Guard biathlon team searches for future Olympians

By Sgt. 1st Class Erick Studenicka
Nevada National Guard

In 2002, the U.S. Olympic team included five National Guard biathletes. In February, Sgt. Jesse Downs of the Vermont Guard has a legitimate chance to make the 2010 team. But who will represent the United States and the National Guard in future Olympic Games?To seek out future high-caliber athletes, the Guard’s biathlon program sent a team to West Yellowstone, Mont., during the Yellowstone Ski Festival in November to showcase its program to top youth skiers.

In addition to sending some of its top biathletes to the festival, recruiting and public affairs specialists were on hand to explain the many opportunities of being a Guard biathlete.

“It’s my goal to get the word out about the National Guard’s biathlon program, especially to the thousands of young skiers throughout the nation,” said Maj. Andrew Parsons, the new biathlon program coordinator. “In addition to the many individual benefits these young men and women will receive as Airmen and Soldiers and as athletes in a fully-funded and supported program, these future biathletes will improve the combat ability of the Guard with their high level of fitness and rifle marksmanship.

“And, of course, they will have the potential to represent the National Guard and the U.S. in future national and international competitions such as the World Cup and the Olympics.”

The Yellowstone Ski Festival drew about 3,000 Nordic skiers to the town referred to by the locals as “West” located just outside Yellowstone National Park. The week’s activities included a sprint biathlon, a novice biathlon and a biathlon clinic in addition to traditional cross country races and clinics.

About 50 people participated in the biathlon clinic, co-hosted by the National Guard and the U.S. Biathlon Association.

“I really appreciate the opportunity for my skiers to shoot real biathlon rifles on a safe, regulation range – we don’t often get that chance,” said Jeff Schloss, a Nordic ski coach at a local school. “Some of our skiers enjoy the extra aspect of marksmanship included in the biathlon and may choose to specialize in biathlon in the future.”

Members of team didn’t have much time to relax during the festival. On Nov. 25, Sgt. 1st Class Shawn Blanke of the Utah National Guard competed in the 10-kilometer biathlon race at noon, taught a biathlon clinic at 2 p.m., and then manned the National Guard biathlon exhibit booth at the ski festival from 7-9 p.m.

“There were some busy days for sure, but it was rewarding to teach so many children – and adults too – about the sport of biathlon,” Blanke said. “I think having a National Guard presence at these huge ski festivals is a great idea and I believe these young skiers will be, in addition to potential Olympians, high quality Soldiers and Airmen.”

The top National Guard athlete in the 10-kilometer biathlon at Yellowstone was Vermont’s Sgt. Brian Letourneau, who finished seventh. He missed only one target and was tied for the top marksman in the field.

The Guard biathlon program has opportunities and events for every Soldier and Airman in the National Guard, not just elite skiers.

“For newcomers to the sport, we offer regional races that focus on participation and the development of state teams,” Parsons said. Regional races this season include: the West regional in Montana Dec. 9-13; the Midwest regional in Minnesota Jan. 13-17, 2010; and the East regional in Vermont Feb. 3-7. The Chief, National Guard Bureau championships are set for Minnesota Feb. 27 through March 10. Those championships culminate the domestic military biathlon calendar.

Parsons said 35 of the 54 National Guard states and territories annually participate in biathlon.For information on the National Guard biathlon program, contact Parsons at Andrew.F.Parsons@us.army.mil or call (802) 899-7120.