A new level
Boxers record highest finish ever at Duels

By CHRISTIAN TAYLOR
Collegian Staff Writer

Penn State boxer Jesse Bond put it best when describing the impressive end to the team's season with a hard-fought second-place finish in the Eastern Collegiate Boxing Association International Duels last weekend in Reno, Nev.

"We're happy with it," he said, "but it only lasted that night and it's next season already."

Penn State clinched the best finish at nationals in its history and improved from third place at last year's tournament. This year's squad was edged out by Air Force for the second straight year.

"Everyone fought their hearts out and gave it all they had," assistant coach Lew Muccio said. "That's all you can really ask for."

Penn State boxer Christy Wilcox beat Christina Munsky of Lock Haven in a tough bout to become the first woman to ever repeat as E.C.B.A. National Champion. Wilcox has won both titles in the two-year history of the women's competition.

"She won a battle," Bond said. "It was a good war."

Wilcox wasn't too surprised she won the title for the second straight year.

"I knew I wanted it," Wilcox said. "I wanted it so bad. It was the hardest fight I've ever fought."

Misha Kirsanev won the E.C.B.A. title at 139 pounds in only his first year of competition. Kirsanev had to confront old demons along the way. Dave Shields of Lock Haven was the favorite to win the title at 139 pounds, and only two weeks earlier out-pointed Kirsanev at the E.C.B.A. Regionals.

"Misha had to go all the way through a tough bracket to get back to face (Shields)," Muccio said. "This time he knew what he had to do and convincingly beat him."

Kurt Decker and Sean Maher made it to the finals and both lost very close decisions. Dodge Anderson of Santa Clara edged out Decker at 147 pounds.

"I gave it all I had," Decker said. "But looking back, I really think I could've beaten him."

Maher fought well and earned runner-up at 112 pounds. "I was impressed with Sean," Bond said. "He showed a lot of class."

Despite finishing second, the squad believes it could have done better.

"We had a few close decisions that could've gone our way," Muccio said. "But we came in second and that's the best we've ever done."

After the first leg of the tournament Penn State had eight boxers in the semifinals and took control of the lead, but only three of those eight won their bouts and continued on to the finals.

Bond won his first bout and looked good going into the semifinals at 185 pounds, but then ran into a brick wall when he faced a heavily favored Marc Slaten of Air Force. Slaten, who won the national title twice previously, beat Bond in a decision and went on to win the title again.

"I don't think I fought to my full potential," Bond said. "Slaten's a great athlete and a great fighter, but I didn't give him what I should have."

Doug Bayly, Rick Slater, Alex Komlev and Anthony Maritato all came in third place in their respective weight classes.

Penn State showed a lot of depth at nationals and improved greatly from last season.

"Next year we're going to get No. 1," 175 pounder Karl Kinzler said. "We have a strong, young team and we were very focused."