LHU’s Hartzell Set for Boxing Nationals

LOCK HAVEN – This weekend will be the final collegiate boxing opportunity for Lock Haven University’s Leah Hartzell, but the Bald Eagle senior says she won’t be walking away from the sport upon her graduation next month.

Hartzell will be representing Lock Haven University at the National Collegiate Boxing Association championships in Reno, NV starting on Thursday. A national runner-up at 147 pounds as a junior, Hartzell said with improved footwork and in her ability “to cut off the ring,” she is hopeful for a championship. She said she “can’t wait” for her last collegiate bout and promises to “leave it all in the ring.” Among those in attendance will be her mother, flying in from their hometown of Danville.

Hartzell has been honing her style under head coach Ken Cooper and assistant and former Penn State boxing coach Bill Wrable in preparation for the tournament.

A fitness management major, Hartzell will graduate in May and head to Portland, OR in June to continue her involvement in the sport of boxing. She said she will be interning at a boxing gym there and will try out for the gym’s club team. She said boxing has become her passion during her time with Cooper’s LHU program and wants to share with others what she has learned from the sport.

The LHU participants are to depart from Harrisburg on Wednesday, boxing to begin Thursday at the Silver Legacy in Reno.