It was only his second-ever fight and it was against the National Collegiate Boxing Association runner-up. But Mike Francis' confidence never wavered.

Francis matched up well last weekend with Lock Haven's Todd Steiner, both 6-foot-1, 147-pounders who rely on their reach and a counterpunch. Francis had been training since October and after studying tapes of Steiner, he deemed himself both physically and mentally fit.

"He was a great fighter," said Francis (freshman-history). "He lets you come in, then throws his one-two and gets out. He was hard to get in on, but I had a reach, too."

After three rounds and a decision, Francis also had his first victory.

Francis and his teammates in the Penn State Boxing Club will look to extend their good fortune at 8 p.m. tomorrow in the LHU Invitational at Lock Haven's Thomas Fieldhouse.

Six Penn State boxers are scheduled for open bouts, including Francis, who will face Nevada-Reno's Matt Horlock, an All-American who finished third in nationals last year. Also competing are Floyd Brown (139), Vince Calio (156), Preston Pickett (165), Clinton Shultz (172) and Jim Bernier (180).

Individual boxers will be represented by Northeast Region members Penn State, Lock Haven, Central Connecticut, Westfield, Mass., Shippensburg and Mansfield; Reno-Nevada, Virginia Military Institute and the Naval Academy will also compete.