Ashwaubenon, Wis. (WFRV) - Some of the best local athletes in bowling hit the lanes Sunday in Ashwaubenon.

Some serious competition was underway at Ashwaubenon Lanes for the Northeastern Wisconsin Regional Bowling tournament.

Hundreds of athletes have been training for months to prepare for the battle on the lanes.

Special Olympics gives the athletes an opportunity to socialize and gain confidence and self esteem, and show off their skills.

"It's fun and it's nice to meet a lot of new people," athlete Angela Crowder says.

 
"This is a time when they're with their friends, their teammates, their coaches and they really get to show their stuff," Regional Director Kathy Walker adds.  "They have been practicing so hard and we're happy to cheer them on, we're fans in the stands and we hope everybody can come out and witness one of our tournaments. "

The top bowlers today go on to compete in the sectionals, and the winners there then go on to state there the competition gets really fierce.