Syracuse.com - Old Forge teen competing in World Biathlon Championships

[HuntingNY-News]

Maddie Phaneuf, of Old Forge, a five-time Section 3 Nordic ski champion, is establishing herself on the national biathlon scene.

Maddie Phaneuf, of Old Forge, a five-time Section 3 Nordic ski champion, is establishing herself on the national biathlon scene.

Maddie Phaneuf was a five-time Section 3 Nordic Ski champion.Submitted photo 

Phaneuf, who graduated from high school last year, is now training in the biathlon program at the Maine Winter Sports Center in Fort Kent, Maine.

She recently made the 13-person team picked to represent this country at the World Youth and Junior Biathlon Championships set for Feb. 28 to March 8 at Presque Isle, Maine.

She will complete in the Youth Women Division. She qualified for the national squad courtesy of her finish in three events (two sprints and a pursuit) at the national trials, which were held at Preque Isle Dec. 28-30. She finished second overall in points, winning the sprint event on the last day.

Her parent, Joe and Janine Phaneuf, were at the national trials.

Her father said she's living at the Maine Winter Sports Center with "four or five other biathlon aspirants her age, trying to move up the (biathlon) ladder.

Is the Winter Olympics in her future?

"She's 18 years old and four years down the road that will be one of her goals, I'm sure," her father said.

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog