Shippensburg wins home show 3-2

The Shippensburg University boxing team won 3 -2 last weekend at its annual home event.

The night started off poorly as Shippensburg lost its first two bouts, but quickly made a turn, coming back to win three-straight bouts. SU’s Brett Pastore fought the main event, earning a third-straight victory.

Boxing coach Travis Wylie was impressed with the team’s overall performance. He spoke highly of the performances from all of his fighters and even made light of a ring malfunction during one of the fights.

“What a wild match that was, in all my years of coaching I don’t know if I ever had a fight like that,” Wylie said, referring to multiple legs that had fallen over that were being used to keep the ring standing. Wylie said that he believed the team lived up to expectations and he maintains his high hopes going forward.

One of the standout performances that night was from Canar Morrison, a freshman on SU’s team. The home show was his sixth fight this season which he won by decision. Morrison fought with a very assertive style and controlled the action against Sean Donnelly of the University of Massachusetts. Morrison sited Wylie’s enthusiastic coaching style between rounds as a reason for his victory.

“I think it helps me a lot. It keeps me going and it keeps the energy up. He is in the fight and it shows that he cares too.” Morrison said. Fighting is not just a college hobby for Morrison as he hopes to one-day fight in the Olympics.

The Main Event of the evening pitted Shippensburg senior Brett Pastore against Benny Ogando of the United States Military Academy at West Point.

In a fight with intense back and forth action, Pastore managed to walk away with the win. The win correlates with the high goals he has set for himself this season of becoming a regional and national champion.

“Last year I got third place in Nationals. I had a close fight in the Semi [finals] that didn’t go my way. This year is going to be different.” Pastore said.

Coach Wylie mentioned that Pastore made his fight against the 6-1 fighter from the United States Military Academy at West Point, look easy, and that Pastore is the hardest working guy he has ever coached. Pastore comes from a wrestling background and has experience in boxing and mixed martial arts. Pastore aims to become a professional fighter after graduation.

The regional championships will be held in the first week of March. Based on results from regionals, fighters will be able to qualify for the national tournament.