He had trained for it since March, but midway through the North Dakota Special Olympics bench press Friday, Chad Tetrault wasn't even sure how much weight he was lifting.
"I don't know. I don't worry about it," said Tetrault of Grand Forks. "I'll see when I get up there."
Personal records aren't the focus at these summer games in Fargo, where losers get just as much applause as winners, if not more.
"Winning or losing isn't as important," said Robbie Ereth, a 22-year-old from Mandan who competed in his first Special Olympics when he was 8. "It's to have fun and to meet friends."
About 500 athletes from across the state came to North Dakota State University Friday to compete in the two-day event, now in its 30th year. The games are open to anyone who is at least 8 years old, has mental retardation and has qualified at the district level.
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Volunteer Donna Heck said the athletes are excited to be there, regardless of how well they do.
"Just to do their best is just a thrill to them," she said.
When Ereth began the bench press competition by demonstrating proper lifting technique, the other athletes in the room chanted his name, clapped their hands and yelled their support. Ereth, who would later lift a personal best of 185 pounds, was lifting a 45-pound bar.
While the athletes enjoy cheering for each other, don't assume that they don't take their games seriously. Patrick Beerman, a Special Olympics competitor since he was 12, compared his fellow athletes to varsity NDSU athletes.
"We get just as psyched," said Beerman, 30. "We get into it just as much."
Most of the powerlifting athletes have been working on their form, flexibility and strength with coaches since March. Some, like 23-year-old Robin Just of Mandan, have competed at the international level.
Just began training with her father, Ron, about eight years ago. Now "she's the best female lifter in the country," said Wayne Oberg, North Dakota's Special Olympics powerlifting co-director.
Just competed in the 1999 World Games in North Carolina, where she was "the class of the field," Oberg said.
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Wearing a blue singlet over a white T-shirt, Just deadlifted 335 pounds Friday, a day she's been looking forward to for months.
"Let's put it this way, (Robin) packed on Tuesday night," her father said.
Volleyball, bocce ball, swimming and power lifting events were held Friday at NDSU's Bison Sports Arena and the Ellig Sports Complex. Track and Field events begin at 10 a.m. today and run until the 2 p.m. closing ceremonies.
Athletes, volunteers and coaches celebrated the games' opening ceremony Friday in Newman Outdoor Field before the RedHawks baseball game. Speaking to the crowd over the public address speakers, Gov. John Hoeven congratulated the athletes and commended their courage.
"Remember, it's not always ability that dictates who wins," Hoeven said.
Readers can reach Forum reporter David Forster at (701) 235-7311
