UAF alum Sagen Maddalena finishes just shy of Olympic podium

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - Former Nanook Sagen Maddalena come up just short of an Olympic medal in her first event of the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The University of Alaska Fairbanks alum placed fourth in the women’s 10-meter Air Rifle competition with a final score of 207.7 points.

The eight-time All-American for UAF was beat out in her 20th shot, trailing South Korean and eventual gold medal winner Hyojin Ban (251.8), China’s Yuting Huang (251.8), and Switzerland’s Audrey Gogniat (230.3).

“I am a little bit speechless,” Maddalena’s father Randy told Team USA. “It is a huge accomplishment … it drains you because this competition is such a high level.

“I am super proud for her, of what she has accomplished, and what she will continue to accomplish.”

Despite missing out on some new hardware, Maddalena’s chances at a podium are not yet dashed. Her barrel now turns towards the women’s 50m Air Rifle Three Positions segment, an event she took home the bronze in during the 2023 ISSF World Championships.

Originally from Groveland, California, Maddalena is in the midst of her second Olympic appearance after her first run in the 2021 Tokyo games, where she placed fifth in the 50-meter event.

She is also a sergeant in the United States Army, helping to train shooters at Fort Moore in Georgia.

The women’s 50m Rifle Three Positions event is scheduled to begin Thursday at 2 a.m. AKDT. A schedule of all remaining Olympic events can be found on the Olympic website.

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