University of Nevada-Reno Boxing Club Eight members of the UNR Boxing Club who will compete in the Collegiate Nationals April 12 - 14. Group includes Head Coach Mike Martino, assistants Pat Scmellin and Greg Rice.
If you go...
• Collegiate Nationals Boxing Event: Three days of amateur boxing excellence.
• Doors noon April 12, event 1 p.m.; doors 5 p.m. April 13, event 6 p.m.; April 14, doors 6 p.m., event 7 p.m.
• Eldorado Hotel Casino, 345 N. Virginia St., Reno
Tristan Rivera A mechanical engineering graduate student, Rivera has been boxing since his junior year as a an undergraduate at University of Nevada, Reno.
Two-time returning champ defends his title David Schacter, an international business student at UNR, will compete for his third title this year. His family from Las Vegas will be ringside to watch the fight.
Kenny Dyer-Redner Kenny Dyer-Redner; 185 lbs., an English major and aspiring writer, has 12 fights and is 9-and-3, going into the Collegiate Nationals Tournament.
Video: Eldorado Hotel Casino hosts Collegiate Nationals Boxing
Eight boxers from University of Nevada- Reno Club to compete
Amelia Calvert, reno.com March 28, 2007
University of Nevada-Reno's 'Elite Eight' compete in Collegiate Nationals Eight boxers from the University of Nevada, Reno qualified at the semi-finals in Las Vegas for the 2007 National Collegiate Boxing Championship at Reno's Eldorado Casino April 12, 13 and 14.
The following members will compete: at 125 lbs., Tristan Rivera; at 132 lbs. David Schacter,a two-time defending champ; 127 lbs. Thomas Gennaro, last year's title winner; 156 lbs., Francisco Torres; 165 lbs., Ryan Kotey; 175 lbs., Kenny Dyer-Redner; 185 lbs., Matt Johnson; and Heavyweight John Lorman.
Head Coach Mike Martino says this is the climax of the season. They have two returning Nationals winners and he is looking ahead to some very competitive fights.
Many of the major clubs are sending just as many competitors to the tournament. Navy is sending nine boxers, Air Force and Army eight, each, and last year's team title-winners University of Nevada-Las Vegas will have seven boxers in the tournament. Martino is expecting very competitive rounds with West Coast clubs heavily represented. "It should be a great three days," he said.
Wolfpack Tales: Collegiate boxers, students first David Schacter, an international business student at UNR, will compete for his third title this year. His family from Las Vegas will be ringside to watch the fight. Schacter is hoping for the whole third-time-charm thing, especially at home. After regionals he has a pretty good idea of what he is up against, but is confident that things will go his way as a returning champ with the best seed.
Schacter began boxing after being involved in a martial arts program. He knew UNR had a NCBA club, and joined. When asked about competing next year, he remained focused on the bout coming up. "Let's get through this year first." he said.
Many of the students who join the club are not new to athletics, but are new to boxing. Mechanical engineering graduate student Tristan Rivera has been boxing since he was an undergraduate in his junior year. He had played other sports and decided to give boxing a try. He was fighting at 119 lbs., but moved up to 125 lbs. when he discovered it was a more comfortable weight for his body. Staying at a low weight was taking its toll.
In addition to the training they do on their own, each boxer spends two hours a night, six days a week at the club sparring, working the bags, jumping rope and shadow boxing. The club emphasizes instruction, so members spend a lot of time training.
Thomas Gennaro combines isometric and cross training in his workout to stay in shape. Each member also runs every day to increase endurance. The level of commitment the students have to their sport is admirable, considering they are college students and may have families, jobs or outside interests. Dyer-Redner, who has had 12 fights, is 9-and-3, is an English major and aspiring writer.
One payoff for the dedication is the level of athleticism they achieve. They admit the initial shock of the first workouts was exhausting, but they enjoy being in good physical condition.
Rivera rests up for a fight, expends all his energy in the ring - to the point where he can hardly catch his breath after a fight -- then resets his body and replenishes -- only to get up and do it all again, training for the next bout.
"Then it's back to the grind," Rivera says. "And that's what it is... a grind." But the wide smile across on his flushed, dripping face says its all worth it.
While Rivera spends time training for the fight, he also says he requires a lot of good rest. He makes sure to get plenty of sleep before the bout. Being well-rested is a key to his success.
Boxing requires strength and endurance, but there is also a high level of mental stamina that goes into competition. Boxers have to get themselves into a positive headspace, confidence rolling out of their pores like sweat. Rivera admits he faltered in his first fight, but much to his credit, he has moved beyond that and now welcomes the competition.
The 2007 Roster as posted in the January issue of Wolf Pack Edge UNR paper is as follows: Don Lundquist, Tristan Rivera, David Schacter, Francisco Torres, Thomas Gennaro, Ryan Kotey, Jacob Demier, Peter Deringer, Jason Case, Josh Sollinger, Kenny Dyer-Redner, Matt Johnson, Alex Padilla and John Lorman.
Pack members spar, train and workout to prepare for bouts
The University of Nevada, Reno Boxing Team hosts the 2007 National Collegiate Championships. Cheer on the hometown Wolf Pack as they take on top fighters from schools across the country. From Straw-weight to Lightweight, Cruiserweight to Heavyweight each weight division will be represented in three days of amateur boxing excellence.
Student-athletes will represent boxing teams from: Citadel Gettysburg University Lock Haven University Miami of Ohio Penn State San Jose State Santa Clara University University of California Berkeley University of Kentucky University of Michigan University of Nevada, Reno University of Nevada, Las Vegas U.S. Air Force Academy U.S. Coast Guard Academy U.S. Military Academy West Point U.S. Naval Academy VMI
For a complete schedule of Collegiate Nationals Reno Events, click here
Collegiate Nationals Boxing at the Eldorado Casino Doors open noon Thursday, April 12, with the first bout at 1 p.m. Friday, April 13 doors open at 5 p.m. with bouts beginning at 6 p.m. and Saturday, April 14, doors open at 6 p.m. with bouts at 7 p.m. Don't miss the incredible match-ups with the Wolf Pack Team.
Tickets may be purchased at the Eldorado Showroom Box Office and by calling 800-648-5966 or (775)786-5700 in Nevada. Parking is easy and free in valet, the Eldorado's parking garage or new surface parking lot.
See the boxing stars of tomorrow as they perfect their skills!
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