Report from Biathlon Junior Nationals - Day 2

Tue, Jan  2, 2007 - By US Biathlon Team

Coleraine, MN, Dec. 30 – Questions were asked all around yesterday as to why Hilary McNamee didn’t race. Not able to start yesterday because of food poisoning, the 16 year old from Ft. Fairfield, ME stormed back treating the crowd with a come from behind win in the Youth Women’s race. Starting in the order of finish from yesterday, McNamee started last, but with only 5 seconds between each starter creating a tight race. After 4 penalties in the first prone, McNamee missed only 3 of the final 15 shots winning by a margin of 1 minute 6 seconds over Kalie Mix of Grand Rapids, MN. Rounding out the top three was Janna Widness of Anchorage, AK with 9 penalties.

In the most tightly contested race of the day, it came down to two training partners fighting for the top spot. Wynn Roberts of Battle Lake, MN started first on the day and Justin Tyner of Baxter, MN started 4th. Roberts held the edge missing just 5 of his 20 shots while Tyner missed 7 of 20, 3 of which came in his 3rd stage. Skiing together on the final loop, Tyner overtook Roberts on the final downhill and never let go of the lead winning by 22 seconds. Moving up from 5th place was Ethan Dreissigacker of Morrisville, VT who hit 16 of his 20 shots and finished just 32 seconds behind Tyner.

Laura Spector of Hanover, NH won with just 5 penalties with strong skiing by 1 minute 7 seconds. Finishing 2nd was Ellen Anderson of Ely, MN also with 5 penalties. Rounding out the top 3 was Meagan Toussaint of Madawaska, ME. Toussaint usually a sharp shooter struggled hitting just 10 of her 20 shots. Yesterday’s winner, Brynden Manbeck of Grand Rapids, MN did not race today.

Mark Johnson of Grand Rapids, MN led the Jr. Men out of the start gate and built his lead winning by a margin of 2 minutes 47 seconds. Johnson shot smoothly hitting 16 of his 20 shots. Finishing 2nd was Brandan Ostroot of Caribou, ME who hit 15 of his 20 shots. Russell Currier of Stockholm, ME struggled hitting just 2 of his first 10 shots, but maintained a strong focus and hit 7 of his last 10 shots.

Tomorrow will conclude with the Mass Start Relay Format competition. The U.S. Jr. World Championship Team will be announced tomorrow afternoon.

For Complete Results - visit: Minnesotabiathlon.com

Gary Colliander Biathlon Coach