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Women's Hockey to Honor Special Olympics Athletes
Jan. 7, 2009
Orono, Maine--The University of Maine women's ice hockey team is set to honor local Special Olympics athletes at its upcoming home game versus Boston University on Saturday, Jan. 17, at 7 p.m. Seven local atheletes will join the Black Bears as they skate onto the ice and will be introduced with the players as the game's starting line-ups are announced. All athletes in attendence will be honored after the first period and will have the opportunity to win door prizes and attend a post-game autograph session with the players. "We are excited to have the opportunity to honor these outstanding athletes," said Maine head coach Dan Lichterman. "I have a great admiration for the determination, sacrifice and passion that is displayed by these athletes and we are excited to host them here as a part of our team for the night. I also want to thank all of the volunteers who give their time to the Special Olympics program." The event will pay particular tribute to Caitlyn Gunn and Jackie Contino who will drop a ceremonial puck to celebrate their upcoming attendance at the Special Olympics World Winter Games starting Saturday, Feb. 7, in Boise, Idaho. They will be among nearly 3,000 Special Olympic athletes from over 100 countries competing in the ninth installment of the World Winter Games. Gunn, a graduate of Hampden Academy, is a speed skater who has been involved with the Special Olympics for 18 years and represented Maine in the 2001 World Games in Anchorage, Alaska. Contino currently attends Bangor High School and will be competing in Alpine Skiing, this will be her first World Games. She is also a member of several local swim teams, including the Bangor High team that claimed the Class A State Championship in 2007-2008. For more information please contact Sean Hladick at (207) 581-4129 or sean.hladick@umit.maine.edu(.) -U-M-
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