SEVEN SPRINGS, Pa. – Before heading home from the Special Olympics Pennsylvania Winter Games, athletes gave it one last push Thursday to win a medal.

Awards ceremonies were held for more than 300 athletes who competed in alpine skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing during two days of competition at Seven Springs Mountain Resort.

“The vibe has really been up this year, and everybody has been very excited at these games,” said Michelle Jordan, a member of the Winter Games snowshoeing event committee.

“We have a lot of returning athletes, but we also have a lot of new athletes. We always say Winter Games is a different beast than the other games throughout the year, but because of that it makes it such a unique event, and it’s one big reunion.”

PHOTO GALLERY | Special Olympics Pennsylvania Winter Games | Seven Springs Mountain Resort

Cambria County athlete Ashlee Ragan celebrated her bronze medal in a snowshoeing event.

“This is my first year doing snowshoe, and it means a lot to me,” she said. “I worked my hardest, and I’m glad that I did it.”

Ragan, who also received two additional medals at the games, said it feels great to compete.

“I have to practice a lot, and we practice at UPJ (the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown),” she said. “I plan to keep competing because I like to participate with my team.”

Adam Spiker, a Somerset County athlete, was participating in his first Winter Games.

“My teammates did snowshoe and I decided to give it a try,” he said after receiving a silver medal in a snowshoe event. “I love it and being on snowshoes.”

Spiker said the games are thrilling.

“I want to keep doing this,” he said. “I liked being with my friends and meeting new people.”

Somerset County athlete Vanessa Carroll, who was competing in snowshoe for the first time, celebrated her gold medal win.

“I really like this and wanted to do it because it sounded like a lot of fun,” she said. “I learned how strong I can be.”

Carroll said meeting new people has been her favorite part of the games.

“I’m going to keep doing this because it’s fun,” she said.

Andrew Sambol has been participating in Winter Games for more than 20 years and has received multiple medals.

“There’s camaraderie and friendly competition,” the Somerset County athlete said. “You bet I’ll be back next year. I look forward to this every year.”

Jordan said the hope is that athletes had a great experience at the games.

“It’s about teamwork; it’s about listening to your coaches; it’s about learning that things have to be in place sometimes for things to go well, but when they don’t go well, they are learned lessons that you can work on for next year,” she said. “It’s also about making sure there’s sportsmanship. There’s no sore losers here; everybody is a winner.”