CAMP RIPLEY, Minn. - The North Dakota National Guard Biathlon Team won first place in a 22.5 kilometer relay at the national competition hosted by Camp Ripley, Minn., this weekend. The team improved their time by seven minutes from previous relays.
To complete a circuit of a biathlon relay, each team member must ski a 7.5 kilometer loop then attempt to shoot five 50 meter targets, with a rifle, from the prone position using eight rounds. Any targets missed require the competitor to do a penalty lap. They must then race another 7.5 kilometer loop to arrive back at the shooting range for five more targets, this time while standing. After they finish firing, they must do one final loop then tag the next team member to begin their circuit.
The NDNG team was involved in four events this weekend, two individual 20 kilometer and two 22.5 kilometer relay races, and won all of them. In the individual race Sgt. Blake Hillerson, Fargo, took first place; Capt. Eric Nodgren, Duluth, Minn., took 7th; Sgt. 1st Class Kent Pulst, Devils Lake, took 9th; and Spc. Brandon Pulst, Grand Forks, took 15th place.
"This is by far the best North Dakota has ever done," said team coach Spc. Jordan Becker, Devils Lake. "To sweep the whole event was really incredible."
The NDNG's win at the competition was fueled partially by their prior success this year when they placed first at the regional competition. "It inspired the team to work harder and push harder," said Becker.
"I thought we did great," said Hillerson, who will be travelling to Italy soon to compete against over twenty other countries in the World Military Championship. "Eric and Kent have made great strides which propelled the team at the championship."
"I'm really excited," said Hillerson, who will be training until the competition. "It's a great opportunity."
"I think they did a wonderful job," said Maj. Gen. Dave Sprynczynatyk, adjutant general of the North Dakota National Guard, who attended the event. "It was fun to watch them ski and shoot so well, and blow away the competition."
"It was great that our soldiers and airmen could compete in an event that combines physical fitness and competitive shooting," said Sprynczynatyk. He said that if anyone is interested in trying the sport, equipment will be provided and opportunities will be made for them to become a part of the team.
"Only five people participated and it would be wonderful to have 12 or 15," said Sprynczynatyk. "We would certainly give soldiers and airmen the opportunity to do so."
"I think what they're doing, how they're doing it, their physical ability, their marksmanship and their dedication is stupendous, and I think more people should participate," said Command Sgt. Maj. Gerald Miller, who also attended the event.
Miller said all soldiers and airmen who enjoy marksmanship and fitness would enjoy competing in biathlons.
"It's a sport that transcends ages where the youngest competitors are 23 and the oldest are over 50," said Miller.
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CAMP RIPLEY, Minn. - The North Dakota National Guard Biathlon Team won first place in a 22.5 kilometer relay at the national competition hosted by Camp Ripley, Minn., this weekend. The team improved their time by seven minutes from previous relays.
To complete a circuit of a biathlon relay, each team member must ski a 7.5 kilometer loop then attempt to shoot five 50 meter targets, with a rifle, from the prone position using eight rounds. Any targets missed require the competitor to do a penalty lap. They must then race another 7.5 kilometer loop to arrive back at the shooting range for five more targets, this time while standing. After they finish firing, they must do one final loop then tag the next team member to begin their circuit.
The NDNG team was involved in four events this weekend, two individual 20 kilometer and two 22.5 kilometer relay races, and won all of them. In the individual race Sgt. Blake Hillerson, Fargo, took first place; Capt. Eric Nodgren, Duluth, Minn., took 7th; Sgt. 1st Class Kent Pulst, Devils Lake, took 9th; and Spc. Brandon Pulst, Grand Forks, took 15th place.
"This is by far the best North Dakota has ever done," said team coach Spc. Jordan Becker, Devils Lake. "To sweep the whole event was really incredible."
The NDNG's win at the competition was fueled partially by their prior success this year when they placed first at the regional competition. "It inspired the team to work harder and push harder," said Becker.
"I thought we did great," said Hillerson, who will be travelling to Italy soon to compete against over twenty other countries in the World Military Championship. "Eric and Kent have made great strides which propelled the team at the championship."
"I'm really excited," said Hillerson, who will be training until the competition. "It's a great opportunity."
"I think they did a wonderful job," said Maj. Gen. Dave Sprynczynatyk, adjutant general of the North Dakota National Guard, who attended the event. "It was fun to watch them ski and shoot so well, and blow away the competition."
"It was great that our soldiers and airmen could compete in an event that combines physical fitness and competitive shooting," said Sprynczynatyk. He said that if anyone is interested in trying the sport, equipment will be provided and opportunities will be made for them to become a part of the team.
"Only five people participated and it would be wonderful to have 12 or 15," said Sprynczynatyk. "We would certainly give soldiers and airmen the opportunity to do so."
"I think what they're doing, how they're doing it, their physical ability, their marksmanship and their dedication is stupendous, and I think more people should participate," said Command Sgt. Maj. Gerald Miller, who also attended the event.
Miller said all soldiers and airmen who enjoy marksmanship and fitness would enjoy competing in biathlons.
"It's a sport that transcends ages where the youngest competitors are 23 and the oldest are over 50," said Miller.
