Tough Day for UNH Grad Clare Egan in 15km Women’s Biathlon

It was a hard day of competition for UNH graduate Clare Egan in the Women’s 15km individual early Monday at the Winter Olympics in China.

Egan missed three targets, which added three minutes to her time and contributed to a 39th place finish. Fellow Team USA member Deedra Irwin finished in 7th, Joanne Reid finished 57th, and Susan Dunklee 63rd in the field of 89.

The 15K individual was the Cape Elizabeth native's second biathlon event. The U.S. women's biathlon team finished seventh in the mixed relay on Saturday.

Biathlon Medal is Elusive for Team USA

The United States has never won a medal in biathlon since it became an Olympic event in 1960.

Biathalon is an event that combines cross-country skiing with target shooting with a rifle. There are six biathalon events that athletes can compete in during the games. Egan told UNH Athletics Insider Report that her goal was to compete in them all.

Egan, 34, earned her masters in linguistics from UNH in 2011 while she competed in Division I cross-country, track, and Nordic skiing. She is a member of the Cape Elizabeth High School Class of 2006.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com or via Twitter @DanAlexanderNH