SPECIAL OLYMPIANS READY FOR MEDALS.

Byline: Amy Raisin Staff Writer

The Special Olympics winter games will begin today in Big Bear and one local athlete, a snowshoer from Agoura Hills, admits that land training on Zuma Beach and deep-pile carpet can be a real pain.

After a work-out, said 24-year-old Nicki Shearer, ``I want to go home and go to bed.''

But for the chance to compete and spend time with friends, she'll sweat it out.

Shearer, like housemate Tracey Jones, another snowshoer, is developmentally disabled. Her speech is sometimes difficult to understand, until she lets out a delighted laugh over another's mutual interest in hockey.

They are among 16 Ventura County athletes, and 283 from throughout Southern California, who will compete for the next three days in winter sports from cross-country and alpine skiing to figure and speed skating in Big Bear and Lake Arrowhead.

``It's a tremendous self-esteem builder, which to me is one of the cornerstones of a happy life,'' said Chellis Rogers, Ventura director for the Special Olympics.

Founded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver as a nonprofit organization in 1968, the Special Olympics began as a day camp for mentally disabled children and adults, promoting the therapeutic effects of physical fitness and sports.

Over the decades the Special Olympics has grown to include 143 countries, with more than 1 million athletes.

Rogers said training for summer and winter sports is a yearlong endeavor, adding that while the athletes enjoy the competition, it's often the camaraderie that inspires them.

But for Jones, 27, a little healthy competition keeps her fired up.

``I'm competitive,'' said Jones, who in addition to snowshoeing has competed in basketball and volleyball. ``When I was in computer class, I always wanted to win.''

Another fierce competitor, 28-year-old Jeff Oberkrieser of Simi Valley, is considered a veteran with 48 medals and eight bowling trophies.

The polite, soft spoken athlete, this year competing in cross-country skiing, is autistic.

``But he's a competitor,'' said his mother, Harriett. ``He's very passive and quiet, but when he gets into the competition he really goes. He's always wanting to bring home a medal.''

Oberkrieser has trained for the skiing event with weekly visits to a nearby recreation center, practicing his strides on the carpet. When asked what it's like to have a medal placed around his neck, his answer was clear: ``I feel happy.''

His mother praised the volunteers who have helped to enrich Jeff's life, as well as her own.

``I think his life would be pretty dull (without the games). It's taught him perseverance, concentration and he's learned to socialize,'' she said. ``I've never met a coach who didn't genuinely care for Jeff.''

The volunteers who spend hours training and working with the athletes do so because they enjoy the experience, said one coach, not for any type of monetary gain or fame.

``(The athletes) are all really fun to be around,'' said Agoura High student and two-year volunteer Amir Nejad, 18. ``They're all really nice and affectionate people.

``It makes me feel good, helping other people. Plus, I'm having fun - I've made a lot of friends,'' Nejad said.

Nejad said he thinks it's beneficial for the parents, as well. ``They get to see their kids excel at sports and different things. It's awesome.''

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Photo: (color) From left, Special Olympians Nicki Shearer, Tracey Jones and Carl Norgard will compete in Big Bear this week.

Joe Binoya/Special to the Daily News