An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | Jan. 10, 2022

Vermont National Guard Soldiers make Olympic Biathlon Team

By Marcus Tracy Joint Force Headquarters - Vermont National Guard Public Affairs

JERICHO, Vt. - Three Vermont National Guard biathletes will compete in the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing as part of the U.S. Biathlon Team, with an additional member named the men’s alternate.

The U.S. Biathlon Association’s International Competition Committee finalized roster selections following the results of the recent International Biathlon Union Cup races in Brezno-Orsblie, Slovakia.

“I couldn’t be more proud,” said Maj. Kevin Elmer, National Guard Biathlon coordinator. “I know all of the work and dedication our athletes and coaches put in every day, and now they will get to represent their country at the pinnacle of athletic competition.”

The Vermont National Guard sends experienced Olympians Spc. Sean Doherty and Spc. Leif Nordgren for the men’s team as well as Spc. Deedra Irwin, who will make her first Olympic appearance. Spc. Vaclav Cervenka will serve as men’s alternate to make his Olympic debut if needed.

“It’s still sort of surreal,” said an excited Irwin. “You dream about something and chase it with everything you’ve got and now to be able to compete in the Olympics, I am just so honored and I can’t wait to compete in Beijing.”

Now named to Team U.S.A., the National Guard Biathletes will continue to compete in IBU World Cup races when not participating in high altitude training in preparation for Olympic competition.

Biathlon training involves cross-country skiing between rifle ranges. Participants engage targets at 50 meters at each range. The exercises help Soldiers shoot accurately after moving quickly across snow-covered terrain, in the case of Camp Ethan Allen Training Site in Jericho, mountainous terrain.

The Vermont National Guard biathletes serve with a variety of units within the Vermont Army National Guard’s Garrison Support Command. Doherty and Cervenka both serve as 12W carpentry and masonry specialists with Detachment 1, Headquarters and Headquarters Company. Nordgren, a 15P aviation operations specialist, plans to pursue flight school and earn his commission as a pilot following Olympic competition. Irwin, a 42A human resource specialist, serves with 86th Troop Command.

 

 

Related Articles
Michigan National Guard Biathlon Team members compete at the Chief National Guard Bureau Biathlon Competition, held this year at the Mount Itasca Winter Sports Center in Coleraine, Minn., from Feb. 28-March 5, 2025.  The annual competition is held in one of three host states, Minnesota, Utah and Vermont, and is open to National Guard members in all 54 states and territories.
Michigan Guard Team Competes at Biathlon Championship
By 2nd Lt. Paige Bodine, | March 20, 2025
LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan National Guard Biathlon Team competed at the Chief National Guard Bureau Biathlon Championship at Mount Itasca, Minnesota, from Feb. 28-March 5. The annual event brings together top competitors...

A fighter pilot assigned to the 158th Fighter Wing climbs into the cockpit of an F-35A Lightning II aircraft at the Vermont Air National Guard Base, South Burlington, Vermont, Jan. 6, 2025. More than 200 Vermont Air National Guard Airmen, equipment and F-35A Lighting II aircraft recently deployed to Kadena Air Base, Japan, as part of a planned rotation to enhance regional security and strengthen interoperability with joint and allied forces.
Vermont Air National Guard Deploys to Japan
By Lt. Col. Meghan Smith, | Jan. 13, 2025
SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. – More than 200 Vermont Air National Guard Airmen, equipment and F-35A Lighting II aircraft recently deployed to Kadena Air Base, Japan, as part of a planned rotation to enhance regional security and...

U.S. Air Force Col. Jeffrey Cannet, 106th Rescue Wing commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Edward Rittberg, 106th command chief, receive a plaque from Swedish Lt. Col. Sebastien Blixte, a Swedish Air Force Ranger and chief of operations for Blekinge Wing, Sweden, at Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base, Westhampton Beach, N.Y., Nov. 19, 2024. It was the initial key leader engagement for State Partnership Program partners Sweden and the New York National Guard.
Sweden Makes State Partnership Visit to 106th Rescue Wing
By Senior Airman Sarah McKernan, | Nov. 22, 2024
WESTHAMPTON BEACH, N.Y. - Ten members of the Swedish Air Force visited the New York Air National Guard’s 106th Rescue Wing at Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base as part of the State Partnership Program Nov. 17-20.The...