The 186 Air Cadets Lloydminster Squadron marksmanship Team 2 made some noise at a recent provincial competition in Edmonton.
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Cpl. Cody Baker, LAC Clark Hughes, Sgt. Ethan Samarin, Flight Sgt. Elijah Belanger and Flight Cpl. Wyatt Moffatt bussed to CFB Edmonton last weekend for two days of prone and standing competition. Overall, the team finished 11th of the 18 teams.
Moffatt, however, placed third in individual overall standings.
Civilian instructor, Gordon Stefanuk, explained this year’s competition saw vast improvements over last year, especially for Moffatt.
“He got a bronze medal for individual overall standings. Quite an accomplishment for him. The team did very well and worked well together,” said Stefanuk, noting a few lessons he hoped the cadets learned.
“Focus, the basics of shooting, and it’s great for them to see what the other competitors are doing during competition,” said Stefanuk. “Seeing the other competitors is a big thing.”
Samarin, Belanger and Moffatt have been shooting together for roughly two years. Baker and Hughes, however, are both first-year shooters with bright futures on the range.
“It was much more fun than we thought it was going to be, and the accommodations were very nice,” said Baker.
“It was a nice facility, and I had lots of fun,” echoed Hughes.
Samarin explained personal and team scores improved this year, his prone scores, however, could use some work.
“I made a few mistakes because of breathing patterns. It could have been better, but I’m happy with the score,” he said.
Belanger explained the competition was very tight this year.
“We usually shoot better than we do at home because of how tight the competition is. You see others shooting well and it motivates you.”
Despite taking home a bronze medal, Moffatt gave props to his teammates for a job well done.
“I really enjoyed it. I had a blast and made a lot of friends,” said Moffatt. “Like the others said, the facility was wonderful, and as Samarin said, all our scores have improved significantly. I’d say I’ve improved a lot as well.”
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