For the past two weekends, Penn State students have stepped into the ring in Room 52 of the White Building trying to earn a spot on the boxing team.

Nearly 50 people packed themselves into the basement room during each of the tryouts on Nov. 8 and 16, which determined who would be added to the team to replace the boxers lost from last year. About 30 percent of the nearly 50 people who tried out are expected to make the team.

The sound of pads being punched while the boxers warmed up was overpowered by the constant yelling of the trainers as they shouted advice to the boxers in the ring. Meanwhile, the room grew hot from the outpouring of energy and emotion from each person in the room.

Unlike other sports, with athletes typically having a good amount of experience when they attend a tryout, many of the boxers were stepping into the ring to fight for the very first time. That was the case for sophomore William Seiberling.

"I tried to stay relaxed because you don't want to get into a bar fight," Seiberling said. "You train for so long, and it's over in a few minutes."

Senior Julian Wallace also got a taste of the action from within the ring for the first time on Nov. 8. He was one of several boxers who fought a second fight on Nov. 16.

"I was a little more level-headed after the second fight because I knew what to expect," Wallace said. "They said this was our last chance to get on the team, so I wanted to leave it all out there."

Boxing club coach Jack Rohrabaugh said many boxers get too amped for their first fight, and they become exhausted from the amount of adrenaline that starts flowing. He pointed out that a problem with many of the boxers trying out was they forgot to breathe and were tired by the second round.

Not all the boxers were seeing their first action during the tryouts. Senior Ian Odgers had some sparring experience prior to his two fights during the tryouts.

"I wasn't as anxious because I already sparred a few times, but I remember the first time I was really anxious," Odgers said.

Each boxer was intense and serious when he or she stepped into the ring, but outside of it everyone was supportive of each other. For sophomores Amanda Montemore and Kate Belnome, they even found support from the other boxer while in the ring.

"Kate is my friend, so I felt bad hitting her," Montemore said. "We had to keep from laughing, but we got some good hits in."

According to Belnome, sparring against a friend took away some of the jitters that many of the other boxers faced. Though she wasn't really nervous, she said there was a big adrenaline rush that had her shaking even after the match.

Every person who stepped into the ring was encouraged by the current members of the team, along with the others trying out. The positive attitude of everyone was a big help explained Belnome.

"The actual team members are really supportive," Belnome said. "They want us to learn, and it's the first time for most of us, so we're all on the same boat."

No matter what experience level the boxers had, Rohrabaugh was happy with everyone who tried out. He said everyone who trained to get to that point learned something about themselves, such as how to become a fighter and not a quitter.

"They had to do a lot to get here," Rohrabaugh said. "People should be proud of everyone that steps in this ring. They gained my respect, because 90 percent of boxing is having the guts to get in there."

Boxers succeed in NCBA fights

Two members of the Penn State Boxing team fought in National Collegiate Boxing Association fights in Pittsburgh Saturday.

Senior Jake Winowich and junior Travis Dinsmore traveled to the Pittsburgh Athletic Club to take part in two three-round bouts.

Winowich improved his record to 4-5 after he was declared the winner when his fight was stopped in the middle of the second round.

"I didn't fight my best, but I did enough," Winowich said. "I'd rather not fight well and win, so I can have an idea of what to improve on."

For Dinsmore, it was his first NCBA fight. Spectators, who dressed in suits, had to pay $100 for a seat at the event.

"Going into it, the atmosphere was a little intimidating, but it was exciting," Dinsmore said. "I did well the first two rounds, but got a little sloppy in the third. Overall it was great for a first fight."

Dinsmore fought a real boxer's fight, and was declared the decided winner after taking each of the three rounds, Rohrabaugh said.