Aiming for nationals
Rankin cadets qualify a second time for national marksmanship competition
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Wednesday, April 19, 2017
RANKIN INLET
The marksmanship team of the 3019 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps in Rankin Inlet is heading to the national competition for a second-straight year after qualifying at the regional competition in Gimli, Man., from April 7 to 9.
High tech is everywhere as Cpl. Sakkataaq Zawadski of Rankin Inlet looks to score some big points at the cadet regional marksmanship competition at Gimli, Man. - Photo courtesy of Dorothy Tootoo |
The two top marksmanship teams from every province and the Arctic Region (Nunavut, the NWT and the Yukon) travel to the nationals.
The Arctic Region will be sending a Yellowknife team along with Rankin to the national competition in Gimli from May 8 to 12.
3019's commanding officer, 2nd Lieutenant Dorothy Tootoo, said the Rankin corps is very excited about returning to the national competition.
She said things go to a whole new level at a competition of that quality.
"This is a very, very big deal," said Tootoo.
"It was actually a sea cadet who took first place in Manitoba, which marked the first time a sea cadet has ever reached that level in Manitoba.
"They're now going to the nationals, so we kind of made friends with them because it's a unique thing for them to be going to that competition too.
"So, this whole experience is pretty exciting for them too and our corps in Rankin always likes to cheer for the underdog, so we were watching them as the scores were going up at the regional and they were shooting better and better as the competition went on and the excitement kept rising, so, of course, we got all caught up in that too."
Tootoo said it can be quite the eye-opener when you arrive at the national competition and see the caliber of shooters competing there.
She said it's really something to see how absolutely focused and serious they are.
"These people are really fighting to be the top-placed marksman nationally.
"The experience of just being there kind of leaves us in awe, but to watch people being absolutely that focused brings things to a whole new level.
"Having been there this past year and knowing what to expect should help our cadets focus a little bit more and not be afraid to go in there and just give it their all."
Tootoo said the Rankin cadets were very excited to see Melissa Clark's team from Yellowknife make in back to the nationals this year.
She said the young Clark is a joy to watch in the competition.
"Melissa is a really a great little shooter and you can't help but let yourself just get into everything when it's her turn to shoot.
"There are so many great shooters at the competition, and it's really impressive to see just how good the best marksman in the country's cadet program truly are."
