A bus load of excited fans traveled to Laramie on Thursday.

But those fans weren't going to a rock concert or to the opening of a blockbuster hit. No presidential candidate or famous person awaited them there.

They were going to watch Faith Morris compete.

Morris, of Casper, has been an avid athlete for 18 years. To stay in shape, she swims, runs track and plays basketball. It takes "lots of practice," she said.

In her spare time, she watches movies, sings songs, dances and spends time with friends - many of whom are her biggest fans. They went to cheer her on at the 2008 Special Olympics State Summer Games, which run through Saturday.

Morris joined more than 600 athletes, coaches and partners from all over the state for the event. Competitions are being held at the University of Wyoming campus, Laramie High School, Laramie Aquatics Center and the Wyoming School of Gymnastics.

Athletes at the 2008 games compete in basketball, aquatics, power lifting, gymnastics and track and field. They are all different ages, and will try to win bronze, silver and gold medals.

Morris said she couldn't "wait to go out of town." She's been to Laramie before and enjoys traveling with friends. She's also "so excited" to participate in Special Olympics.

Special Olympics Wyoming is a nonprofit organization providing year-round sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with cognitive disabilities.

Contact reporter Megan Lee at (307) 266-0589 or megan.lee@trib.com