One of Griswold's Unified Partners, Connor Frizzell, may have broken down Thursday's Norwich Invitational speed skating event perfectly, saying it was like the semifinals.

 

It certainly was a big deal to the Special Olympic skaters, coaches and volunteers involved.

 

Alan Hughes, former Special Olympics competition director for the state, held the event to prepare the athletes for what could be coined the finals: The Special Olympics Winter Games in Simsbury on March 5-6.

 

"It is like the highlight of our year," said Griswold coach Erin Palonen. "We are super-excited."