Feb. 18, 2000

NOTRE DAME, Ind. — Ten area boxers hope to make their mark in the 70th annual Bengal Bouts, the University of Notre Dame’s club boxing tournament, that begins Feb. 25.

Leading the homegrown pack is junior team captain Josh Thompson, a Granger resident and Clay High School graduate. After an appearance in last year’s semifinals, Thompson is looking to take his experience the distance this year for his first title.

Granger resident Ben Dillon returns to compete in 2000 after also seeing semifinal action last year as only a freshman. He followed Thompson’s path to Notre Dame from Clay High School.

Don Penn, a senior from Mishawaka and Penn High School, lost a crowd-pleasing bout in ’99 with defending champion and current team captain Tom Biolchini.

Senior Mike Hammes also represented Mishawaka in the finals last year. Hammes, a St. Joseph’s High School graduate, also lost on a narrow decision.

Other local boxers for 2000 include Penn graduates Joey Leniski, Bill Ponko and Scootch Herrity — all from Mishawaka. South Bend’s St. Joseph’s and Adams High Schools are represented by Mark Criniti and Gavin Hagens, respectively. Senior Dave Frick will represent his hometown of Elkhart by way of Elkhart Memorial High School.

First-round action is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 25, at 7:00 p.m. EST, while the quarterfinal bouts round out the weekend on Sunday, Feb. 27, at 1:30 p.m. EST. The tournament continues with semifinals on Tuesday, Feb. 29, at 7:30 p.m. EST and peaks with the championship bouts on Friday, March 3, at 8:00 p.m. EST.

All competition is at the Joyce Center on the Notre Dame campus. Tickets are available through the Notre Dame Joyce Center ticket office (219-631-7356).

For more information, contact Josh Thompson at (219-634-2318 or Brian Hobbins at (219) 634-3346.