National Guard: Steppingstone to Success

From its origins with U.S. Biathlon in 1958 at Fort Richardson, Alaska, the partnership with the National Guard has been a vital tool in the success of the sport in America. Today, many core athletes on the U.S. Biathlon Team – men and women – are supported by the National Guard. In this episode, Heartbeat explores the longstanding National Guard partnership with Sergeant First Class Quenten Jones, who administers the program, and longtime national team member turned coach, Warrant Officer Leif Nordgren.

Nordgren, who retired in 2022 after competing in three Olympics and nine World Championships, has taken over as coach from longtime leader Travis Boyer. Now a Blackhawk helicopter pilot in the Vermont National Guard, Nordgren makes his home in Vermont working out of the National Guard training base in Jericho.

In the early years of his career, Nordgren had looked at the National Guard program but opted to stick with the national team. But after his second Olympics in 2018, he revisited the opportunity to join the program for his final Olympic cycle. It was a productive program for him, not only as an athlete but in setting him up on a career path in the Guard, including a role with the sport he loves.

Jone and Nordgren dive into insights on the National Guard program with U.S. Biathlon, including the World Class Athlete Program (WCAP). They talk about the national team athlete support, but also the opportunities for biathletes nationwide. They also speak to the training center at Jericho, which has long partnered with regional club programs, and some of the upgrades in planned renovations.

It’s an especially deep look into the impact on athletes from Nordgren, who has the benefit of experiencing the national team program, four years of National Guard support, and how his own experience as a coach.

Nordgren, who appeared as a guest twice previously on Heartbeat, also takes advantage of the opportunity to talk about his new passion for flying Blackhawk helicopters.

An underlying principle both Nordgren and Jones feel deeply in their heart is pride of their country, and of their engagement with the National Guard.

Listen in now as Leif Nordgren and Quenten Jones take us inside the relationship between the National Guard and U.S. Biathlon on Heartbeat.

Past Episodes

Leif Nordgren: A Distinguished Career - May 6, 2022

Leif Nordgren: A Family Affair - Jan. 29, 2021

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