Local cadet earns silver during this past weekend's biathlon (8 photos)

ABRIDGED NEWS RELEASE
2310 ARMY CADET LEAGUE
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Winning the silver medal was a highlight for local biathlete Kaylee Marcil during this past weekend’s Regional Cadet Biathlon which saw the top 140 Sea, Army and Air cadets aged 12 to 18 years of age from across Ontario competing here in the Sault.

Kaylee, a member of the 2310 Army Cadets Biathlon Team, earned the silver medal in Sunday’s Youth Woman’s 7.5 Km race which saw the biathletes enter the range four times – twice in the prone position and twice standing. Kaylee shot clean one of her two standing range bouts on Sunday’s race. Each missed target meant a penalty loop of 100 meters. Her total over all time was 38 seconds from earning a gold medal.

Cassandra Breckenridge also of the 2310 Army Cadets skied in Saturday’s Open Female 2 x 4.5 Km relay race with teammate Kaylee Marcil where they finished a close fourth that saw them each enter the range twice firing in the prone position. The combined ski times from Saturday’s and Sunday race became an aggregate score which determined the cadets who would advice to the next stage. Cassandra’s overall aggregate score placed her fourth in an age group of older females, while Kaylee had a second place spot just missing a Team Ontario spot.

Seth Mason and Simon Beckett, each members of the 2310 Biathlon Team, skied in Saturday’s Open Male relay race coming just short of the top three finishers. In Sunday’s 8.5 Km race, Mason and Beckett entered the range twice to shoot prone and twice to shoot standing. There overall aggregate score for the two days of racing saw them placing well in the male groups that they raced against in at the races held at the Algoma Rod and Gun Club.

Member of Parliament Terry Sheehan toured the range and finish line for Saturday’s relay race. He also had in hand several Parliamentary Recognitions that were presented to several volunteers and three staff cadets who distinguished themselves while assisting in support roles during the weekend’s races.

Member of Provincial Parliament Ross Romano visited the races on Sunday with his three sons, Jackson, Jayden, and Jarret along with his constituency office manager. Ward One City of Sault Ste Marie Councillor Paul Christian also viewed Sunday’s mass start and the biathletes competing.

The top male and female 140 athletes are aged 12 to 18 years of age and represented their communities from across Ontario when they competed here for the Regional Cadet Biathlon. They all had their sights set to participate in this Olympic-style competition which consists of athlete’s cross-country skiing 1-2 km loops through the challenging terrain of Sault Ste. Marie and shooting .22-calibre rifles at falling-plate targets in the range stadium.

The best combined skiing time and shooting scores will determine who make up Team Ontario and who will advance to the fourth stage of the Canadian Cadet Organization National Cadet Biathlon held in Brookvale, P.E.I., March 7 to 11.

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