Photo By Staff Sgt. Alyson Pelletier | Maine Army National Guard Biathlete shoots in the prone position during the first...... read more read more
Eight members of the Maine National Guard Biathlon team snapped on their boots and headed out into the snowy, nine-degree weather. They put their .22 caliber Anschutz Biathlon Long Rifles on their back and went to the range to zero their weapons for the 2017 East Region National Guard Competition.
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Christopher Wade helped coach the competitors this year.
“The team is looking really good,” said Wade, before the start of the final race. “We’ve been shooting well all week, they've got a fresh coat of wax on their skis and should be skiing fast.”
This year’s East Region National Guard Biathlon Competition is comprised of Air and Army Guard members from Vermont, Maine, Kentucky, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and New York. The biathlon is one of many ways for the service members to interact with other service members around the country.
This is Sgt. 1st Class Jennifer Macgillvary’s fourth biathlon season with the team. As the full-time executive assistant for the Maine Army National Guard Command Staff, and a mother, Macgillvary already has a lot on her plate, but she keeps coming back year after year.
“You’re getting to work with other military members from different places, different states in this instance,” she said. “If you’re fortunate enough to make the National Guard Bureau biathlon team, the All Guard team, you could have opportunities to travel outside of state…and that would be fun.” She would know. Last year, Macgillvary earned a spot on the All Guard Biathlon team.
Not only is the Biathlon team a good opportunity for networking, but it is one way to stay fit during the winter. Sgt. Jhustin Welch, a survey team member with the 11th Civil Support Team- Weapons of Mass Destruction, stayed fit last year so he could perform his best in the Best Warrior competition, and this year he decided to try something new, cross-country skiing with the biathlon team.
“We’ve had a great week. It’s been a pretty fun first experience for me. They seem to enjoy what they do,” said Welch of his first year with the team. “I signed up just to keep myself busy in the winter, and it looked like a pretty interesting sport from what I’ve seen on TV. “
After the team zeroed their weapons, they went inside to warm up before race time. They checked their watches frequently not wanting to be late for the start line. The competitors have staggered start times so they don’t clog the track.
Finally, the time comes. The first racers geared up and headed to the start line. Some moved their feet anxiously in line waiting their turn. Others breathed deeply while the official counted down to their start.
“Once you start, the adrenaline rush starts to kick in and you want to do the best you can,” said Welch.
The next couple hours were filled with sweat and panting. Spectators cheered on the competitors throughout the course. On the up-hills some competitors bent over to stop and catch their breath. Even veteran Macgillvary said the hills still leave her winded.
“I think about the next part of the course,” she said, “I remind myself there are down-hills to recover on after the steeper hills.”
Eventually one by one the competitors crossed the finish line. Macgillvary finished second overall in her category. Newcomer Welch was the last of the Maine team to cross the finish line, but still did well overall.
“For the novice category I placed third in both events,” he said. “I would say that I met my expectations for my first time out. I was able to get out there and see what it takes to compete.”
Welch said he still has some things to work on before Nationals, but until then he will keep up with practice, enjoying the experience and the fun with his teammates.
| Date Taken: | 02.11.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 02.15.2017 20:49 |
| Story ID: | 223709 |
| Location: | JERICHO, VT, US |
| Web Views: | 100 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Fun While Freezing, by SSG Alyson Pelletier, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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