Shooters take aim in Big Pine Gun Club’s fourth annual youth biathlon

WILLIMANTIC — On Saturday, March 10 the Big Pine Gun Club hosted its fourth annual youth biathlon competition. To enter the biathlon, each participant had to have passed a rifle safety course. The competitors were separated into classes based on their National Rifle Association proficiency levels achieved while taking part in Big Pine’s light rifle program.

Each bout of the biathlon, consisted of a half mile course followed by the shooting of five targets from a prone position and then five targets standing. Each contestant ran four bouts, receiving his total time upon finishing the last one. Every miss on the firing line added a minute and a half to each athlete’s total time.

The event winners were Marksman, Lee Belote; Marksman First Class, Jacob Reed; Sharpshooter, David Armstrong; and Expert, JC Armstrong. Big Pine Gun Club members would like to thank all the volunteers who turned out to help make the event a fun day for everyone involved.

The Big Pine Gun Club is trying to grow its youth programming. Currently, the club offers .22 rifle shooting in the winter, skeet shooting in the spring and summer, and the biathlon. Anyone with children ages 10-18 interested in these programs should check out the gun club’s website at www.bigpinegunclub.org for names and numbers to call.

Contributed photo
BIG PINE GUN CLUB YOUTH BIATHLON — Competitors taking part in the Big Pine Gun Club’s fourth annual youth biathlon on March 10 in Willimantic are, from left, David Armstrong, Lee Belote, Jacob Reed, JC Armstrong and Adam Bagley.

Contributed photo
MARKSMAN WINNER — Lee Belote, left, is congratulated by John Armstrong for earning the top marksman honors at the Big Pine Gun Club’s youth biathlon.

Contributed photo
FINE SHOOTING — Adam Bagley, left, is congratulated by John Armstrong for his performance in the Big Pine Gun Club’s youth biathlon.