Pulaski native qualifies for Winter Olympics in biathlon

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Staff Sgt. Deedra Irwin, a U.S. Army soldier and Pulaski native, has qualified to compete with Team USA in biathlon at the Winter Olympics next month.

Irwin joined us on Tuesday, Jan. 27 to chat about her accomplishment.

This is Irwin's second Olympic appearance. She placed seventh at the 2022 Games, the highest-ever placement for an American athlete in biathlon.

Irwin is a soldier-athlete with the World Class Athlete Program, serving in the Vermont National Guard. She grew up in Pulaski as a competitive track runner before walking onto the Nordic skiing team at Michigan Technological University. She discovered biathlon, which combines Nordic skiing and precision rifle shooting, after facing injuries.