With the ding of the bell and the referee’s shout of “Box!” the two fighters came surging out of their corners. The bout was on.
36 boxers from 11 schools duked it out across the mat in Shippensburg University’s Henderson Gymnasium on Saturday, Feb. 13. Students from Lock Haven University, Trinity College, West Virginia University and even West Point and Annapolis showed up to compete at the 2016 Shippensburg University Boxing Invitational.
The invitational consisted of two sets of bouts, separated by a ten-minute intermission. Shippensburg won all three of its bouts prior to the intermission, with SU’s Ryan Allen triumphing over Miami University boxer Brian Hussel, while Pasang Sherpa beat WVU boxer Jeremy Pagon and Nate Sanders won out against Miami boxer Troy Webster.
The second half of the night was a little bit bumpy for SU, with Brendan Murray losing out to LHU boxer Colton Killion. Then Brett Pastore brought the team back, delivering a beating to LHU fighter Cristain Morales. Unfortunately, SU was unable to keep the comeback alive, with WVU boxer Kevin Fuss beating out SU’s Shaliq Ings in the third-to-last bout of the night.
After a bout between WVU’s Dan Gibson and West Point’s Anders Freiburg, it was time for the main event. SU’s Tylik Guilford faced off against West Point boxer Josh Melendez, with Guilford taking the main event for SU in an explosive finish.
“I’m very proud of all my guys,” Coach Travis Wylie said. “They fought their hearts out and they sacrificed a lot and for me and I’m very proud of them.”
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