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IQALUIT - Only two points separated seven Fort Simpson cadets from gold medals following a competition in Iqaluit.

The cadets from 2860 Royal Canadian Cadet Corps finished second at the Regional Cadet Skills Competition held from Feb. 21 to 22. Warrant Officer Charlene Deneyoua, Master Cpl. Alex Porter, Master Cpl. Brandon Norris, Cpl. Nikita Larter, Cpl. Katelyn Harold, Pte. Alicia Norris and Pte. Diedre Yakinneah represented the Western Arctic Area at the competition.

Seven members of the 2860 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps from Fort Simpson compete in the drill component of the Regional Cadet Skills Competition in Iqaluit. Team members include from left, back row: Master Cpl. Brandon Norris, Pte. Alicia Norris and Cpl. Katelyn Harold; middle row: Master Cpl. Alex Porter, Cpl. Nikita Larter and Pte. Diedre Yakinneah; front row: Warrant Officer Charlene Deneyoua. - photo courtesy of Major Alex Ross

This was the first time a team from the village has advanced to the regional level, said Lieut. Diane Porter, the team's coach.

"They did really well," said Porter.

The Fort Simpson cadets faced teams from Iqaluit and Yellowknife. The three teams competed in four events including marksmanship, drill, volleyball and a leadership task.

The village cadets placed first in both marksmanship as well as the leadership task. The task is a timed competition that requires the team to pull a toboggan filled with gear 100 metres and then set up a five-man Arctic tent, a stove and boil a pot of water.

The team got their tent up and had the water boiling in nine minutes.

"I'd stay in any tent they'd pitch any day," said Porter.

Part of the team's success was thanks to Warrant Officer Charlene Deneyoua who was responsible for leading the group and assigning tasks.

"She gave clear, concise directions and the team really responded to her directions," Porter said.

The team also took time to prepare their tent. By organizing the guy lines and pegs the night before the team saved a lot of time, said Cpl. Nikita Larter.

Knowing that you're being timed and that every minute counts also gives the team an incentive, said Cpl. Katelyn Harold.

"It's this big adrenaline rush that makes you want to get it done," said Harold.

After two first place finishes the Fort Simpson cadets placed third in both volleyball in drill. Both Iqaluit and Yellowknife were really strong in those areas, said Harold.

Although the teams were competing against each other everyone took time to support and cheer each other on, said Larter.

After all four events were finished Fort Simpson had 12 points, two fewer than the team from Yellowknife who won the competition.

Although the team would have liked to be first, second place was OK too, Larter said. Both cadets agreed that the competition is an event they'll remember for a long time.

"It was an experience of a lifetime," Larter said.

Three members of the team are now attending a different competition. Master Cpl. Brandon Norris, Pte. Alicia Norris and Warrant Officer Charlene Deneyoua are part of the six member Northern Region Cadet Biathlon team competing in the National Cadet Biathlon Competition in Valcartier, Que., this week.