Gold at Pan Ams

[pilkguns]

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil - The United States started out the shooting portion of the 2007 Pan-American Games with a bang July 15 by earning four medals in three different disciplines. The competition is taking place at the Deodoro Sports Complex and will run through July 21.

Navy Reserve Petty Officer 2nd Class Sandra Uptagrafft claimed the first piece of hardware for the U.S. Shooting team by snagging a Gold Medal and an Olympic Quota Slot in the Women's 25-Meter Sport Pistol event. However, Uptagrafft is no stranger to the medal stand as she also took home Gold at the 2003 Pan-American Games.

"I was really happy with the results," said Uptagrafft after her victory. "It was a real honor to compete with this great group of athletes.

The United States also had a strong showing in the Men's 10-Meter Air Rifle, by occupying the top two spots on the medal stand.
Sgt. 1st Class Jason A. Parker of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit of Fort Benning, Ga., earned a Gold Medal with a point total of 695.8, while teammate Matt Rawlings took home the Silver Medal with a 694.2 point total.

"Any time you earn a medal for your country, it feels great,"
Parker said with a smile. "We are working hard this year and getting ready for next year."

In the Women's 10-Meter Air Rifle, the United States was represented by Amy Sowash who claimed a Silver Medal behind Cuba's Englis Yaima Cruz Farfan.

July 16 will prove to be another busy day at the shooting range, as finals competition will take place in the Men's 50-Meter Free Pistol, Women's 10-Meter Air Pistol and Men's Trap.

RESULTS:

Women's 25 Meter Pistol: 1. Sandra Uptagrafft, USA, 771.9; 2. Laina Perez Facundo, Cuba, 770.3; 3. Luisa Maida, El Salvador, 769.3.

Men's 10 Meter Air Rifle: 1. Jason Parker, USA, 695.8; 2. Matt Rawlings, USA, 694.2; 3. Roberto Jose Elias Orozco, Mexico, 690.9

Women's 10 Meter Air Rifle: 1. Englis Yaima Cruz Farfan, Cuba, 496.1; 2. Amy Sowash, USA, 494.4; 3. Alix Rocio Moncada Aguirre, Mexico, 493.5

For complete Pan American Games results, see http://www.rio2007.org.br/data/pages/8C ... 1550F77.ht
m.

(Formed in 1956 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower to raise the standards of marksmanship throughout the U.S. Army, the Army Marksmanship Unit is assigned to the Accessions Support Brigade of the U.S. Army Accessions Command. The Marksmanship Unit trains its Soldiers to win competitions and enhances combat readiness through train-the-trainer clinics, research and development. For more information on the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, contact the Public Affairs Office at (706) 545-5436, paula.pagan@usaac.army.mil or http://www.usaac.army.mil/amu/. USA Shooting is recognized by the U.S.
Olympic Committee and the International Shooting Sport Federation as the national governing body for the Olympic and international shooting sports in the United States. For more information on USA Shooting, contact Public Relations Manager Mary Beth Vorwerk at (719) 866-4896, marybeth.vorwerk@usashooting.org or http://www.usashooting.com.)