Devils Fall at MAC Championships

The University of the Sciences mixed rifle team concluded their season on Saturday at the Mid Atlantic rifle Conference Championships (MAC) with losses in both guns.   The United States Naval Academy hosted the event.

Competing in the MAC Sharpshooter Division, the Devils narrowly lost their smallbore contest to John Jay College of Criminal Justice 2117-2116.   In air rifle, the Devils place third with SUNY Maritime capturing the title with a score of 2164.  Indiana University of Pennsylvania was second with a score of 2134 and the Devils, third, scoring 2128.

Against the Bloodhounds of John Jay in the smallbore competition, the Devils were led by Brad Driscoll who shot 572 (99, 100 prone; 94, 90 stand; 94, 95 kneel). Sam Fowler followed with a score of 545 (97, 95 prone; 84, 90 stand; 88, 91 kneel).  Maura Andrews and Tim Wu rounded out the Devils four scorers shooting 500 (94, 95 prone; 77, 66 stand; 81, 87 kneel) and 499 (94, 94 prone; prone; 67, 75 stand; 82, 87 kneel) respectively.  Driscoll’s 572 score was also the fifth highest overall smallbore score amongst the 46 shooters in the different division competing.  Fowler’s 545 was 19^th best overall.

John Jay was led by Stephen Zawislak’s score of 558.  Will Finch followed, shooting 525.  Kerri and Jenna Hansen rounded out the Bloodhounds four scorers with Kerri shooting 522 and Jenna 512.

In air rifle Driscoll and Fowler were again the Devils top two shooters.   Driscoll shot 569 (95, 95, 97, 94, 96, 92) while Fowler shot 550 (90, 94, 91, 88, 94, 93) .  Wu and Andrews were the Devils other two scorers, shooting 505 (86, 86, 84, 87, 81, 81) and 504 (78, 88, 79, 90, 83, 86) respectively.  Driscoll’s 569 score was ninth best overall amongst the 42 air rifle competitors while Fowler’s score of 550 was 18^th best.

SUNY Maritime’s Brandon Webber helped lead the Privateers to their second MAC Championship in three years, shooting 563. Amanda Thompson blasted a 539. Dustin Schell added a spark with a 537, while James Worrall recorded a 525.

IUP was led by Julie Vavreck and Eric Routch who shot 555 and 536 respectively.  Jake Snyder (527) and George Yauneridge (516) rounded out the four scorers for the Crimson.

The MAC held its first championships in 1978.  Since that time the USciences mixed rifle team has captured 14 MAC Championship titles.  Coupled with four more championships from the women’s team, University of the Sciences has claimed a total of 18 MAC Championships  in the 35 years under the watchful eye and guidance of Head Coach Paul Klimitas