Five Yukoners are heading to this year's National Cadet Marksmanship Championships after taking part in a regional competition Sunday at the Canada Games Centre.

Whitehorse army cadets Dawson Hallonquist, Mitchell Shepard-Whip and Nathan Brown, along with Whitehorse Lions air cadets Amy Green and Courtney Kailek were selected to represent the three territories for May's nationals in Charlottetown.

The regional competition was open to all cadet units in the three territories. Out of the 16 eligible units, 14 participated. Each team had five members, plus a coach.

Whitehorse, placed in the Western Arctic Area, and placed third in the air cadets division and scored second in the army cadets.

Out of a possible 1,600 points, Whitehorse's air cadets scored 1,236, while the Yukon capital's army group finished with 1,313 points (also out 1,600).

Each participant had a total of 40 shots and 30 minutest to complete each relay. Shots were fired from a 10-metre distance.

Marksmanship is an integral component in the cadet program. Members in the program believe it not only teaches cadets accuracy, but also self-discipline, builds confidence and allows cadets to compete equally in a recreational sport that is gender neutral.

Cadets use the Daisy 853 C air rifle, firing a .177 caliber pellet.

For Bud Rhyndress, championship director, this past weekends field was the most talented group he has ever seen in the North.

"The calibre of shooting is the highest I have ever seen it," he said. "I have been running the marksmanship competitions in the north here since 1986 and I have never seen a better quality of shooters.

"The ones that we have selected to go (to nationals) stand a pretty good chance. I am not saying they are going to come in first place, but they are going to do well."

This was the first time the Canada Games Centre has hosted a cadet regional marksmanship competition.

Rhyndress said the plan is for Whitehorse to host the nationals in 2011, adding the Canada Games Centre provided an excellent venue this past weekend.

"It went really well and we are looking forward to hosting the national championship," said Captain Cheryl Major.