MANSFIELD — Chris Kukowski glided down the hill, weaving back and forth between the poles with ease.
Skiing is nothing new for Kukowski. He’s been hitting the slopes since he was ten years old. But this was his first year competing in winter sports with the Special Olympics.
After finishing his run, Kukowski slid to the sidelines and cocked his head, listening intently for the announcer to call out his qualifying time. Then he let out a whoop and fist-bumped a nearby coach.
Special Olympics Ohio held its 2025 Outdoor State Winter Games at Snow Trails on Monday. Forty three athletes from across the state competed in skiing, snowboarding and snow shoe racing.
Chris Mitchell and Chris Kukowski pose for a photo at the Special Olympics Ohio 2025 Outdoor Winter Games. Credit: Special Olympics Ohio Richland County 
Chris Kukowski high fives a supporter after hearing his time in the preliminary slalom trials.
Richland County was represented by two athletes, who each got two gold medals in their respective events.
Kukowski competed in the intermediate division slalom and giant slalom alpine skiing.
“We’ve been practicing once a week for the last month, for about an hour, hour and a half,” said Kukowski’s coach Robb Wappner. “He grew up skiing, so he has a little edge to the competition with that.”
Chris Mitchell competed in the 50 and 100 meter snowshoe races. He took gold medals in both events, despite this being his first season as a snowshoe racer.
“He’s a runner, so that helps. He’s got that background, and just using his power in his arms speed him forward,” said Lauren Rowan, Mitchell’s coach.
Rowan has also coached Mitchell through two seasons of track. She praised his work ethic and sportsmanship.
“We are just really proud of him. He took a loop of faith and tried something new,” she said.
“He always tries his hardest. He builds up his fellow athletes, even from other counties, and he’s there to lift everybody up.”
Snow Trails hosted first Special Olympics Winter Games since the pandemic
Both Mitchell and Kukowski have been involved with Special Olympics for several years and played multiple sports.
“(Kukowski) participates in every season of sports. He has basketball, he’s done bowling, softball — you name it. He’s done it,” said Cody Barker, co-coordinator for Richland County Special Olympics.
This year’s event marked Special Olympics Ohio’s first Winter Games to be hosted in the state since the pandemic.
According to Chad Highland, director of communications and marketing, the event was cancelled in 2021. Since then, it’s been held jointly with Special Olympics Indiana at a resort in the Hoosier state.
Jenn Henley, vice president of sports and field operations for Special Olympics Ohio, said she anticipates returning to Snow Trails for the 2026 competition.
“The facility is awesome and the staff is even better. We’ve got a great partnership with these guys,” Henley said.
“They’re so easy to work with and so accommodating. It’s a start of a really great relationship.”
