Two Rutherford County Sheriff’s Explorers earned top places in several categories during the annual Boy Scouts’ Winterfest competition this past weekend in Gatlinburg.

Capt. Malia Xayachack and Cpl. Patrick Burns placed fourth in the interview and interrogation category.

Winterfest is the largest national event for Explorers to compete in for law enforcement and emergency services.

Explorers competed against other law enforcement posts in the categories of:

• Felony traffic stops.
• Bomb threat response.
• Warrants service.
• Tactical fitness.

The Explorers team placed sixth in warrant service, seventh in bomb threat response and 11th in felony traffic stops.

Photo: Explorers who competed are, from left, front row, advisers Deputy Andy Pugh and Kaitlyn West, and Explorers Iziah Maxwell, Xayachack, Burns, Louann Braunwalder, Arielle Cooper, and advisers Sgt. Monica Fonseca and Deputy Grant Quintal; back row, Sgt. Hannah Gregory, and Explorers Caleb Jones, Evan Myers, Gabereal King and Cpl. Laeken Adams.