A Navy reservist has earned a spot in the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, after coming up victorious in a national championship.

The achievement of Information Systems Technician 1st Class Sandra Uptagrafft, a Reservist from Navy Operational Support Center Columbus, in Georgia. Uptagrafft won the USA Shooting National Championship, held in Fort Benning, in the women’s 25-meter pistol shoot on June 5. Her victory earned her a spot in the 2012 U.S. Olympic shooting team.

Despite being with the United States Navy, Uptagrafft’s role as information systems technician meant that she does not get weapons training. She does, however, describe her assigned unit, the 3rd Naval Construction Regiment, as “true enablers”: “They have been super supportive of me and my shooting… I’ve received moral support and they were always just really encouraging.” Uptagrafft served a nine-month deployment to Kandahar, Afghanistan, from 2010 to 2011, with the unit.

In addition to the June 5 event, Uptagrafft is also competing in the national championship in women’s 10-meter air pistol on June 8. She will then continue to train at Fort Benning, although she will ensure that her training schedule is tailored to the operational commitments of the base.

Uptagrafft’s husband, Eric, is also a member of the 2012 Olympic shooting team. Eric is a former Navy Reservist, and having both earned spots in the 2012 Olympic Team, the couple will celebrate their 12th wedding anniversary – August 5th – during the Summer Olympics in London. Shooting events during the Olympics are scheduled for July 28 until August 6.