Any experienced boxer has scarred flesh; it's something that comes with the territory.

Not many have scars from shark bites. Or electric eel stings. Or from being thrown into a fence while breaking a wild horse in Bolivia. Or operations to repair a torn posterior cruciate ligament that ended their collegiate football career.

Then again, not many boxers are Rick Slater, Penn State's heavyweight regional champion and top contender for a national title. And few people see the things in their entire lives that Slater has witnessed in his 31 years.

After graduating from Flint Powers Catholic High School in Michigan, Slater joined the Navy and quickly entered the elite SEAL program. During his eight years in the service, Slater spent time in all but two Latin American countries. It is also where he developed his work ethic and team mentality. The influence the Navy has had on him can still be heard in Slater's speech, with things being labeled assignments, objectives, and tasks.

Following his discharge, Slater enrolled at Penn State in the summer of 1997. Despite only playing two years of high school football — and after an eight-year layoff — he made the football team as walk-on playing defensive line. The toughness that storming beaches for years will instill in a person showed through.

"He was a tough, hard-working player," said Penn State football coach Joe Sarra, who was Slater's position coach. "I respect guys like him. He's a team man, 100 percent team."

Deciding that the rigors of football were not enough, Slater began boxing his sophomore year. Even though he was in football shape, he captured a regional title for the year.

The strain on his body was too great, however, with injuries forcing him to miss time in both sports.

For his junior year, Slater decided to stop boxing and concentrate on football. This decision proved not to be permanent, due to his tearing a PCL in practice.

After not being cleared to play football again, Slater shed 40 pounds and rededicated himself to the sweet science this season.

In a sport notorious for long hours of training, Slater has made a name for himself by working out after practice. Penn State coach Bill Wrable, who calls Slater the best conditioned heavyweight in the country, describes how he needs to order Slater to take days off so as not to burn himself out.

Slater explains his endless training as the main key to the success he has had this season and part of an insatiable desire to improve.

"I try to condition more than other heavyweights," Slater said. "If I'm out-skilled, I can rely on that. . .You can never be good enough, you can never be in good enough shape, and your skills can always be more developed."

It has been his ability to outlast and out-punch opponents that has fueled Slater's undefeated season that has seen two bouts ended in the second round. Though he strives to be a technical fighter, Slater often winds up going toe-to-toe with opponents, punishing them with relentless combinations.

Team president and 156-pound Alex Komlev said that Slater has the speed of a middleweight with the power of a heavyweight.

Also in his favor is his size. Standing 6-foot-1 with long hair pulled up into a ponytail, the well-built Slater is an intimidating figure. Inside the ring, he stalks opponents instead of dancing around them, preferring a straightforward attack to a more conservative approach.

"(Because of his size), he has a mental advantage," Wrable said.

"As long as he realizes that, he has a tremendous physical advantage," Wrable added

Slater has turned his attention toward national championships, which will be held next week in Reno, Nev.

He does not intend to continue his boxing career after he graduates in May, so his last fight in the tournament will be the last in the ring.

And he wants to go out a champion.

"I've been working really hard all year since summer," Slater said. "I think we're in a really good position to go all the way. Our motto all year has been to not accept anything less than leaving nationals with the team title."