At the beginning of the season, it seemed highly improbable that Penn State boxing coach Alex Komlev would decide between two undefeated fighters to pick the team's last boxer at the Eastern Regional boxing tournament.

The prospect of two Penn State boxers with no previous ring experience finishing the season unbeaten was more unlikely than Mike Tyson publishing a children's book.

However, Komlev indeed had to make the tough call. Early in the week, Chuck Pagana, one of the team's leaders, in and out of the ring, this season, defeated pleasant surprise Fred Schneider in a "box-off" to win the final spot on the trip to Lock Haven this weekend. Komlev, who has done an excellent job dealing with an extremely young team in his first season as coach, said the box-off was the only way to choose the fighter for the 165-pound weight class at Regionals.

"I would have loved to take both because both have done a great job for us all season," Komlev said. "I'm happy for Chuck though. He's worked so hard all year."

Pagana will join Bret King, Vitaly Libman, and Chaz Khan in representing Penn State at the regional tournament. Fighters from Shippensburg, Virginia Military Institute, Army, Gettysburg and host team Lock Haven will battle the Lions, not only for the Eastern titles, but also for a trip to Nationals next weekend.

After a busy February portion of the season in which the Lions made four road trips, March has brought much-needed calm and rest to a worn-down team. Komlev and his squad said the break before this weekend's highly anticipated competition as a benefit, a time during which they can build confidence, work on conditioning and fundamentals, and mend injuries.

"We have been waiting for this trip to Lock Haven for a while," Komlev said. "We've been able to improve and build toward this. Even though Nationals is the end of our season, this weekend is a big stepping stone."

Since sparring sessions and practice can do little to mimic the speed or atmosphere of an actual fight, Penn State must work exceptionally hard to avoid a sluggish and rusty performance. King, a senior, and the rest of the team have expressed a confident tone in practice. Komlev said this group has marked this tournament on the calendar since the beginning of practice in January, and now is not the time to worry about lack of confidence or preparation.

"They could all win," Komlev said. "They should all win. I believe they will all win."

-- By Stephen Cappabianca