A Raider squad that struggled last week won every single fight at Saturday’s invitational from Lock Haven University’s Thomas Field House.
Ada Ibe, Tylik Guilford and Haziz Self represented the Shippensburg University boxing team and posted impressive results.
Ibe took the ring for Shippensburg at 132 pounds two weeks removed from falling in her first career bout. She fought Kiana Keoka of the Coast Guard Academy and went the distance to record her first career victory.
“That was a good fight, and she recorded her first ever win,” Shippensburg coach Travis Wylie said. “She definitely has improved a lot since the Shippensburg show (her first fight). She still looked a little tired but she really threw some effective shots and punches in the close split decision.”
Guilford took the ring next for the Raiders, and recorded an impressive victory over LHU’s Zack Rice, who finished third in nationals last season. Guilford, a national qualifier himself, fought Rice last year and lost. On Saturday he recorded a revenge win at 156 pounds, recording a third-round knockdown and picking up the victory in dominant fashion.
“I have been proud of Tylik all year,” Wylie said. “He’s been busting his butt and putting in quality time in the gym. I really think he has a good shot at a national championship title this year.”
Self, the final Raider in the weekend action, took on Patrick Doherty of Pennsylvania State University at 125 pounds. The freshman continued his impressive streak with a dominating win.
“Haziz just shows up to fight on fight night,” Wylie said. “He dominated his fight and looked like a contender. He just gets better each week, and I have high hopes for him at nationals.”
Shippensburg travels to the University of Maryland next Saturday for its last regular-season match. Wylie hopes for a 5-0 effort from his team in the weekend action.
From there the Raider lineup will take their chances at regionals from February 13-15, and qualifiers then move on to national championships in the second weekend of April.
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