Boxing punching their way into spotlight

By Eric Nelson

For four years seniors Luis Sierra and Pat Welde have battled in the ring, gloves fixed tightly on their hands.

Probably some of the most overlooked student athletes on campus today, Sierra and Welde have pushed each other since day one, after becoming hooked to the sport of boxing.

Never seeking the glitz and the glam and only taking credit where credit is given, the two boxers have made sacrifices that your average student would find hard to comprehend. With graduation approaching, Sierra and Welde will entertain their final shot at nationals and everlasting glory.

Having placed sixth at nationals in their respective weight classes as sophomores, both Welde and Sierra have experienced a rollercoaster of a senior year. After dropping down a weight class, Sierra encountered some bad luck, hyper-extending his arm in a fight at regionals and ending his season earlier then anticipated. Welde, however, was able to cement another bid to nationals, where he will be competing at West Point, NY, in the 139 lbs. weight class this week.

But despite the recent success of the club boxing program, the boxing team remains somewhat in the shadows on campus.

Every year 40-50 Santa Clara students come out to the first few practices. Most commonly witnessed clogging up the far-most court during winter quarter, passersby pause to gaze through the windows on their way to the Malley gym.

By the end of the season that number will have inevitably dwindled to a small handful. Along with the core of Sierra, Welde and President of the organization, Katie Lydens, this year's team was particularly successful with the addition of three new members who stayed put until the end.

"Sticking with it is a sacrifice, but it just makes you that much hungrier when you step into the ring," comments Sierra. "When you're trying to keep a certain weight and stay in shape you can't necessarily go out and drink every night, but being in that sort of shape really gives you confidence in and out of the ring."

"By the end of my junior season the only people that were left were Luis, Katie and I," comments Co-Captain Welde. "That's why this year it was really heartening to see three guys stick it out even if they only competed in one bout among the three of them."

Senior Co-captain Sierra continued to elaborate on this point adding that, "with me and Pat leaving, Club Boxing is really looking for some kids to step up to continue the legacy. The money, support and alumni backing are all definitely there, it's just a matter of gaining more support from any students that are willing to give the sport of boxing a shot."

And while some students may shy away from the overly aggressive nature of the sport, Sierra and Welde emphasize that even if students do not want to compete competitively, there is still an opportunity for people to take advantage of the sport.

"There really is something for everybody," comments Sierra. "There is a main focus on just getting in shape during practice. Once you get to a level of fitness you can begin learning some of the technique and go from there."

"This sport is judged on your individual achievements, but in a deeper sense about the brotherhood that you establish with your teammates," added Welde.

So while Welde searches for his one shining moment in New York deep behind enemy lines at one of the top military academy's notorious for their boxing program, it seems only necessary for Santa Clara students to rally behind the program, and give boxing a shot.

Contact Eric Nelson ehnelson@scu.edu or (408) 551-1918.