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.
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Andrew Sambol (center), of Somerset County, celebrates after receiving a gold medal in the 50-meter snowshoe competition during the Special Olympics Pennsylvania Winter Games at Seven Springs Mountain Resort in Somerset County on Thursday, February 12, 2026. Joining Sambol at the medal stand is second-place finisher Maria Petrillo (left), of Chester County, and third-place athlete Adam Spiker, of Somerset County.
Berlin Brothersvalley High School students gather for a group photograph while volunteering at a snowshoe competition during the Special Olympics Pennsylvania Winter Games at Seven Springs Mountain Resort in Somerset County on Thursday, February 12, 2026.
Zachary Duranko, of Cambria County, proudly displays his medals at the snowshoe competition during the Special Olympics Pennsylvania Winter Games at Seven Springs Mountain Resort in Somerset County on Thursday, February 12, 2026.
Christa Mereen (right), representing Somerset County, gets a high-five from event volunteer Steve Szklany, of Pittsburgh, after competing in the 100-meter snowshoe race during the Special Olympics Pennsylvania Winter Games at Seven Springs Mountain Resort in Somerset County on Thursday, February 12, 2026.
Korey Steinberg (center), of Northampton County, leads the pack in the 100-meter snowshoe race during the Special Olympics Pennsylvania Winter Games at Seven Springs Mountain Resort in Somerset County on Thursday, February 12, 2026.
John Forosisky (left), of Cambria County, celebrates his gold medal performance with Pennsylvania State Trooper Tristan Fay after 100-meter snowshoe race during the Special Olympics Pennsylvania Winter Games at Seven Springs Mountain Resort in Somerset County on Thursday, February 12, 2026.
Abby Pritt, of Franklin County, competes in the 100-meter snowshoe race during the Special Olympics Pennsylvania Winter Games at Seven Springs Mountain Resort in Somerset County on Thursday, February 12, 2026.
Andrew Sambol (center), of Somerset County, celebrates after receiving a gold medal in the 50-meter snowshoe competition during the Special Olympics Pennsylvania Winter Games at Seven Springs Mountain Resort in Somerset County on Thursday, February 12, 2026. Joining Sambol at the medal stand is second-place finisher Maria Petrillo (left), of Chester County, and third-place athlete Adam Spiker, of Somerset County.
Berlin Brothersvalley High School students gather for a group photograph while volunteering at a snowshoe competition during the Special Olympics Pennsylvania Winter Games at Seven Springs Mountain Resort in Somerset County on Thursday, February 12, 2026.
Zachary Duranko, of Cambria County, proudly displays his medals at the snowshoe competition during the Special Olympics Pennsylvania Winter Games at Seven Springs Mountain Resort in Somerset County on Thursday, February 12, 2026.
Christa Mereen (right), representing Somerset County, gets a high-five from event volunteer Steve Szklany, of Pittsburgh, after competing in the 100-meter snowshoe race during the Special Olympics Pennsylvania Winter Games at Seven Springs Mountain Resort in Somerset County on Thursday, February 12, 2026.
Korey Steinberg (center), of Northampton County, leads the pack in the 100-meter snowshoe race during the Special Olympics Pennsylvania Winter Games at Seven Springs Mountain Resort in Somerset County on Thursday, February 12, 2026.
John Forosisky (left), of Cambria County, celebrates his gold medal performance with Pennsylvania State Trooper Tristan Fay after 100-meter snowshoe race during the Special Olympics Pennsylvania Winter Games at Seven Springs Mountain Resort in Somerset County on Thursday, February 12, 2026.
Abby Pritt, of Franklin County, competes in the 100-meter snowshoe race during the Special Olympics Pennsylvania Winter Games at Seven Springs Mountain Resort in Somerset County on Thursday, February 12, 2026.
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Kelly Urban is a reporter for The Tribune-Democrat. She can be reached at (814) 532-5073. Follow her on Twitter @KellyUrban25.