6/27/2005 - Rifle
Navy Rifle Well-Represented at National Championships

FT. BENNING, Ga. -- Three members of Navy rifle team and its volunteer assistant coach, Eric Uptagrafft, posted strong performances at last week's USA Shooting National Championships. Rising sophomores Joshua Albright (Shelton, Conn.) and Nicholas Hogberg (Stratford, Conn.) both medaled in their respective classifications and both placed in the juniors' division top 10 of the 50-meter prone competition, while Sarah Bergman (Fort Mill, S.C.) was 12th in the women's 10-meter air rifle comptition.

"We really put forth a solid effort, and I was really pleased with how well everyone associated with the Navy rifle program shot," said Navy head coach Bill Kelley. "Everyone gained some great experience and we hope it can carry over into next year."

Meanwhile, Navy volunteer assistant coach Eric Uptagrafft led the Navy contingent with a second-place showing in the 50-meter prone competition and a third-place finish in the 50-meter three-position men's competition. Albright placed 20th in the 50-meter prone event (seventh among juniors) and was 28th (10th among juniors) in the 50-meter three-position event. Hogberg was 24th (eighth among juniors) and 46th (21st among juniors) in the same events. Graduated senior Michael Miller (Albuquerque, N.M.) was 11th and 24th in the same two events.

Bergman placed 12th in the women's 10-meter air rifle competition, just missing a top-10 finish by 3.6 points. Bergman also placed 13th in the women's 50-meter three-position event.

For the first time in decades, the U.S. Navy also fielded a three-person team in the team event. Uptagrafft and Miller were joined by Bill Kelley's son, Josh, and placed third in both the air rifle and prone competitions.

"It was very impressive in that they were going up against several U.S. Army marksmanship units - professional teams, and managed to beat some of them," said Bill Kelley. "It was great that they were able to get some time away and get a team going and then perform the way they did. For Navy shooting, it's a very important accomplishment and could reap some very strong long-term benefits."

In addition to Navy's outstanding performances at the USA Shooting National Championships, the Mids also dominated the field at the Junior NRA Three-Position Smallbore Rifle Indoor National Championships as current Navy rifle team members swept the top three spots. Albright claimed first with a score of 594-39, earning the gold national championship medallion and Molt Trophy Plaque. Hogberg was second at 589-34 and rising sophomore Monica Amagna (Tulsa, Okla.) was third with a 586-35.

# GO NAVY #