped in the many competitions being held at the annual Aroostook County Special Olympics tryouts held in preparation for the Maine Special Olympics, which will be held in two weeks in Orono.

“This is one of the largest competitions held in Maine,” coordinator Steve Richard said. “This leads up to the state competitions for these athletes.

“They are competing on many levels by ages and abilities,” he said between races on the running track. “We had great opening ceremonies.”

Athlete Jackie Mercure of Madawaska and Madawaska police Chief Ronald Pelletier lighted the competition torch at the opening ceremonies Friday morning.

The Presque Isle Middle School band played and led the parade of athletes into the stadium for the events.

“This is one of the better projects we work on all year,” Sgt. Thomas Pelletier of the Maine State Police said. “It’s just wonderful to see them all compete.”

Many Maine State Police troopers were among the scores of volunteers for the annual games. Other volunteers, 170 students, represented 12 Aroostook County high school National Honor Societies. There were police and firefighters from throughout the county.

Richard said 264 athletes from Island Falls to Fort Kent showed up for the day of events. They came in 38 delegations from schools and group homes scattered throughout northern Maine.

The competitions included 50-, 100- and 200-meter runs, a 100-meter walk, standing long jump and softball throw. There were separate competitions for special Olympians in wheelchairs.

It didn’t matter what competition was going on or who was on the track – loud cheers came through from spectators for all the competitors.

“The name’s RJ,” Richard Wilcox of Presque Isle said after winning his class in the standing long jump. “I also won first place in throwing.”

Then he and some friends went to the podium for the award ceremony. A few minutes later, he was seen again moving toward a lunch stand. It was time for a couple of hot dogs and a cold drink.

It had been a good morning. Athletes were smiling, showing their ribbons and medals to friends and family. It was an event filled with pride, with athletes – like all athletes – who had given it their best shot.