University
of the Sciences
in Philadelphia
Coed Rifle Team 
Stories
& Highlights
2004-05
season
Devils Defeat Penn State at MAC Championships (3/7/05)
The USP varsity rifle team finished their 2004-2005 season with a victory over Penn state University at the Mid-Atlantic Conference (MAC) Championships held at Virginia Military Institute on Saturday.
This contest was a rematch of last year's championship in the MAC Expert Air Rifle Division where Penn State edged USP by 10 points. The Devils claimed revenge this year with a narrow 2138-2110 victory.
As she has done all year, Michelle Bauer (Fr., Triton HS/ Blackwood, NJ) led the team with a score of 569 (95, 94, 97, 92, 95, 96). Michael Colletti (Jr., Holy Trinity HS/Massapequa, NY) recorded a career high of 557 while Glenn Raymond (Jr., Manchester Memorial HS/Manchester, NH) contributed a solid 552. Jason Powers (So, Bishop Guertin HS/ Pelham, NH) rounded out the team with a score of 460.
The championship was Head Coach Paul Klimitas' 13th as he finished his 29th campaign. "It's always nice to finish a season with a win. That usually means you won a championship of some sort. This has been an unusual season in that we have used the same four shooters all season. I can not remember ever doing that. Also, this is the first time that I can remember that we will not lose anyone to graduation."
"I can't say enough about our four top shooters, " adds Klimitas." Bauer finished the season as only the third freshman in school history to be top gun in every match. Raymond was very solid throughout the spring semester while Colletti saved his best shooting for last. Powers competed all season with a painful shoulder and did not miss a single match. "I've coached better teams, but none as committed to the program," said Klimitas. "They followed the game plan, accepted and executed it by the book. That's all a coach can ask."
USP finished the season with a 9-7 record in air rifle and a 13-6 record in smallbore.
Devils Fall to Coast Guard in Final Regular Season Match (2/21/05)
The University of the Sciences in Philadelphia coed rifle team traveled to New London, Connecticut to take on the U.S. Coast Guard Academy for their final regular season match of the season on Saturday, losing to the Bears in both guns, 2248-2204 (smallbore) and 2209-2147 (air rifle).
For the third consecutive week, the Devils recorded a season high in smallbore, breaking the 2200 mark with a score of 2204, their highest score in four years.
"I was pleased with the 2200 performance on the road," said Head Coach Paul Klimitas. "Even with a loss to a solid team we put it together."
Michelle Bauer (Fr., Triton HS/ Blackwood, NJ) again led the Devils in both guns, recording a 581 in air rifle and a 583 in smallbore. Her smallbore score featured a perfect 200 (100-100) in prone. Bauer also shot 96, 92 standing and 99, 96 kneeling to reach her 583 mark.
Bauer also, as a freshman, joins Kevin Gale and Chris Hazuda as the only people to be high shooter in every match in both smallbore and air rifle as a freshman. Michelle now awaits notification from the NCAA Rifle Committee to see if her 585 score in air rifle last week at the qualifiers is good enough to earn an trip to the NCAA Championship at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado on March 10-12, 2005.
Glenn Raymond (Jr., Manchester Memorial HS/Manchester, NH) and Michael Colletti (Jr., Holy Trinity HS/Massapequa, NY) finished the smallbore competition with identical scores of 551 (Raymond: 98, 96 prone; 89, 81 standing; 95, 92 kneeling; Colletti: 97, 98 prone; 86, 84 standing; 91, 95 kneeling) while Jason Powers (So, Bishop Guertin HS/ Pelham, NH) shot a career high 519 (94, 96 prone; 79, 79 standing; 90, 81 kneeling) to round out the Devils top four.
In air rifle, Raymond finished with a score of 550, Colletti, 528 and Powers 488 to round out the Devils top four.
USP's next match will be at the MAC Championships at Virginia Military Institute on March 5, 2005 where it appears that USP will compete against Wentworth Institute of Technology (Boston, MA) in the Expert Division in Air Rifle.
Season High Recorded by Devils in NCAA Qualifier vs. Army (2/13/05)
The University of the Sciences in Philadelphia coed rifle team recorded their best smallbore mark of the season in Saturday's NCAA qualifier at their home range, the Colonel William Shea Rifle Range.
USP's smallbore score of 2197 bested their previous season high of 2194 set last week at the NRA Sectionals. USP however, fell to the Cadets of Army 2342-2197. Army's score of 2342 is a new range record. The Devils did defeat Princeton, 2197-2041.
"We put two very good smallbore performances back-to-back, "said Head Coach Paul Klimitas. "Maybe next week we can break the 2200 mark."
Army also shot a range record in air rifle, defeating the Devils 2340-2143.
Three USP shooters recorded career highs in the match. For the second consecutive week, Glenn Raymond (Jr., Manchester Memorial HS/Manchester, NH) shot a career high in smallbore, recording a score of 572 (99,99 prone; 92, 92 standing; 95, 95 kneeling). Raymond's score of 572 was second high for the Devils behind Michelle Bauer's (Fr., Triton HS/ Blackwood, NJ) 581 (99, 100 prone; 96, 95 standing; 97, 94 kneeling).
Bauer was also one of two USP shooters to record a career high in air rifle, shooting a 585 (96, 95, 99, 98, 99, 98). Michelle's score of 585 is a USP record for a 60-shot air rifle course. Brittany Marchant (So., Annville-Cleona HS/Annville, PA) joined Bauer in recording a career high in air rifle, firing a score of 449 (75, 73, 66, 79, 77, 79).
Michael Colletti (Jr., Holy Trinity HS/Massapequa, NY) and Jason Powers (So, Bishop Guertin HS/ Pelham, NH) rounded out the Devils top four in smallbore, shooting 548 and 496 respectively. Colletti also shot 538 in air rifle while Powers added an air rifle score of 473 to round of the Devils to join Bauer and Raymond as the scorers for air rifle.
USP has now clinched a spot at the upcoming MAC Championships at Virginia Military Institute on March 5 in air rifle - smallbore will depend on this weekend's match at Coast Guard in New London, Connecticut.
Army did qualify in both guns for the NCAA Championship held on March 11-12 at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. Their score could make them #1 seed. Teams and individual qualifiers will be announced on Thursday, February 17, 2005.
Devils Shoot Smallbore Season High at Sectionals (2/6/05)
The University of the Sciences in Philadelphia coed rifle team had a pair of shooters record career high in smallbore en route to the Devils shooting a season high 2194 in the first week of the NRA Sectionals held at the Colonel William Shea Rifle Range on the campus of USP.
The Devils 2194 smallbore score bettered the smallbore score of all four teams competing over the weekend. USP outshot SUNY Maritime, 2194-1652; John Jay College 2194-2040; Loyola University (MD) 2194-2006 and Massachusetts Institute of Technology(MIT) 2194-2152.
Smallbore career highs were recorded by Glenn Raymond (Jr., Manchester Memorial HS/Manchester, NH) and Michael Colletti (Jr., Holy Trinity HS/Massapequa, NY). Raymond turned in cards of 99 and 97 in prone; 92 and 97 standing and 87 and 93 kneeling for a total of 565. Colletti had two cards of 99 in prone; 85 and 88 standing and 92 and 95 kneeling for a total of 558. "Anytime you have two shooters post personal bests, their score is usually going to benefit the entire team," added head coach Paul Klimitas.
Michelle Bauer (Fr., Triton HS/Blackwood, NJ) turned in another solid performance as the Devils top gun. Bauer had cards of 96 and 98 prone; 97 and 91 standing and 98 and 94 kneeling for a total of 574. Rounding out the Devils top four was Jason Powers (So, Bishop Guertin HS/ Pelham, NH). Powers recorded a score of 497 (96, 95 prone; 81, 77 standing and 78, 70 kneeling).
Also recording a career high in smallbore was Matt Batko (Fr., Mark T. Sheehan HS/ Wallingford, CT). Batko shot 85 and 90 prone; 58 and 64 standing; and 72 and 81 kneeling for a total of 450.
In air rifle, the Devils defeated John Jay College 2159-2022 and SUNY Maritime 2159-1634 but lost to MIT 2223-2159. Bauer was top gun for the Devils shooting cards of 94,97,100,97,96, 97 for a score of 581. Raymond and Colletti followed with scores of 557 (93,93,94,90,93,94) and 541 (92,87,92,93,92,85) respectively. Powers rounded out the top four with a score of 480 (76,86,79,77,83,79). "Michelle stayed steady through both guns," added Klimitas. "And Jason was just terrific as he fought through a very painful shoulder problem. All four shooters are looking forward to next weekend's NCAA Qualifier."
Devils Close out First Half of Season with Loss at Navy (11/20/04)
Another week, another tough match for the USP coed rifle team. The Devils closed out the first half of their season with a match at pre-season #3 ranked Navy on Saturday. USP turned in another solid performance but lost both guns, 2308-2142 in smallbore and 2284-2146 in air rifle.
USP is now 6-4 in smallbore and 6-3 in air rifle and will resume play at the start of the Spring 2005 semester.
As has been the case in every match this season, the Devils were led by Michelle Bauer (Fr., Triton HS/Blackwood, NJ). Bauer fired a score of 580 in smallbore and 573 in air rifle. "All Michelle has done has been high shooter in every match this year, comments Head Coach Paul Klimitas. "We can't ask much more of her than that."
Michael Colletti (Jr., Holy Trinity HS/Massapequa, NY), donning a new pair of shoes, fired a career high in air rifle (555) and added a score of 533 in smallbore. "Ya, it had to be the shoes," adds Klimitas.
Rounding out the Devils top four shooters were Glenn Raymond (Jr., Manchester Memorial HS/Manchester, NH) and Jason Powers (So, Bishop Guertin HS/ Pelham, NH). Raymond had a score of 544 in smallbore and 546 in air rifle. while Powers recorded scores of 485 (smallbore)and 472 (air rifle).
Also turning in strong performances on the day were Matt Woge (So., Lancaster Mennonite HS/Lancaster, PA), Rosine Richa (So., Upper Merion HS/King of Prussia, PA) and Matt Batko (Fr., Mark T. Sheehan HS/ Wallingford, CT). "Matt (Woge) put together his most consistent set of targets in smallbore," said Klimitas. Woge shot 468 for smallbore and added a 437 in air rifle. Richa recorded a career high in air rifle with a 482, producing six consistent cards ranging from 78 to 83. Batko, shooting air rifle only, fired a score of 402.
"This was another very god trip for us, "adds Klimitas. We're competing against some of the best teams on the east coast and it all builds a tournament tough squad."
The University of Akron Zips rifle team zoomed into town Saturday to face the USP Devils at the Colonel William Shea Rifle Range. The strong Zip squad zapped the Devils in both guns, defeating USP 2308-2168 in smallbore and 2297-2150 in air rifle.
The Devils are now 6-3 in smallbore and 6-2 in air rifle.
"Akron is an extremely strong and well coached team," said USP Head Coach Paul Klimitas. "They were fresh off a tournament win at Purdue where their shooters fired eight career highs and they turn around a come east to Philly and break a team record. That's what good team's do."
Michelle Bauer (Fr., Triton HS/Blackwood, NJ) led the Devils in both guns shooting 571 in smallbore and 582 in air rifle. In smallbore, Bauer had cards of 98 and 97 in prone; 92 and 97 standing and 94 and 93 kneeling. In air rifle Bauer fired cards of 96, 99, 95, 98, 97, and 97.
Glenn Raymond (Jr., Manchester Memorial HS/Manchester, NH) was second-high for USP in both guns, shooting 551 (98,98 prone; 86,86 standing; 87,96 kneeling) in smallbore and 545 (90,91,89,90, 95,90) in air rifle. Michael Colletti (Jr., Holy Trinity HS/Massapequa, NY) was right behind Raymond with a smallbore score of 550 (95,97 prone; 80,86 standing; 97,95 kneeling). In air rifle, Colletti had a score of 539 (92,89,89,90,93,86).
Rounding out the Devils top four was Jason Powers (So, Bishop Guertin HS/ Pelham, NH). Powers had a score of 496 in smallbore (98,94 prone: 84,63 standing; 81,76 kneeling) and 484 in air rifle (88,76,79,81,78,82).
"I'm pleased where we are right now," adds Klimitas, reflecting on his team's performance. "I have no complaints"
Things don't get any easier for USP as the visit the U.S. Naval Academy next weekend. The midshipman are ranked #3 nationally. "It's always an honor to compete with Navy," said Klimitas. "We're looking forward to finishing up a very competitive first half of the year."
Devils Sweep SUNY Maritime (10/30/04)
Returning to the friendly confines of the Colonel William Shea Rifle Range proved to be a good thing for the USP coed rifle team as they swept both guns from SUNY Maritime, defeating the Privateers 2187-1925 in smallbore and 2193-1802 in air rifle.
The Devils are now 6-2 in smallbore and 6-1 in air rifle.
Leading the way in both guns for the Devils was Michelle Bauer (Fr., Triton HS/Blackwood, NJ). Bauer shot a 573 in smallbore (99,97 prone; 92,94 standing; and 95,96 kneeling) and a 580 in air rifle (99,95,97,97, 94,98). Michael Colletti (Jr., Holy Trinity HS/Massapequa, NY) also turned in an excellent performance on the day, shooting a combined (air and smallbore) career high of 1102. Colletti fired a 553 in air rifle (89,94,91,97,92,90) and a 549 in smallbore (98,96 prone; 84,82 standing; 94/95 kneeling).
Rounding out the Devils top four were Glenn Raymond (Jr., Manchester Memorial HS/Manchester, NH) and Jason Powers (So, Bishop Guertin HS/ Pelham, NH) . Raymond shot 559 in smallbore (99,97 prone; 89,92 standing; 87,95 kneeling) and 542 in air rifle (94,87,89,92,89,91). Powers turned in a score of 506 in smallbore (95,94 prone; 75,77 standing; 81, 84 kneeling) and 518 in air rifle (85,87,90,87,86,83).
"We shot a bit better this week, "said Head Coach Paul Klimitas. "It is always good to shoot at home and we changed brand of ammunition for a couple of people and it seemed to work."
Making his debut for the Devils on Saturday was Buu Tu (Fr., Central HS/ Philadelphia, PA). Tu, shooting air rifle, scored 386 (66,77,63,60,70,50).
Next up for the Devils will be a home match against Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Wentworth on Saturday, November 6, 2004.
Devils Perform Well at VMI (10/23/04)
The USP coed rifle team overcame a slow start to record three smallbore wins and four air rifle wins at Virginia Military Institute's Kilbourne Hall on Saturday.
In smallbore, the Devils recorded a score of 2097, defeating the VMI Mixed team (2071), Massachusetts Maritime (1892) and the University of Virginia (1766). USP's only smallbore loss was to the VMI varsity (2176). In air rifle, the Devils had a score of 2155, defeating VMI (2126), VMI Mixed (1902), Massachusetts Maritime (1912) and University of Virginia (1688).
Michelle Bauer (Fr., Triton HS/Blackwood, NJ) led the Devils in both guns, recording match-highs of 567 in smallbore (97, 96 prone, 92, 91 standing, and 96, 95 kneeling) and 580 in air rifle.
Michael Colletti (Jr., Holy Trinity HS/Massapequa, NY) was second high for the Devils in smallbore with a score of 530 (93, 90 prone; 84-88 standing; and 82-93 kneeling). Colletti also recorded a 529 score in air rifle. Glenn Raymond (Jr., Manchester Memorial HS/Manchester, NH) was second-high in air rifle with a score of 552. Raymond also had a score of 502 in smallbore (92, 93 prone; 69, 74 standing, and 92, 82 kneeling).
Rounding out the Devils top four scorers was Jason Powers (So, Bishop Guertin HS/Pelham, NH). Powers shot a 498 in smallbore (96, 95 prone; 79, 77 standing; and 78, 73 kneeling) and a 494 in air rifle. Brittany Marchant (So., Annville-Cleona HS/Annville, PA) and Rosine Richa (So., Upper Merion HS/King of Prussia, PA) also competed for the Devils with Marchant shooting a 398 in smallbore and a 440 in air rifle and Richa recording an air rifle score of 433.
USP's record is now 5-2 in smallbore and 5-1 in air rifle.
Next up for the Devils is an MAC match against SUNY Maritime at the Col. William Shea Rifle range at USP on Saturday, October 30, 2004.
Bauer Ties Record as Devils Sweep the Bloodhounds (10/09/04)
Michelle Bauer tied a nine-year old USP smallbore record as the USP coed rifle team swept the Bloodhounds of John Jay College 2175-1970 in smallbore and 2128-1970 in air rifle in their home opener.
Bauer (Fr., Triton HS/Blackwood, NJ) shot a career-high 584 in smallbore, tying Sean Burns' mark set back in the 1994-1995 season. Bauer recorded cards of 98 and 97 prone, 93 and 98 standing and 100 and 98 kneeling.
Glenn Raymond (Jr., Manchester Memorial HS/Manchester, NH) also shot well for the Devils, recording a season-high 554 in smallbore (95, 97 prone; 87, 88 standing; 93, 94 kneeling). Michael Colletti (Jr., Holy Trinity HS/Massapequa, NY) and Jason Powers (So, Bishop Guertin HS/Pelham, NH) rounded out the Devils top four with scores of 533 (96, 97 prone; 83, 83 standing; 89, 85 kneeling) and 504 (92, 92 prone; 75, 79 standing; 75, 91 kneeling). Powers' mark was also a career-high. Matt Woge (So., Lancaster Mennonite HS/Lancaster, PA) also competed for USP, shooting a 443.
"There were some solid performances today," said Head Coach Paul Klimitas. "And that will only benefit the team as we raise the bar each week."
Bauer also paced the Devils in air rifle, shooting 572 for the 60-shot course. (93, 96, 95, 93, 99, 96). Raymond and Colletti shot identical scores of 534 and Powers rounded out the top four with a score of 488. Raymond had cards of 90, 89, 90, 94, 87 and 84 while Colletti six cards were 91, 83, 84, 90, 91,and 85. Powers had cards of 87, 75, 81, 76, 84 and 85.
Three shooters made their first appearance for the Devils this season, all shooting air rifle. Rosine Richa (So., Upper Merion HS/King of Prussia, PA) shot a 384, Matt Batko (Fr., Mark T. Sheehan HS/Wallingford, CT), a 350 and Ben Steger (Fr., Fredonia HS/Fredonia, NY), a 335.
"It's nice to be home and not carry the gear all over the place," added Klimitas. "It's great to travel to other campuses but shooting at home is usually a little less stressful."
The Devils are now 2-1 in smallbore and 1-1 in air rifle.
Next up for the Devils will be a trip to Virginia Military Institute where the Devils will take on the Keydets and Massachusetts Maritime.
Devils Lose at Norwich (10/2/04)
The USP rifle team participated in their first ever match under the new NCAA regulations on Saturday against Norwich University, falling to the Cadets 2244-2123 in smallbore and 2219-2131 in air rifle.
Under the new NCAA regulations this year, air rifle matches are 60-shot matches (International Course) and smallbore matches are 60-shot three position matches (half course).
In smallbore competition, the Devils shot 30 points higher than two weeks ago against Valley Forge Military College, with Michelle Bauer (Fr., Triton HS/Blackwood, NJ) leading the way with a score of 571 (out of 600). Bauer had a score of 196 at the prone position, 184 standing and 191 kneeling.
Glenn Raymond (Jr., Manchester Memorial HS/Manchester, NH) was second high for USP with a score of 540 (189 prone; 170 standing; 181 kneeling). rounding out the Devils top four were Michael Colletti (Jr., Holy Trinity HS/Massapequa, NY) and Jason Powers (So, Bishop Guertin HS/Pelham, NH). Colletti had a score of 532 (186 prone; 162 standing; 184 kneeling) while Powers shot 480 (186 prone; 135 standing; 159 kneeling).
"I'm very pleased about our performance," said Head Coach Paul Klimitas. "Driving nine hours after a long week of classes and shooting 30 points higher than two weeks ago is solid progress."
In the Devils' first ever 60-shot air rifle match, USP got solid performances from Bauer and Raymond, shooting 569 and 544 respectively. "Raymond and Bauer was very consistent throughout the match," adds Klimitas. Colletti shot 536 and Powers added a career-high 482 to round out the Devils top four.
USP's record is now 1-1 in smallbore and 0-1 in air rifle.