Courtney Green and James Owen cheered on their team Friday in the bocce competition at the Special Olympics Maine State Summer Games.

They’ve been training for a year ahead of their track and field events but wanted to share their enthusiasm with teammates competing inside the Mahaney Dome at the University of Maine.

“Mostly we just love doing Special Olympics because it makes us feel like we can accomplish anything, no matter what our disabilities are,” Green, 30, said.

About 1,200 athletes will compete in the games this weekend, which is expected to draw more than 4,000 coaches, spectators and volunteers to Orono.

This year 92 teams — a record high — signed up to play bocce. With a double elimination tournament, officials prepared for 184 games of bocce in addition to the track and field events outside, said Caroline Cole, director of Unified Champion Schools for Special Olympics Maine.

“Athletes are training all spring, they are competing in their area track meet and then they come here so it means they worked really hard to get here,” she said. “For athletes who stay the weekend, it’s a fun weekend away from home. They get to see friends they might only see at this event every year.”

There’s a dance and opening ceremony too to add to the fun.

On Friday, 20 bocce courts nearly filled the dome, leaving just enough room for families to sit in lawn chairs along the sides to support their athletes.

Angie Flesher, 40, and John Tripp, 40, both said they were looking forward to track and field events.

“I just like being with the people and cheering them on,” Flesher said. “Just having a good day.”

For 67-year-old Patrick Macdougall, the Summer Games are just the next in a long line of competitions through the years, from basketball to softball to long jump and the softball throw.

“I like the sports and meeting people from all different counties,” he said.

Owen, 42, said he’s been competing for 15 or 20 years, including at events in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

For Green, the experience goes way beyond the sports.

“Getting to hang out with each other because we consider us as a family so it’s like we’re supporting one another,” she said.