In response to Saturday's matches at Mansfield University, Penn State boxing coach Alex Komlev expressed a feeling representative of the team's progress over the past month.

"We're still learning."

The Lions are in fact learning every day that mixing up punches is vital, staying healthy in such a brutal sport seems like a hopeless task, and there is no substitute for experience.

The trip to Mansfield happened to turn into an eventful day, complete with an unexpected shortage of fighters and one especially odd outcome.

The Lions managed to again come away with a winning weekend, taking two out of three matches. Penn State, pitted against fighters from Army, Shippensburg and Gettysburg, used only three boxers, rather than five as planned. Chaz Khan did not make the trip after missing Thursday's practice.

Fred Schneider, the fifth member of the squad scheduled to compete, was held idle by the lack of competitors at his 165-pound weight class.

Even with the disappointment of not fielding a full team, Komlev took some positives away from the three bouts, namely the marked improvement of Chuck Pagana, who shined in his win.

"Chuck is one who actually throws different punches and tries new things," Komlev said. "He did very well this weekend and this season has been the one who has improved the most. I like what I see."

Pagana has won all three of his bouts this season, turning in the most impressive performance for the second straight outing. A fighter with no experience prior to this season, he has worked exceptionally hard to get to the point where he controls every fight.

"I've just tried to get better and keep moving, getting in the flow of the match," Pagana said. "I think our whole team is improving and since coach is pushing us hard, I expect us to win every fight every week."

Bret King won the first fight of the Invitational for the Lions, continuing his solid work while focusing on footwork and technique. The strangest occurrence of the day, however, undoubtedly came during Vitaly Libman's fight as the referee ended the fight after Libman was knocked down moments into the first round.

"I was a bit surprised when the ref made that decision," Komlev said. "Vitaly told me that he was fine and I didn't see anything wrong with him myself. That just goes to show us, anything can happen."

Again, the need for progress centers on the team's aggressiveness and tenacity.

"We need to be aggressive from start to finish, not just when I tell the guys to turn it up," Komlev said. "I'm still waiting until we are able to use our good shape to all get after it in the ring."

Penn State travels once again next weekend, this time to Gettysburg University, where scheduled sparring sessions will most likely be converted into an invitational. Either way, Komlev expects another good week of practice, with all present and most healthy.