This past weekend, the boxing team proved that even when divided, it can stand.

With half the team in Reno, Nev., and half at the Virginia Military Institute, the boxing team finished with an overall record of 7-1.

The more experienced half of the team was in Reno on Friday, where famed boxing referee and TV judge Mills Lane was doing commentary.

After a close decision at last week's Nittany Lion Invitational, 156-pound Alex Komlev, the Penn State boxing team president, won a decision over Tom Ceasar from the Air Force Academy.

"The fight went well, but there are things I need to work on," Komlev said.

Continuing his success was 139-pound Doug Bayly, who won by decision over Justin Galli from the University of Nevada, Reno.

Penn State Coach Bill Wrable described the bout as Bayly having his way with Galli.

"He out-punched his guy," said Komlev. "The guy (Galli) was in trouble a lot of times. He kept on pressuring him and punishing him quite a bit."

In only his second collegiate bout, 112-pound Jon Whitbred lost a decision to Lawrence Tam of UNR. This was his second fight against a topped ranked competitor, with Tam being a former National champion.

In a bout filled with excitement, heavyweight Rick Slater defeated Grayson Smith.

Smith retired in the second round after both fighters went tumbling out of the ring through the ropes.

"He improved a lot from the last fight as far as the style he's fighting with so that's pretty good," Komlev said.

The team also faired well at VMI on Saturday, where cadets stood on the track above the ring.

Following up a successful debut last weekend, 165-pound Miles Rivas won a decision over VMI's own Campbell Kane.

"It was definitely a good showing," said Rivas.

"VMI's very hostile to everyone else with all the cadets sitting above."

In a scene reminiscent of the movie Snatch, John Boor made his debut by defeating Derek Crockett of Kentucky. Boor came out swinging and knocked Crockett down in thirty-seven seconds. The referee stopped the bout without a count.

"I've never seen anything like that," said Rivas.

"I know he was nervous before the fight."

139-pound Nick Bair stopped Steve Cobos of Navy, who was defeated by Doug Bayly last week.

Also defeating a Midshipman was 165-pound Tom Shortledge, who received a decision over Andy Johnson.

"They did pretty well but we need to close people in a little better," Wrable said. "We're winning our bouts except for the last round. We need to finish stronger because you can't win like that at nationals."

The team is looking forward to this weekend when it takes part in Red Raider Invitational tournament at Shippensburg University.