Junior National Team Selection Criteria

Based at Regional Centers/ Clubs

As a training camp based team, the purpose of the Junior National Team is to foster effective training environments and coaching relationships that support the continued development of our top-performing Junior and Youth athletes.

Biathletes named to this team have demonstrated internationally competitive biathlon performances and/or Nationally competitive ski speed. Athletes will automatically qualify for this team via the following criteria, as long as they will be in the Y/Jr age class for the coming season.

Selection Criteria

1. Top half of finish in any race (excluding relays) at YJWCH. This will be calculated from race finishers, not race starters, and will be rounded down when necessary. For example, if there are 81 finishers in a race, then a top 40 result will qualify you for the Junior National Team.
2. Top half finish in any race (excluding relays) at JOECH. This will be calculated as noted in point 1.
3. Top third finish at any Jr. IBU Cup. This will be calculated as noted in point 1. For example, if there are 100 finishers in a race, then a top 33 result will qualify you for the Junior National Team.
4. Any Y/Jr athlete that qualifies for any Sr. IBU Cup or World Cup

Additional athletes may be named to the Junior National Team via discretion. When considering athletes for discretionary selection, the USBA principles of discretion will apply as well as these factors:

1. Internationally competitive ski speed in biathlon, such as top 20 course times at JYWCH.
2. Nationally competitive ski speed in cross country, such as top 15 distance results at
3. Junior or Youth athletes with exceptional results at US Biathlon National Championship.

If extra space is available at training camps before US Summer National Championships, additional athletes may be invited to participate based on their best performance at Junior & Youth World Championships, Junior IBU Cups, JOECH, and US Nationals.

After Summer Nationals, extra camp space may be filled by staff recommendations and US Biathlon International Competition Committee approval based on the events listed above and Summer Nationals.