By Brittany Nelson, USAS Public Relations & Communications Manager
SANTIAGO, CHILE (Oct. 31, 2023) – Alexis “Lexi” Lagan wins bronze in Women’s Sport Pistol Oct. 24 and silver in Women’s 10m Air Pistol Oct. 26 at the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile, securing the U.S. an Olympic quota for Paris 2024.
“It feels awesome,” said Lagan, a 2020 Tokyo Olympian. “I am doing my job. This is what I came out here to do. I wanted to secure the air pistol quota specifically and I got it.”
Lagan, a Boulder City, Nevada, native, has now earned a total of two Olympic quotas in her shooting career. At the 2018 Championships of the Americas Games (CAT Games) she earned the U.S. a Women’s 25m Sport Pistol quota for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
“I am really proud of the work that I have done in both disciplines,” said Lagan, a three-time 2022 CAT Games medalist. “Securing it in air pistol is a solidifier of my strength in air pistol as well as sport pistol. I feel like a well-rounded shooter that can participate in both disciplines comfortably and well.”
Lagan earned the quota and silver medal in air pistol after defeating Diana Durango, of Ecuador, who finished fourth. Lagan’s final score of 231.5 put her in second place right behind Alejandra Zavala, of Mexico, the gold medalist.
Lagan earned her spot in the final alongside both teammates, Suman Sanghera, and Lisa Emmert Traciak. Sanghera finished first in the qualification round with a total score of 578, beating the Pan American Games qualification record by 10 points. Emmert Traciak and Lagan beat the old qualification record as well with scores of 571, and 570, respectively.
Lagan earned her bronze medal in Women’s Sport Pistol Oct. 24. She finished third overall in the final after edging out Emmert Traciak who finished fourth.
After the U.S. Olympic Trials Part One, Lagan is currently sitting in the number one overall spot for Women’s 10m Air Pistol, and number four overall for Women’s Sport Pistol. Lagan mentioned that the Pan American Games were great preparation for her path to the Paris Olympic Games.
“Of all the competitions I have been to, this is by far the closest experience to the Olympics,” said Lagan. “This is a good opportunity for me to see what finals are going to be like at the Games. I am really confident now about my opportunities in Paris.”
USA Shooting athletes have topped the podium 18 times at the 2023 Pan American Games and earned the U.S. three Olympic quotas. Our partners and sponsors, to include The NRA Foundation, Safari Club International, The International Order of T. Roosevelt, Hillsdale College, and The MidwayUSA Foundation, have been a huge support for this successful 2023 Pan American Games Team. Medals include the following:
- Vincent Hancock: Gold, Men’s Skeet
- Sagen Maddalena: Gold, Women’s 10m Air Rifle
- Mary Tucker: Bronze, Women’s 10m Air Rifle
- Rylan Kissell: Silver, Men’s 10m Air Rifle
- Henry Leverett: Bronze, Men’s Rapid Fire Pistol (secured the U.S. an Olympic quota for Paris)
- Rylan Kissell & Mary Tucker: Gold, Mixed 10m Air Rifle Team
- Sagen Maddalena & Gavin Barnick: Bronze, Mixed 10m Air Rifle Team
- Vincent Hancock & Dania Vizzi: Gold, Mixed Skeet Team
- Dustan Taylor & Austen Smith: Bronze, Mixed Skeet Team
- Alexis Lagan: Bronze, Women’s 25m Sport Pistol
- Mary Tucker: Gold, Women’s 50m Smallbore Rifle
- Sagen Maddalena: Silver, Women’s 50m Smallbore Rifle
- Alexis Lagan: Silver, Women’s 10m Air Pistol (secured the U.S. an Olympic quota for Paris)
- James Hall: Silver, Men’s 10m Air Pistol
- Rachel Tozier: Bronze, Women’s Trap Pistol (secured the U.S. an Olympic quota for Paris)
- Tim Sherry: Silver, Men’s 50m Smallbore Rifle
- Lucas Kozeniesky: Bronze, Men’s 50m Smallbore Rifle
- Nick Mowrer & Lisa Emmert Traciak: Bronze, Mixed Team Air Pistol
View all results here: https://results-santiago2023.org/#/discipline/SHO/reports
View photos here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/usashooting/albums/72177720312048546
Follow @USAShooting on social media for competition updates and results.