Power Punches

Haymakers were landed, faces were bloodied and even some technical boxing was dished out at the annual Night of Boxing on Friday at the Elmo Derrico Gym.

The event, hosted by the Greenwave Takedown Club, is the Fallon wrestling program’s lone fundraiser of the year. A near packed house watched students compete in 14 bouts.

“We were very pleased,” said booster Robb Goings. “We were nervous at first. The overall event went well.”

In addition to the boxing, the club honored Fallon’s senior wrestlers with their own Senior Night. Fallon did not host a home dual meet last season, and therefore could not hold a Senior Night.

“We don’t know if we will do it next year,” Goings added. “It would be better if we could do it during the wrestling season.”

The girls’ main event, however, was an unorthodox bout as three fighters — Emily Coleman, Rileigh Ricken and Katelynn White — engaged in a trio of fights. Each fighter took turns fighting the other two for one, one-minute round each.

First, Coleman and Ricken squared off in a slugfest. Coleman landed several punishing blows, but Ricken came back swinging. Ricken was able to landed several of her own punches, but Coleman’s power was too much on the scorecard.

Coleman then took on White, a fiery, small and fast boxer who zipped around the ring. White, though, could not match Coleman’s power, although her speed was difficult for Coleman to handle.

In the finale, White and Ricken squared off, with Ricken landing several big punches. The judges, though, ruled Coleman the victor of the three-way bout.

“The boxing was a lot better than the guys thought it would be,” Goings said. “It was good and it went well.”

In the boys’ main event, Robert White, who on Thursday announced his intention to wrestling for Buena Vista University (Iowa), engaged in a spirited bout with Marcos Ledezma. After the final bell, though, White emerged victorious.

In one of the closest matches of the night, Trae Workman slipped past True Handley for a unanimous win. Both fighters pounded each other with vicious punches, but Workman landed a ferocious right hook late in the third period to lock up the win.

Also earning wins were Ryan Weirsman, Erin Paranuk, Taylor Bright, Sam Goings, Eddie Marquez, Anthony Sabatino, Brianna Richard, Trey McGowan, Billy Coleman and Ryan Merkley.

Merkley won the “Best Fighter” award after a technical beating over Russell Peterson. Merkley landed numerous power punches, and although he slipped to the canvas, was able to regroup and bloody Peterson’s nose.

As for the team competition, it was a tie as both the red and blue teams each won seven matches. The red team was coached by Dan Shaw and Dave Garcia, while the blue team was led by Ryan McCormick and Trevor de Braga.

The event, which spans more than two decades, raises funds for the wrestling program. Proceeds benefit the team’s travel, food and tournament fees, provides warm-up gear and more.

In addition, emcee Rich Evans acknowledged former coach Mitch Overlie, who was removed from coaching duties in February.

“Coach O is one of the best,” Evans told the crowd. “He is an inspiration to many students.”