March 20, 2014 (Oslo, Norway) – US Biathlon’s Susan Dunklee from Barton, VT, took home her career-first podium with a brilliant bronze medal performance in the women’s 7.5km sprint in Oslo today with clean shooting at 33 seconds behind winner Darya Domracheva (BLR) with one penalty and a time of 22:18.8.

Dunklee has been knocking on the door this season and her bronze marks the second individual women’s podium finish in US Biathlon history as Joan Smith from Honeoye Falls, NY) placed second in the same event during the 1994 IBU World Cup season.

Canada’s Rosanna Crawford also had a superb day continuing her strong season with a career-best 11th with one penalty at 1:03.7 behind Domracheva. Her teammate, Zina Kocher, also had a solid day placing 16th with two penalties at 1:13.7 behind.

Dunklee was recently 4th in the 7.5km Sprint in Antholz, Italy in January with perfect shooting, adding to her confidence to claim the first podium of her career. Her teammate Lowell Bailey also marked his first podium in Kontiolahti, Finland earlier this month.

Sara Studebaker (USA) finished 41st at 1:59.1 with 1 penalty, Megan Heinicke (CAN) was 59th with three penalties and Hannah Dreissigacker was 75th at 3:20.1 suffering 5 penalties.

Full sprint results are available here.