Repulse Bay (Feb 19/03) - A group of Repulse Bay cadets have marched their way to glory.

The 3055 RCACC Repulse Bay drill team captured top honours at the 2002 Northern Region Cadet Drill Competition in Yellowknife earlier this month.

Two teams from host Yellowknife also competed at the event, along with squads from Whitehorse and Pond Inlet.

The drill teams were judged on their performance of compulsory and precision drill movements, the ability of their team leader and their overall performance.

The winning Repulse squad was comprised of Capt. Trevor James Kringayark, Cpl. Mary Anne Uttak, Cpl. Nancy Jean Crawford, Pte. Tina Maliki, Pte. Eddie Sivanertuk, cadet Jolene Angontingor and cadet Stanley Kopak.

The team was accompanied by civilian instructor (CI) Randy Kopak.

Corps Commander Leonie Aissaoui says two Repulse drill teams battled it out for the right to go to Yellowknife.

"Cadet Michael Pudalik actually trained the winning team but, because Michael is not a CI, Randy (Kopak) went with them," says Aissaoui.

Repulse has been participating in the drill competition for the past four years.

Aissaoui says the Repulse squad owes its success at the competition to the cadets' love of the drills.

"Our cadets can do drill non-stop. When they're practising in the gym you can here them miles away.

"It's actually quite amazing because when we first started in Repulse the kids were very, very quiet.

"We told them they had to speak up and now they're so loud you can't help but be impressed."

Aissaoui says this is the most active cadets the Repulse corps has ever had in any given year.

"I'm not sure exactly what the reason is, but they're showing up regularly and enjoying themselves and that's what counts."

The Repulse cadets are now focused on preparing for the shooting competition.

Aissaoui says the final team should be selected this week.

"Once we select our final team, we have to send our target to Yellowknife by the end of this month.

"After they receive all the targets, they'll notify everyone of the final scores and the best teams will go out for the regional competition."