The annual Cumberland County Special Olympics swim meet was held Thursday, March 30, at the Donald L. Richards Community Pool in Cape Elizabeth. Seventeen schools and organizations sent athletes to the competition that was all about effort and participation.

The swimmers were divided into various age groups (11-and-under, 12-15, 16-21, and 22-and-older) and they swam an assortment of races and distances (25-yard freestyle, 25-yard backstroke, 25-yard breaststroke, 50-yard freestyle and the 50-yard backstroke).

The final portion of the meet also included relay team events and assisted swims.

Cape Elizabeth had a large number of swimmers including Thomas Bourdeaux, Bobby DeMarco, Nolan Dorrance, Chase Gaston, Shawn Hall, Rudy Pelzer, Ben Schklair, Gabe Brewington, Creed Ray, Abby Theriault, Eric Johnson, Luke Lomma, Ian Robertson, Sabrina Holmes, Peter Tarling, Thatcher Kent, and Patrick Taylor.

Nathan Doucette of Residential Resources in Scarborough also participated.

The state swim meet is scheduled for Bates College in Lewiston on April 27.

The Special Olympics mission is “to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage , experience joy and participate in sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community.”

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