The Penn State Boxing Club, preparing for the Eastern Collegiate Boxing Association's Northeast Regional Qualifiers, took three out of five bouts at the annual Virginia Military Institute "Keydet" Invitational last weekend in Lexington, Va.

Freshman Mike Francis decisioned Lock Haven's Jason Pletcher in the 156-pound class, Derek Vietro defeated Lock Haven's Chris Moon in a 165-pound bout and Jim Bernier decisioned Shippensburg's Shawn Jehu in the 180-pound class.

In beating Pletcher, Francis avenged his first and only loss. He did so despite losing a point after being cautioned for throwing a left hook and not turning his glove over. However, Francis only received one warning and was penalized on the second occasion instead of a third.

"That was a trash call, I think," Coach Bill Wrable said. "He pretty much dominated the guy. In the first bout (in December), Mike went running in and got stung. Since then, he's learned -- I thought there should've been a couple of eight counts (on Pletcher), myself."

In other bouts, Floyd Brown lost a decision to VMI's Nithya Sieu in 139 and Andy Lariviere was decisioned by VMI's Tico Angelico in the 156-pound class.

Penn State will host the ECBA Northeast Region Qualifiers March 17-18 in the White Building gymnasium.