Sandra Uptagrafft. A former National Guardsman, the 41-year-old Singapore-native became a member of the National All-Guard International Pistol Team in 1992 and then was recruited to active service as a shooter/small arms instructor at the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit from 1992-95. Her husband, Eric, who is also a competitive shooter is also participating in this year’s Olympics
Today’s Results at end.
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As the only woman in the U.S. Military Olympians Team, Navy Reservist Sandra Uptagrafft will be proudly representing military women, the Navy and the U.S. tomorrow, Sunday, in the women’s 10-meter air pistol event and, on August 1, in the women’s 25-meter Sport Pistol event.
An Information System’s Technician 1st Class Petty Officer from the Navy Operational Support Center Columbus, Ga., Uptagrafft earned her spot on the 2012 Olympic Team by winning the USA Shooting National Championship in the women’s 25-meter pistol shoot, June 5. Later, she also won a spot in the women’s 10-meter air pistol event.
As an information systems technician, Uptagrafft has not received applicable weapons training in the Navy that aided her in making the team. She does give credit to her assigned unit, 3rd Naval Construction Regiment, with whom she made a nine-month deployment to Kandahar, Afghanistan from 2010-2011, with being a true enabler.
“They have been super supportive of me and my shooting,” she said. “I’ve received moral support and they were always just really encouraging.”
Uptagrafft’s husband Eric, a former Navy Reservist, is a member of the men’s 2012 U.S. Olympic shooting team and the two will celebrate their 12th anniversary during the summer games in London August 5.
We wish them both luck.
Photo : U.S. Navy
Today’s (July 29) Results:
Sandra Uptagrafft finished 28th with a score of 378 in the women’s 10-meter air pistol event at the Royal Artillery Barracks today.
Navy Reserve Petty Officer 1st Class Sandra Uptagrafft pauses to collect herself while competing in the women’s 10-meter air pistol event at the 2012 Summer Olympics at London’s Royal Artillery Barracks, July 29, 2012. U.S. Army photo by Michael Molinaro
The American Forces Press Service by Michael Molinaro:
First-time Olympic jitters, common to many shooters who toe the line for the first time on the world’s grandest stage, led to a result that was not in [Uptagrafft’s] game plan.
“Once I hit the match button, it hit me that I am at the Olympic Games, and it kind of took me out of my rhythm,” Sandra said. “It took me a while to settle down and refocus. That’s what I was able to do my last two strings. It’s really disappointing, because I knew going into the match that this would happen.”
China’s Wenjen Guo won the gold medal with a total score of 488.1 points. France’s Celine Goberville (486.6) claimed the silver. Ukraine’s Olena Kostevych (486.6) took the bronze.
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With one event completed, Sandra is ready to compete again Aug. 1 in the women’s 25-meter sport pistol event.
“I definitely had a learning experience here, and I am hoping to take what I learned in this match and take it into my next one,” she said. “Hopefully, this got the jitters out of the way, and if I can execute my shot plan, I hope to find myself in the finals.”
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The author is a retired U.S. Air Force officer and a writer.