INUVIK - Inuvik won't have to worry about being excluded from the Arctic Winter Games next month in Grande Prairie, Alta.

Several hometown athletes defeated the competition at the Arctic Winter Games territorial trials held in Yellowknife, from Jan. 28 to 31.

These four Inuvik athletes were still elated after arriving at the Inuvik Airport on Sunday. They were returning from Yellowknife, where they took part in the Dene Games qualifiers as part of the Arctic Winter Games Territorial trials. From left, Alecia Lennie, Kandace Sittichinli, Serena Wright (coach) and Katelyn Storr. - Andrew Rankin/NNSL photos

Kandace Sittichinli, 17, earned the right to represent Inuvik and NWT with an exceptional performance at the Dene Games qualifiers.

The athletic teenager was competing against 13 other girls in the 16-and-up age category and came away with a second place finish in three of the traditional events, including snow snake, finger pull and stick pull. It was her first time competing.

"I didn't expect to make it," she said. "I just fluked out, maybe."

Fellow athletes Alecia Lennie and Katelyn Storr also tried out. Coach Serena Wright also made the trip and had nothing but praise for the effort the girls put into the qualifying events.

Sittichinli said she'll be gunning for gold in Grande Prairie.

The Games will be held from March 6 to 13, and will feature 18 different sports.

Brent Larocque made the junior male cross-country ski team.

Corey Baetz was among three others, including Lucas Lemieux, James Day Jr. and Sean Alldridge who were picked from Inuvik to play on team NWT's midget hockey team.

Having been cut as a bantam player, Baetz showed up this time a little more mature and a whole lot more relaxed.

"I didn't have any nerves at all," said the centreman. "It was tough, fast hockey with lots of intensity. I was a little surprised I made it."

Baetz is also hoping the boys will get enough wins to finish in the top three.

Sydney Dunlop, 15, was the lone Inuvik athlete named to the NWT female hockey team. She admitted she arrived in Yellowknife not knowing what to expect, but she was able to crack the 17 person roster out of 23 hopefuls.

"There's not many girl hockey players able to represent Inuvik," she said. "I hope this shows that we can do well."

For speed skater Cullen McLeod, it will be the second time he's represented the territory at the Winter Games. In 2008 his team won gold in the relay event. He was ranked top 10 in his age category then. Now he's ranked top five as a juvenile. Fellow Inuvikmiut Roald Langford made the juvenile squad too. They were among only four to be chosen from 16 skaters.

His brother Connor also qualified for the Games in the junior boys speed skating division.

Cullen's hoping to bring home some medals. Even if he doesn't that's OK, he said, but he'll be prepared.

"I'll do my best, I'll keep practising," he said. "I'll try to eat healthy and keep fit."