Boxers set to compete against tough field at Lock Haven tourney

Society tends to think of it as boorish of a person to smile at the sight of a boxing glove connecting full force with a cheekbone. And often times society looks down upon people who enjoy the fast-paced thrill of two boxers revolving around each other in intense combat.

But for boxing fans who aren't ashamed to confess their open love for the sport, a pilgrimage to Lock Haven on Saturday might not be a bad idea.

Boxers from 11 different schools will be at Lock Haven for the 27-bout Lock Haven Invitational. Penn State will be one of the most represented schools in attendance, sending nine boxers.

Penn State coach Bill Wrable is excited about his team's current situation, in particular its steadily improving condition.

"They're getting there," he said. "It's only a few people that aren't in shape. The few that needed it are getting special attention."

The bout receiving perhaps the most attention will be between Penn State captain Dave Herron and Lock Haven's Anthony Penecale. Penecale received a beating courtesy of Penn State's Tim Scott two weeks ago at the Nittany Lion Invitational. But the 190-pound Penecale will be fighting in front of his home crowd and may have thoughts of his last encounter with a Penn State boxer on his mind.

Wrable said the fight has been a long time coming, as scheduling problems have prevented it from taking place earlier.

"They've been trying to go for two years now," Wrable said.

In other action, Penn State's Mike Brown battles Shippensburg's Mike Brady at 139 pounds. Brown decisioned VMI's Fred Cummings last weekend at the Virginia Military Institute Keydet Invitational. Greg Fielder, who also won last weekend, takes on VMI's Gary Stille at 147 pounds. He wasn't as optimistic as Wrable about the team's physical state.

"Across the whole team, no matter where we're at as far as conditioning," Fielder said, "we need to step it up. That should never be a reason why you lose a fight."

Also at 147 pounds, Penn State's Kurt Decker battles VMI's Sager Marshall. Penn State's only representative at 156 pounds is Charlie Fisher, who is slated to box Kentucky's Tom Winton. And at 172 pounds, Brent Becker locks horns with Army's Jamie Friel.

The lone Penn State boxer seeing his first action of the season is Brad Raybold, who faces Antonio Ward from Lock Haven at 125 pounds.

Two Penn State boxers will fight in the heavyweight division. Scott, who defeated Penecale two weeks ago, is matched up with Shippensburg big boy Kevin Malley. The other heavyweight bout pits Penn State's Rick Albright against Kentucky's Kevin Malley.

This will be the final tune-up for Penn State before it returns home next week for the Northwest Region tournament. The weekend-long tournament will be used to decide which boxer at each weight category moves on to the April 11-12 nationals tournament in Annapolis, Md.

Wrable said the urgency call has been sent to his boxers.

"Before it was general conditioning," he said. "Now we have to be specific against certain style boxers."