Some NorthCentral Wisconsin athletes are still in good spirits tonight after an entire day of competition.

Today Merrill High School hosted nearly 300 Special Olympics athletes who competed in more than18 outdoor sporting events.

Athletes from all over our area train all year long for Special Olympics competitions like these, but even though they're competing against each other in everything from soft ball throws to wheel chair events; athletes and organizers say they're more concerned about making friends.

But of course, it wouldn't be a competition without giving athletes a little something to brag about.

Jerry Lyon Sporting Event Coordinator says, “No matter what the event is and all when you walk into the awards tent over here and you see the athletes getting the awards their faces light up its incredible you know there's no reason not to come back."

Athletes at today’s event were all competing for a chance to move onto the Special Olympics Summer State Games, which is coming up June 5th and 6th in Stevens Point.

More than 600 Special Olympics Athletes from all over Wisconsin will be competing at those state games this summer.