Three LHU Boxers at Nationals

LOCK HAVEN — Three Lock Haven University boxers have qualified for the annual National College Boxing Association championships set for this weekend in Sunrise, FL.

Making the trip will be one regional champ and two runners-up. Earning a championship at 185 pounds at the regional qualifier at West Point in mid-March was Zaire Ali, a junior from Plainfield, NJ, majoring in health and phys ed and criminal justice.

Regional second place finishers were: Ryan Thompson at 132 pounds, a senior from East Patchogue, Long Island, NY, a recreation management major with a focus on fitness; and Cristian Morales at 175 pounds, a freshman from Jonestown, his major undecided.

Team coach Ken Cooper said all three will be “very competitive” at nationals and all will have a chance at success.

The tourney will run from Friday through Sunday, the Friday/Saturday rounds at the Double Tree by Hilton Sunrise, Sawgrass Mills, with the championship round Sunday at the BT&T Center in Sunrise. Cooper is president of the NCBA and left earlier this week for Florida, to be followed at midweek by his boxers and assistant coach John Stout.