BILLINGS -- It was with a mix of pride and relief that volunteers closed the 23rd annual Big Sky State Games Sunday.

An estimated 10,000 competitors of all ages took part in the games, which included events ranging from fencing to the triathlon.

Behind the scenes, more than 2,000 volunteers made the games a reality this year, said Karen Sanford-Gall, the executive director of Big Sky State Games. Their work started more than six months ago as they prepared mailings to athletes and continued until the last results were posted online late Sunday night.

Most volunteers are from the Billings area, but several officials and scorekeepers came from as far away as Missoula, Helena, Miles City and even North Dakota.

Cynthia Misner, a longtime volunteer who now lives in Berthold, N.D., drove 450 miles to help with the track meet. She used to live in Billings, and even though she moved last year, she said she wasn't ready to give up the fun and camaraderie she'd come to enjoy every year at the State Games.

"I used to run in track and field and people timed for me, so now I volunteer to time," she said.

The friendships she's developed -- even the ones with folks she sees only once a year at the games -- are what makes her experience special.

"The enjoyment and the energy and excitement that people have for just being together is what's great," Sanford-Gall said.

Ron Nierstheimer, has been volunteering for the State Games since it started, and said he does it not just because of the strong friendships he has developed with other volunteers, but because he wants to support student athletes.

"These kids, they wouldn't be able to compete without us," he said. "It's a long weekend and a tough weekend, but it's worth it.

More than 500 athletes competed in track and field events, and about 90 volunteers kept the meet running smoothly.

Mike Carignan, an assistant track and field coach at Montana State University, has been volunteering for the track meet for past 22 years and comes to watch the state's best young athletes compete. The weekend is an opportunity for informal recruiting, he said. College and high school track meets are held at the same time of the year, so he doesn't have a chance to watch high school students compete except at the State Games.

"I find it very valuable for recruiting because I get to see who really enjoys (competition) and who out here really loves it," Carignan said.

His wife, Rosie Wallander, also volunteers, and they plan their summer around the Big Sky State Games. Carignan coaches the throwing events, and always brings extra equipment and measuring tapes just in case they're needed. Loaded with javelins, shot puts, throwing hammers and the like, Carignan and Wallander call their car the State Games-mobile.

This year was the first year Wyoming athletes were allowed to participate in the Big Sky State Games, and Sanford-Gall said they made a good showing with Wyoming competitors scattered across most every major event.

"It was just a year to let them know about the opportunity, and I expect their numbers will grow," said Sanford-Gall.