2
INSider
The observer | FRIDAY, March 1, 2019 | ndsmcobserver.com
Angelotti continues to develop ties with mission By ALEX BENDER Sports Writer
As a sophomore transfer from Michigan State, Dominic Angelotti immediately got involved with Bengal Bouts. Now four years later as he wraps up his MBA, Angelotti is in his second year as a captain, and he said it has meant a lot to him along the way to be able to continue to become more involved and learn more about all of the good the event brings. “Every year you get deeper and deeper into the mission, learning more about where the money is going, and I think especially as a captain I’ve learned this,” Angelotti said. “My first year as a captain I was learning all of this and how we raise it, and my second year I’ve gotten to dive even deeper into that. We have a better idea of, ‘Well, we tried this last year and this worked and these didn’t,’ so we can keep trying to improve. As much as I think from the outside it can seem like a well-oiled machine where you just get a lot of guys to show up and run the program, it’s kind of surprising how much you can play around with it and tinker, and I think that’s kind of interesting.” Angelotti said the mission of Bengal Bouts means a lot to him. Working toward providing for the impoverished in Bangladesh has been a huge part of this whole process for him, but along the
way he’s gotten to know quite a bit about himself as well. “Wins and losses teach you a lot in the ring and you learn a lot about yourself physically in terms of physical barriers, but more so you learn what mental barriers you can actually surpass,“ Angelotti said. ”There are a lot of challenges that I know I’ve personally had, and you hear stories from others about these hardships and things you can’t prepare for. It provides an opportunity to learn about yourself — especially when things go wrong — and it’s about how you bounce back from it. Everything is a learning experience, and I think that’s kind of cool.” A big aspect of all that goes into Bengal Bouts is the sense of camaraderie among the fighters, and it’s certainly something Angelotti said he has felt throughout his four years participating in the event. “We always say to end every fight with a hug or a handshake, so as soon as the fight is over, guys come back before they raise the winner’s hand and do that, or even as soon as that final bell rings,” he said. “You get in the ring and it’s like, ‘Yes, we are opponents, and I want to win the fight as bad as you do,’ but as soon as that last bell rings, we’re teammates and we realize everything we’re doing is toward a bigger cause. At the end of the day we both won because we both helped with the mission and we
helped to raise money.” Despite the individual accountability the bouts require, Angelotti made a point to note the importance of a team effort. “There really aren’t losers because we’re all on the same team, so it’s a really unique blend,“ he said. ”Obviously it’s an individual sport, and you’re out there alone in the ring, but at the end of the day you are on a team with 150 other guys. It’s an interesting dynamic that I don’t think a lot of other sports have.” With his time as a part of Bengal Bouts nearly complete, Angelotti — who lost in the semifinal round Monday — is preparing to move on, as next year he will be working as a consultant in Washington D.C. He said he hopes Bengal Bouts “can continue to expand” in the coming years as everyone involved works toward a great cause. “We obviously get great turnouts every year, and I think this year we have around 120ish or so guys,” Angelotti said. “We’re pretty consistently around that number, but it would be great moving forward if we can increase the money we raise and increase the participation and even just continue to raise awareness of the fights. However possible, keep growing bigger and see where it can go.” Contact Alex Bender at abender@nd.edu
ALLISON THORNTON | The Observer
Graduate student Dominic Angelotti, left, swings at his opponent in the opening round of Bengal Bouts on Feb. 14 in the Dahnke Ballroom. Angelotti, who is currently pursuing an MBA, is a two-time captain.
Bouts combine Feijoo’s many interests By CHARLIE ORTEGA GUIFARRO Sports Writer
Bengal Bouts captain Michael Feijoo enjoys the boxing club not just because he likes the athletic challenge, but because it provides something more meaningful: care. The hundreds of hours Feijoo has put into his boxing career at Notre Dame help the fundraising efforts of the Holy Cross missions in Bangladesh. Bengal Bouts does more than just please fans — it serves hundreds of people. Feijoo first started his Bengal Bouts journey his freshman year, joining the training regimen because of his fear of gaining the “freshman 15,” he said. He got his “butt kicked” the first day of practice. Feijoo said he realized the rumor that the boxing workouts were tough was an understatement. The now-senior stayed on with the boxing program after that first practice and soon learned more about the charitable aspects of the club. He heard from guys who had been to Bangladesh talk about how they had seen first-hand the difference that their fundraising was making. They talked about building a school, providing health care and sharing the teachings of Jesus with people who were less financially fortunate in the South Asian nation. Feijoo said he learned many life lessons that he now carries into the ring through his experiences in Bengal Bouts and as a student. Through boxing, he learned to push forward, to remind himself to simply remember why he was boxing when it became difficult. “When things get tough, I think back — ‘What is this for?’ It’s not for me, it’s for [those who benefit from the fundraising of Bengal Bouts],” Feijoo said. “I’m challenging myself not for the benefit of me, but for the benefit of them.” Through his trips with Timmy Global Health — a non-profit organization that provides sustainable healthcare to a handful of LatinAmerican countries — Feijoo said he’s learned to be grateful for all the blessings in life. He cited his time with the organization in Quito, Ecuador, as one of his greatest memories as a Notre Dame student. “A favorite moment of mine was being [in Quito] and seeing [the faces of those we helped] light up, just being so grateful that I was able to help provide healthcare,” Feijoo
said. “Little did they know that I was incredibly grateful to be there to help them, to be humbled by them and to learn from them.” For Feijoo, service in developing countries has provided perspective throughout his four years at the University. “I learned to be grateful for the smallest things in life, to realize how fortunate I am but also to learn from them on how one can be so happy with so little in life,” he said. “You don’t need a lot to be happy, and you should be grateful for everything that you have in life. It was a humbling experience.” A theology and pre-health major combination suits Feijoo best, he said. To him, theology is like learning the human experience and the way that people find meaning in life. He said he is passionate about learning how Jesus’s compassionate and loving teachings came to be, and how he lived. Meanwhile, Feijoo’s prehealth major is in line with his long-term goal of completing his medical school degree. He said he wants to be a physician who has genuine connections and long-term relationships with his patients, and to incorporate his theology background into his work. “From my experiences, I’ve really appreciated the honor and the trust to care for those who are vulnerable,” Feijoo said. “With theology, I’m incorporating it because a lot of the texts that I read involves a lot of compassion and a lot of love. And I want to integrate that compassion, that love and that care within medicine as a physician.” While some may perceive boxing to be in opposition to compassion and love, Feijoo argues that boxing is a sport, not actual fighting. And the way he shows his care for others is through respect. Respect for the sport and respect for his opponent. Feijoo’s “boxing family,” as he calls the other members of Bengal Bouts, all train and practice and struggle together. He said he has a lot of respect for whomever he fights because, at the end of the day, they’re his teammates. That’s why at the end of every bout, Feijoo said, he makes sure to hug his teammate — for honor, for respect. Feijoo will get one last chance for a post-fight hug on Friday during the final round of this year’s Bengal Bouts. Contact Charlie Ortega Guifarro at cortegag@nd.edu
INSIDER
ndsmcobserver.com | Friday, March 1, 2019 | The Observer
Giordano ready for redemption in final round By ELLEN GEYER Associate Sports Editor
When he arrived on campus his freshman year, Montana Giordano had no idea what was in store for him at Notre Dame — and he certainly had no idea what was in store for him as a member of Bengal Bouts. But regardless, the senior from Belle Chasse, Louisiana, has become an integral part of the organization, despite not having intentions of joining the club when he decided to come to South Bend for college. “I was looking for an [extracurricular], and Bengal Bouts caught my attention,” Giordano said in an email. “I have stuck with it through the [years] because I enjoy the brotherhood the club has to offer and the incredible service opportunity of helping the Holy Cross [missions] in Bangladesh.” Over the years, Giordano has steadily risen to the top of the club he once knew nothing about, proving himself as both a leader and an athlete. His senior season has been no exception: Giordano has excelled both in and out of the ring, being chosen as one of eight captains and advancing to the finals in the 202lbs. weight class. The Alumni Hall senior has cruised through both the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds this year, beating both of his opponents by unanimous decision. In the quarterfinals, Giordano bested Duncan senior Conner Futa, and in the semifinals he overcame a late rally from Knott sophomore Andrew Sharpe to punch his ticket to the final competition. Now, Giordano looks ahead to a matchup against a fellow senior, Jack McDermott, a native of O’Neill Family Hall, who also won his semifinal fight via unanimous decision. Looking forward to one of the biggest fights of his career, Giordano said he still cherishes the very first time he ever stepped into the ring, citing it as one of the best things about being part of the club. “My favorite memory was walking into the ring for my first bout freshman year,” Giordano said. “There was lots of nerves and excitement to finally get in the ring.” With the first fight of his freshman year, Giordano started
Please recycle The Observer.
himself down a path of legacy within the club, earning himself a spot in the finals each and every year that he has competed. But each year — just like his opponent in Friday’s bout — he has fallen short of the ultimate title. As a freshman, Giordano fell to Pat Gordon, a then-sophomore from Keough Hall, in the 207-lbs. division. The subsequent year, Giordano fought valiantly in the 199-lbs. division but ultimately lost to then-Dillion senior and club president Jack Considine. Despite the loss he suffered in 2017, Giordano cites the fight as an important moment for him. “My favorite fight was my sophomore year final against Jack [Considine],” Giordano said. “There wasn’t much defensive involved, and we both gave it everything we had.” Last year, Giordano once again faced off against an older student and club captain, and he found himself unable to finish the job as a result. In the 204-lbs. division, then-senior Jackson Wrete immediately put Giordano on the defensive, with both men fighting aggressively until the end. Now in his senior season, Giordano is finally in the position that his opponents have been in the past few years. As a senior and captain, Giordano will look to capitalize on his experience and fitness in what will be the final fight of his career. Regardless of the immense success he has had as a threetime finalist, Giordano doesn’t cite the fighting as the best part about being a member of Bengal Bouts. “The most valuable part of this experience is knowing that you will have a real impact on the lives of others through our support for the Holy Cross missions in Bangladesh,” Giordano said. Having made an impact in the program throughout the years, Giordano will look to finally capture the ever-elusive title that he’s been searching for the past four years. But even after the final bell rings Friday, Giordano knows Bengal Bouts won’t actually be over for him. “The bonds I have made in this club will last forever,” he said. on somebody else in the world.” Contact Ellen Geyer at egeyer1@nd.edu
3
Bengal Bouts connections run deep for Krecek By MIKE EVERETT Sports Writer
Senior Michael Krecek has participated in Bengal Bouts in all four of his years at Notre Dame. The LaGrange, Illinois, native discussed his unique family connection to Notre Dame boxing and how he came to enter the sport’s tradition. “There are a few kids in the club who are like me, but my grandfather competed here back in the ’50s doing boxing,” Krecek said. “I don’t think he was in the actual Bengal Bouts because that was more of the premier tournament back then … so I got exposed to it that way, as well as through a friend of the program, Terry Johnson — his son was one of my classmates in high school.” Krecek planned in high school that he would fight in the tournament. “I knew from about my junior year that if I came to Notre Dame I was going to do boxing,” he said. A finance major with studio art and actuary minors, Krecek is now a part of the Bengal Bouts brotherhood. The Morrissey senior reflected on the value he sees in the men’s boxing club on both a personal and global scale. “It’s really been one of the
coolest things I’ve done here,” Krecek said. “Aside from the fact that you get to compete and fight, and see the glory of all the people who came before — that’s awesome, but the fact that you get a good community of guys together — I know that my community of friends is significantly larger because of boxing — and on top of that, doing a tremendous amount of good along the way. Over the four years I’ve been here, the club has raised close to a million dollars, which is tremendous. That’s what has kept me around more than anything else — the people, and the good that we do. Obviously fighting and staying in shape is just secondary to all that.” Krecek said his role as a captain of the club has shifted his relationship to the group as a leader of the program. “Being a captain hasn’t necessarily changed the amount of time that I spend here at practice because I was always in and out here — you only get good if you spend time on it,” Krecek said. “... It’s not more physically taxing, but it’s a lot more mentally taxing. Just trying to help kids figure out what’s up with their own boxing issues, or helping them figure out how to best develop as a boxer
in the ring when you’re cornering for someone. That’s been one of the more interesting dynamics.” Krecek also highlighted his changed perspective on the fundraising mission of the club itself and the amount of effort and teamwork that goes in to making the mission a reality. “Another thing that’s given me a different view is that from the outside it looks so official and it’s such a well-organized club, but at the end of the day, it’s just a bunch of kids — it’s really insane to see that,” he said. Krecek won the championship last year in a highly unusual tied victory. The “Mayor of Flavortown” has won his first two fights this year and will again be competing in the finals of the 185-lb. weight division Friday. The senior said his mentality heading into his final fight is keeping success at the forefront of his mind. “I’d just like to go out on top,” Krecek said. “I know that’s kind of a cliché thing to say, but if you look across the sports world, not a lot of people get to end their career with a win, so I’d really like to achieve that.” Contact Mike Everett at meverett@nd.edu
McDermott remains optimistic on journey By CARLOS De LOERA Sports Writer
Boxing is a fierce sport filled with intense faces that indicate pain, tiredness, anger and, in some cases, fear. But senior captain Jack “Smiles” McDermott, as his nickname indicates, is all smiles. “I really enjoying boxing,” McDermott said. “The majority of the times the managers will see me and they’ll be coming around with cameras, and I’d always just have a smile on my face.” Even his pre-fight routine reflects McDermott’s light demeanor. “[Before each fight,] I actually listen to really positive music, happy-vibe music because I really love getting in the ring and boxing,” McDermott said. “And I come into the ring with a positive outlook. I’m just really happy to be there. Ten minutes before [a fight], when I’m done warming up for the most part, just dressed and everything, then I’ll put on the more intense [music].” As someone who has recently discovered the relaxing joy of painting and as a an avid card-game player, McDermott understands the need to maintain a light and relaxed attitude. Despite his laidback and sunny disposition, the senior representing O’Neill Hall is a fierce competitor. He has reached
the finals in his weight class every year since his freshman year, but has yet to win in the championship round. McDermott would like to change that, but he said he realizes winning isn’t everything. After his finals-match loss last year, McDermott still came out of the fight content. “I had an absolute blast the entire time through — even when the announcement came, I still had a massive smile on my face,” McDermott said. “It’s so much more than the end result. You can still learn so much from a fight.” McDermott now calls that match his most meaningful. “That was the first fight where I really reached a new level,” he said. “Having no energy left and finding something left. I don’t know, it’s like pushing yourself to another level that you didn’t know existed. Reaching that new level was exciting.”] McDermott knows he is able to reach these new levels of ability because of all the support he has received through the years from his corner. “Achieving [these new highs] just isn’t possible unless you have a whole bunch of people cheering in your corner,” he said. “[My parents] come to almost every fight. My mom can’t. She turns her head a lot. Everyone in the corner
is super important to me. In this year’s finals, McDermott will face Montana Giordano, a fellow senior captain who has also reached the finals every year and failed to win. And while McDermott would obviously like to grab the win Friday, he is ready for any result and is keeping it all in perspective. “I want to make sure that I already know that I’ve had an awesome season and a super, super fun time regardless of the outcome,” McDermott said. “At the end of the day, as long as I get to push myself to my absolute limit, that’s what I’m looking for in this match.” This balance of competitiveness and improvement is what McDermott believes makes Bengal Bouts such an exceptional program. “It’s a special club because you wouldn’t have the physical and aggressive side without the emphasis placed on the service aspect or the camaraderie between people, between teammates. Especially after fights, you see [competitors] hugging,” McDermott said. “You couldn’t really have one without the other. I think there’s a very unique balance between service and aggression.” Contact Carlos De Loera at cdeloera@nd.edu
4
INSider
The observer | FRIDAY, march 1, 2019 | ndsmcobserver.com
142 pounds
148 pounds
Dan Wilborn vs Aidan Becklund
Joe Purcell vs Leonard Calvo
PATH TO THE FINALS
PATH TO THE FINALS
Wilborn def. Jason Lokhorst in preliminaries def. Robert Hernandez in quarterfinals Becklund is the kind Wilborn’s fighting style def. Diego Arias in is gritty as he mainof fighter who uses his semifinals tains a high volume of reach to his advantage. punches throughout the Becklund A tall fighter for his fight. His opponents def. Colin Capece in weight class, Becklund often have much longer preliminaries has a strong defensive reaches, but that does def. Conor McCon- style. He dances around the ring, keeping his opnot stop Wilborn from ville in quarterfinals pushing into the body ponent at bay. He forces def. Evan Muller in his opponents to bring and keeping the fight semifinals intense the entire time. the fight to him.
Purcell def. Phil Park in preliminaries def. Tom Walsh in quarterfinals def. Dominic Angelotti n semifinals
168 pounds
Purcell starts off fights by using his reach to his advantage. He keeps his opponents at bay, tiring out his opponents and allowing Purcell to modify his fighting style later in the fight, keeping less distance and landing more punches than he did at the beginning.
Calvo is a smaller fighter who uses his size to his advantage. He dodges under his opponent’s Calvo punches and then gets def. Clay Talbot in up quickly, often landing preliminaries def. Danny Rogers in multiple blows to the head and body this way. quarterfinals Calvo makes up for his def. Ryan Smith in lack of size with detersemifinals mination and intensity.
173 pounds
Taylor Vucinich vs Ryan Green
Dan O’Brien vs Jay Eversole
PATH TO THE FINALS
PATH TO THE FINALS
Vucinich def. Sam Curry def. Alex Athenson in quarterfinals def. Tommy Perea in Vucinich, an Alumni ju- semifinals The Keough senior makes it look easy nior, is a power fighter. He is not afraid to go Green as he commands the for the big hit, even if tempo of his fights def. Munyen Loi that leaves him vulnerwith a calm demeanor. def. Brian Duffy in able on the other end. quarterfinals By allowing his oppoIn his semifinals match, def. Josh Tabar in nent come to him, he Vucinich’s conditioning semifinals is able to conserve his energy, which he uses was on display as he went three full rounds to get the upper hand with nonstop action. in later rounds.
O’Brien def. Samuel De La Paz def. Jacob Petersen in quarterfinals The sophomore from def. Thomas Hintz in Eversole is one of the more defensively O’Neill Family Hall is semifinals equipped with toughsound fighters this ness and resiliency. In year. His ability to Eversole his last fight, O’Brien dodge punches and def. Jared Walsh got pummeled in the def. Charlie Puntillo convert those misses second round, but came in quarterfinals into counter-punches back and took care of is unmatched. Hopefuldef. Jack Rodgers in ly the phrase “defense business. He has proven semifinals he can’t counted out in wins championships” a fight. holds true for him.
BRIDGET DONNELLY | The Observer
Junior Taylor Vucinich prepares to receive a hit during the opening round of Bengal Bouts on Feb. 14 in the Dahnke Ballroom. Vucinich, a resident of Alumni Hall, defeated all three of his opponents by unanimous decision and will face off against Ryan Green, a Keough senior, on Friday for the chance to own the 168-lbs. title.
INSIDER
ndsmcobserver.com | Friday, march 1, 2019 | The Observer
157 pounds
160 pounds
Michael Feijoo vs Kyle Mettler
Nick Kiene vs Luke Fraser
PATH TO THE FINALS
PATH TO THE FINALS
Feijoo def. Peter Gould in preliminaries def. Michael Perenich in quarterfinals Feijoo has a low, stealthy Mettler might best be def. Henry Davis in compared to a Rock fighting style that allows semifinals him to seem as if he’s ’Em Sock ’Em Robot, always one step ahead The Alumni sophomore Mettler of his competitor. Once has an aggressive fightdef. John Di Lella in he has roped his oppo- preliminaries ing style which allows him to land the homenent in, he uses his quick def. Drew Curtin in hands to throw punches quarterfinals run hits, but that rein flurries. Technique ally relies on his strong def. Aidan Dillon in and timing are key for conditioning and ability semifinals this fighter. to attack in flurries.
Kiene def. Joe Sweilem in preliminaries bye in quarterfinals def. Marcelo Castellanos in semifinals
185 pounds
Kiene lets his opponent become the aggressor while he methodically Fraser breaks them down. At bye in preliminaries times he looks gassed def. John Mullen in late into rounds, but quarterfinals what he lacks in condidef. Luke Rafferty in tioning, he makes up for semifinals in elusiveness and savvy to hold onto his command of a match.
Fraser’s strength lies in his conditioning. His ability to move around in later parts of a round help him take advantage of tired opponents. He has a strong ability to counter his opponent’s moves and control the tempo of the fight.
202 pounds
Michael Krecek vs Eric Requet
Montana Giordano vs Jack McDermott
PATH TO THE FINALS
PATH TO THE FINALS
Krecek bye in preliminaries def. Ross McIlvaine in quarterfinals def. Dennis Krivda in Krecek has earned his Requet’s ability to semifinals bounce back from role in Bengal Bouts not just because of his vet- Requet an unfavorable openeran status, but because ing round in his most def. Jack Bigej of his ability to domidef. Tait McGlinn in recent bout and win nate. The Morrissey is a testament to his quarterfinals Manor senior maintains tenacity. Requet has a def. Cam Nolan in a high composure inside semifinals knack for adjusting well throughout the fight the ring that allows him to stay 110 percent to what his opponent focused. throws at him.
Giordano bye in preliminaries def. Connor Futa in quarterfinals def. Andrew Sharpe in semifinals
Giordano’s offense includes an element that he’s learned through his McDermott ROTC work as well as bye in preliminaries his years participating in bye in quarterfinals Bengal Bouts: patience. def. Patrick O’Shea He doesn’t need to in semifinals force anything, he just needs to deliver when he has the chance to be in good position.
Another captain, McDermott is methodical in his approach. The senior will start the fight by trying out different combinations and offenses.. More importantly, he likes to test out his opponent’s quickness and responsiveness to punches.
Heavyweight
Nick Waytula vs Ryan Richelsen PATH TO THE FINALS Waytula bye in preliminaries bye in quarterfinals def. Ali Thomas Jr. in semifinals
Waytula commands one of the most Richelsen interesting swaggers bye in preliminaries in the tournament. bye in quarterfinals His height makes for def. Fr. Nathan a bit slower footO’Halloran in semifiwork than most, but nals his punching is still quick. He can counter well when pitted against the ropes.
The final captain to book his ticket to the championship round, Richelsen is another talent with a swagger. Richelsen has a lethal uppercut punch. He also has the tank to go on punching frenzies, and it will be a muchanticipated final-round.
For live updates during Friday’s finalround bouts, follow us on Twitter.
@ObserverSports
5
6
INSider
The observer | FRIDAY, march 1, 2019 | ndsmcobserver.com
Nolan motivated by fundraising efforts By GRANT DelVECCHIO Sports Writer
For senior Cam Nolan, becoming a Bengal Bouts fighter was originally an attempt to build strong camaraderie w ith fellow classmates while also satisf y ing an innate competitive desire. “I joined my freshman year, I came out for the first practice and I was immediately hooked. The competition, the challenge and the brotherhood all really spoke to me,” the former Duncan Hall resident said. “[Box ing] was just something I picked up freshman year here, I had just heard about the club and decided to give it a tr y.” Despite losing in the semifinal round of the Bouts in a hard-fought battle in which the judges originally had a split decision, what kept Nolan in the ring was always much deeper than simply satiating his competitive hunger. Ever y summer, four boxers get to travel to Bangladesh to spend two months at the
Holy Cross missions there. Nolan, one of the eight captains of Bengal Bouts, said he was luck y enough to embark on this transformative journey. “After freshman year, I had the opportunit y to spend two months in Bangladesh, and I got to see first-hand the impact that we have, and it was unbelievable. It has lit a fire underneath me to fundraise, to train, to help keep this club alive and to help grow this club,” Nolan said. “W henever I’m struggling, whenever we have a tough practice or a tough day, I think about those kids and I think about how what we do here directly helps so many children on the other side of the world, and that allows me to overcome a lot of challenges and has given me a lot of motivation to work hard for this club.” Nolan’s experiences in Bangladesh put things into perspective for him, especially in terms of the incredible fundraising platform that this box ing club
prov ides. “Ever since [the trip], I knew that this is a club that is bigger than myself,” he said. “It is a force for good, and I realized my responsibilit y in working to make sure the club continues to grow, make money, train and grow students at the Universit y.” Seeing the impact that his hard work and long hours have on kids hundreds of miles away has prov ided all the validation Nolan needs in terms of why he’s doing what he’s doing, he said. Nolan explained that the money raised goes to missions ser v ing various indigenous communities, and these missions in turn, “prov ide education for the children and hostels if their homes are too far from school. The parishes ser ve as centers for so many of these tribal communities.” In terms of the future takeaways that competing in Bengal Bouts w ill leave Nolan w ith as he commences his journey into the real
world, Nolan was adamant that the lessons learned from his experiences w ill be ones that he carries w ith him for the rest of his life, independent of the career path he chooses. “I think the amount of discipline, character and courage it takes is really tremendous. The abilit y to go out there under the lights and do something truly difficult … it’s hard,” Nolan said. “To perform well, you have to put in months and months of hard work, months of focus and really you have to never let up. If that doesn’t teach you how to succeed in life, nothing w ill.” Of the many responsibilities for captains, including leading workouts and making sure fight nights run smoothly, Nolan said he has enjoyed the fundraising effort most. To Nolan, learning exactly where the money goes and how the lives of the people of Bangladesh are forever changed is more rewarding than any w in could ever be.
He said he also appreciates watching the transformation of younger boxers, having gone through it himself. “As a senior, watching the growth and discipline and maturity, knowing I was on the other side four years ago, it’s something I couldn’t have learned through anything else,” Nolan said. The message and advice Nolan has for anybody who is on the fence about joining, or who is planning on partaking in the years to come is simple: Give it everything you have. “Something I was telling some of the guys last night is to pour your heart into it,” Nolan said. “What you get out of this club is directly proportional to what you put in, so fully commit to it and what you’re going to get out isn’t just boxing skills, but the maturity, the character, the discipline that will allow you to conquer and overcome so many challenges further down the road.” Contact Grant DelVecchio at gdelvecc@nd.edu
Richelsen hungry for first title in the ring By JOE EVERETT Sports Editor
Not just a heav y weight in the chelng, senior captain and club president Ryan Richelsen has taken charge of Bengal Bouts this year in all facets. Handling all the responsibilities and behindthe-scenes work that goes into running the club, as well as physically training in an intense setting for his fights themselves, Richelsen has dedicated himself to everything that the Bengal Bouts stand for by firmly believing in the club’s mission. However, his rise to this extraordinary role started with a pretty ordinary story. “I guess it’s typical, but a lot of guys come to Notre Dame and they sign up for clubs. A lot of people played sports in high school, and so just finding an athletic outlet [is important]. I was at the activities fair, saw Notre Dame had a boxing club and thought it’d be really cool to join,” Richelsen said.
“Joined freshman year, lost my first-ever fight, and then stuck with it the next couple years, and each year gaining friendships, learning the sport better and really getting committed to it and then really buying into the whole fundraising aspect that we do for the Holy Cross missions.” Richelsen further explained that all the proceeds of the Bengal Bouts go to the Holy Cross missions in Bengladesh, but specifically toward education-based needs of the people there. “We provide tuition money for people in the rural areas, outcasts from the city and the main areas of Bangladesh,” Richelsen said. “So, this money’s going to people who are in really grave need of it.” Now, as president of the Bengal Bouts, that fundraising duty falls on his shoulders, along with everything else that goes into creating a four-round boxing tournament that over 120 guys compete in, capped off with a final round that is shown on
Write Sports. Email Joe at jeveret4@nd.edu
ESPN3. However, Richelsen says he enjoys all the extra responsibility that comes with the position, and credits the team around him for making his burden lighter. He also finds joy in watching guys improve and excel in their craft. “It’s been great — I’d say it gives me a whole new perspective on the club,” Richelsen said. “The guys, the other captains, the senior officers have all been an incredible help, and we have a lot of committed guys who are in the program. I can’t thank them enough — it’s been great. It has given me a new perspective on the scope and magnitude of the club, and everything that goes into the tournament. Working day-in and day-out with all the boxers and seeing the progress they’ve made from the very first day of practice to tournament time. They’re completely different boxers, and so that’s exciting to see.” However, for Richelsen, nothing gets him as excited
as finally getting the chance to step in the ring in front of a crowd and showcase the fruits of his labor. “There’s nothing like the tournament,” Richelsen said. “We’ve been practicing since October, so it’s four months of, almost every day, working out. To have it all pay off in the tournament is just incredible. The competition itself, the fans you have, just the atmosphere — everything around you is electric and exciting. It’s absolutely thrilling to be up there.” Perhaps this reward is why Richelsen is a believer in the process and the many long, toilsome hours spent preparing to fight. However, the senior captain finds purpose in his brothers within the club, who keep him inspired and motivated. “As far as every day practice goes, it’s tough. The practices push you mentally and physically, but it’s this sense of brotherhood that we’ve developed within the club,” Richelsen said. “Being
with the guys since Day One and just gaining friendships, relationships and working every day, side-by-side with these guys and knowing that all the effort that you put in is going towards a greater cause … and having that be the driving factor for doing one more pushup, squat or whatever we’re doing.” This Friday, Richelsen is set to compete in the finals of the heav y weight division. After being knocked out in this stage of the competition by a Bengal Bouts legend for the last couple years, Richelsen is eager for one last opportunity to finally hoist the trophy. “I’m really excited this year. The past two years I went to the finals up against our president from last year, Pat Gordon — incredible boxer,” Richelsen said with a laugh. “He’s the only guy I’ve lost to, so hoping to keep that streak going.” Contact Joe Everett at jeveret4@nd.edu
INSIDER
ndsmcobserver.com | Friday, March 1, 2019 | The Observer
7
Patience and hard work pay off for Wilborn By COLIN CAPECE Sports Writer
For fifth-year senior Bengal Bouts captain Dan Wilborn, the path to Friday’s 142-pound div ision final has certainly been unique. The Rochester, New York, native has overcome some difficult obstacles to reach this culmination of his box ing career. “If you would have told me at the end of my junior year that by my fifth year I would be fighting in the finals, I would have been amazed,” he said. Wilborn was a late arriver to the men’s box ing program, joining the club in his junior year after attending the bouts as a spectator his sophomore year. “I thought it was a really cool thing, and I thought I wanted to give it a tr y,” Wilborn said. “W hen I brought up the idea to some of my roommates, they all said there was no way I could box.” Despite the skepticism from his friends, Wilborn began attending practices that fall and was instantly draw n to the program. “I loved the intensit y of the workouts, I loved the team
atmosphere of the club and I decided that I would stick w ith it,” he said. Unfortunately for Wilborn, he became severely ill in December of his junior year, and was unable to recover in time to fight in the tournament. “Going and watching the bouts know ing that I missed out on the opportunit y to fight made me so angr y,” Wilborn said. “Realizing that I now only had t wo years left to fight motivated me more than any thing.” Determined to get back in the ring for his senior year, Wilborn made a renewed commitment to the program and took his training to another level. “I was at open g y m ever y day training hard, and by last year when I came in, I was in great shape and felt great about box ing again,” he said. The hard work in the offseason paid off for Wilborn, as he made a run to the semifinals in the 2018 tournament. This year, the captain is determined to finally capture the light weight title in his last year, and said his complete commitment to his craft has ultimately led him to this moment.
“I worked here at Notre Dame over the summer, and prett y much ever y day I came dow n to the g y m to train,” Wilborn said. “I was tr y ing to get in the mindset that I would be fighting on March 1 and that I would be ready when the day came. That day is almost here. This is what all the hard work has gone towards.” Each year, a number of students who are seniors like Wilborn decide to join Bengal Bouts before they graduate. The captain said these nov ices embody what the spirit of the club is all about. “I think a lot of seniors decide to join as kind of a bucket list thing, but a lot of guys really start to buy in and go all in,” Wilborn said. “For me as a guy who joined late, those guys are some of my favorite people. Even though they only get one year, they still push themselves to be the best boxers they can.” Wilborn approaches his role as a captain and his responsibilit y to mentor these nov ice boxers w ith the same kind of commitment he makes to his ow n training. His devotion to the other members of the club has been unwavering this year.
“As a captain, you have to remember to always put the club first,” Wilborn said. “If that means sticking around a little longer to work w ith a guy, or helping set up a ring up in Dahnke Ballroom, then that’s my responsibilit y.” Many of the younger club members place their trust in Wilborn come tournament time, and he said he is always w illing to be in a boxer’s corner. W hile he usually has many boxers to support, Wilborn said each fight is equally important. “I realized that during the tournament, I actually enjoy cornering more than I do competing. The satisfaction of seeing someone else fight their best fight because of your encouragement is truly amazing,” he said. “I have to put ever y thing I have into each bout I corner. A fight may be one of 10 for me that night, but to that guy in the ring, those three rounds mean ever y thing.” A nother aspect of the men’s box ing club Wilborn has found f ulf illing is the fundraising aspect of the tournament, as boxers work hard to raise money to support Holy Cross missions in Bangladesh. Wilborn believes this mission is what
creates the atmosphere of a team, even though box ing is an indiv idua l sport. “The f undraising is ever y thing for Benga l Bouts. It’s ama zing how w ith the money we raise, we support the construction of schools for some of the most impoverished people in the world, and k ids can eat for months at a time,” he said. “W hen you tie together the f undraising aspect w ith the box ing, you see great sportsmanship, and it reminds us a ll why we get in the ring to f ight. Even as t wo guys tr y to pummel each other, they hug at the end of the f ight k now ing they fought for a great cause. It gives us a purpose.” As his box ing career at Notre Dame draws to a close, Wilborn is ref lecting on the experience he said was the best decision he made in college. “I’ve thought a lot about what that f ina l moment in the ring w ill be like,” he said. “For me, w inning the title would be the culmination of a lot of hard work.” me so many cha llenges f urther dow n the road.” Contact Colin Capece at ccapece@nd.edu
ANNA MASON | The Observer
Bengal Bouts president Ryan Richelsen, second from right in the back, stands with his fellow senior captains, from left to right, Michael Krecek, Dominic Angelotti, Cam Nolan, Dan Wilborn, Michael Feijoo and Jack McDermott. Six of the eight captains of the club qualified for the finals, which will be held in Purcell Pavilion, in their respective classes.