Despite the tauntings of a "very vocal" crowd of cadets, four Penn State boxers scored victories at the VMI Invitational on Saturday.

In their bouts, Coach Bill Wrable said his boxers stressed the basics, using jabs as the predominant weapon for their victories.

"That's really why they won their decisions," Wrable said. "You can control a fight with (jabs)."

Since the host school receives priority in scheduling bouts, only five boxers made the trip to VMI. However, the success of a few of the boxers at the invitational helps the team as a whole, club president Randy Pogue said.

"We always want to get work for all our guys," Pogue said. "(But) seeing how well we did is going to be helpful to all our boxers."

At 172, Kevin Cull won his second straight collegiate bout with a decision over Greg Chiasson of VMI. Wrable said Cull followed his debut performance at the PSU Invitational last week with another good bout.

"He needed a tough bout and he got one. Kevin's moving along, definitely," Wrable said.

In another bout at 172, Pogue faced Sean Turner of VMI in a rematch of their exhibition bout at the Navy Invitational last month. Although Pogue went the distance with his foe, Turner's experience was too much for him at the end. Turner took the decision in Penn State's lone loss of the afternoon.

"It wasn't really pretty to look at, but (Pogue) did what he had to do to go the distance," Wrable said. "(Turner) is probably one of the top two boxers around in the East."

In addition to battling his opponent, Pogue also had to contend with a boisterous crowd of cadets, as did the other Penn State boxers.

"They were very supportive of their guys. . . they had all kinds of chants and songs," Pogue said.

Jon Wood gave Penn State its second victory of the invitational with a decision over Gettysburg's Bill Newland at 147. In the bout, Wood used a powerful left jab to his advantage, in setting up combinations against his opponent.

Ben Lewis also used a sharp left jab in earning a decision over Paul Meadows of VMI at 147. Wrable said Penn State's victories over VMI opponents were particularly impressive because of VMI's skill and conditioning.

"You have to work and try different things to get a decision from them," Wrable said. "It just shows what you're made of."

Jim Stewart (165) earned a close decision over Gettysburg's Zaigham Khan for Penn State's fourth victory.

Pogue said the performances of Stewart, Lewis, Wood and Cull prove that they have progressed as they have been expected to.

"I've always thought that these guys looked a lot better coming along than we did last year," Pogue said.

Next Saturday, the boxers travel to Gettysburg looking to improve on their performances at VMI.