It was a weekend of camaraderie and fun, and some local athletes also came away with a bunch of medals proving how dedicated they are to their sport.<\/p>\n
Six members of the Special Olympics Muskoka cross-country ski team\u2014Amber Bucholtz, Mark Cheek, James Clarke, John Groenevelt, Randy MacDonald (Coon), and Samantha MacKenzie\u2014qualified to compete in the 2019 Special Olympics Ontario Winter Games, which were held January 31 to February 3 in Sault Ste. Marie.<\/p>\n
“Special Olympics results are divisioned based on age and abilities, not just speed, therefore giving all athletes an opportunity to compete for the Gold, and we sure had a great group of athletes representing our community,” explained coach Cindy Blake.<\/p>\n
The Muskoka cross-country team comprises athletes of varying ages and abilities who all train and practice at Arrowhead Provincial Park.<\/p>\n
The athletes who travelled to Sault Ste. Marie for the Winter Games are:<\/p>\n
Amber Bucholtz<\/strong>, 26, who lives in Huntsville and began cross-country skiing in 2014. This was her second time competing at the provincial games; the first was at North Bay in 2015. She also competed at the national games in Cornerbrook, Nfld. in 2016.<\/p>\n Amber Bucholtz<\/p><\/div>\n Mark Cheek<\/strong>, 18, who lives in Huntsville and attends Huntsville High School (HHS). This was his first time competing at the provincial games. Mark also skis with the HHS Nordic ski team and brought home gold medals from the OFSAA Para-Nordic competition in both 2017 and 2018. He only began to ski in 2017.<\/p>\n\n\t\t![\"Amber](\"https:\/\/media-doppleronline-ca.s3-accelerate.amazonaws.com\/2019\/02\/Amber-Bucholtz-1.jpg\")