Lilly Markwart is one of several local cadets headed to Quebec. (submitted photo/Chief Warrant Officer Shelby Proznick)

By Derek Cornet

air cadets

La Ronge biathletes heading to national competition in Quebec

Feb 24, 2020 | 4:40 PM

Flight Sergent Lilly Markwart will be travelling to Quebec next month with others from La Ronge for the National Cadet Biathlon Championships.

She secured her spot to represent Team Saskatchewan at the competition after being named the top female biathlete earlier this month at the 2020 Stage III Provincial Cadet Biathlon Championships at Camp Saskadet in Kelvington. She will be going with other members of the 889 Osprey Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron including Kees Carriere, Zackary Halland, Owen Markwart and Reay McKay.

“I’m so excited and so proud that the La Ronge biathletes make up half of our provincial team going to nationals,” Markwart said. “That’s just outstanding and it’s so awesome we had so many people go to nationals this year.”

The biathlon Markwart participates in combines marksmanship and cross-country skiing. Those competing need to ski for one kilometre and then shoot five markers. They then repeat this one more time before skiing for one final kilometre to the finish line.

Markwart was amongst 54 cadets from across Saskatchewan competing at Camp Saskadet testing their fitness, teamwork, and marksmanship skills over two days of racing. Cadets competed in three categories based on age during the two-day competition. Overall, 10 cadets were selected to represent Saskatchewan at the National Cadet Biathlon Championship

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“I like being in cadets because you get to be part of the community,” Markwart, who is 17 and has been in biathlon for six years, said. “It’s such a good organization and it gives so many opportunities for young adults like the biathlon. Not a lot of people get the chance to travel and do stuff like this. I love it.”

The Cadet Program aims to develop in youth ages 12-18 the attributes of good citizenship and leadership, promote physical fitness and stimulate the interest of youth in sea, land and air activities of the Canadian Armed Forces.

Local reservist, Lt. Scott Boyes of La Ronge, will be coaching Team Saskatchewan this year at the national championship.

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno