Boxers primed for regionals

It was only one tournament, the final regular season tune-up in preparation for the monumental Northeast Regionals. But don't tell the Penn State boxing team that its March 7th tournament in Lexington, Ky., at the Kentucky Invitational was meaningless.

"They all had to get some confidence," coach Bill Wrable said. "It was a good way to finish. They were all aggressive and that's what I was really looking for."

Three of the five Penn State boxers exited the ring victorious, and the two defeats were determined by split decisions. Pleased with its performance, Penn State returned home with some needed confidence.

"It's a big confidence builder and a gauge to measure ourselves," junior Jesse Bond said. "We were real aggressive and everybody picked it up. Everyone knew regionals were coming and we were geared for a good fight."

Bond, senior Gotce Peev and freshman Doug Bayly garnered unanimous decisions while juniors Dave Smythe and Karl Kinzler suffered split decision losses.

"I was glad to see what I saw," Bayly said. "I fought more composed by using better skill and being more conscious of what I was doing. I absolutely needed that fight."

The tournament capped off a regular season in which the competition was noticeably elevated. With tougher and stronger opponents, Penn State hoped it remained, at worst, even with its competition, and at best, one step ahead.

"(Penn State's opponents are) tougher physically and mentally this year than they were last year," Wrable said. "They're punching harder and moving better."

The team is preparing itself for its biggest test of the year -- the Northeast Regional Tournament which starts tomorrow and ends Saturday. As host of the tournament, Penn State isn't looking to make its guests feel "at home." With the top two finishers in each weight class qualifying for the national championships, it hopes to make its opponents' visit to Happy Valley a miserable and unfulfilling one.

"It's starting to jell," Wrable said. "It's just a matter of confidence now."

Penn State wants to parlay that renewed confidence with its recent success and carry it through the postseason.

"If the same momentum from my last fight carries on, I should do well," Bond said.

The season-long training which entails physical and mental preparation culminates in one three-round bout. At this point, there is no time for adjustments.

"I'm as ready as I'm going to be," Bayly said.