Print Edition of the Irish Insider of The Observer for Friday, March 3, 2017

Alcantara credits career to parents, coaches

By JOE EVERETT Sports Writer

For Alex Alcantara, vice president of the men’s boxing club and a senior captain from Wheaton, Illinois, Bengal Bouts means much more to him than his individual story and accolades.

The motto of the Bouts, “Strong bodies fight, that weak bodies may be nourished” resonates strongly with Alcantara, who was one of four Notre Dame boxers selected to travel to Bangladesh in the summer of 2015 to strengthen relations with the club’s beneficiaries.

This is the 87th year of the Bengal Bouts tournament, but its purpose of raising funds for the Holy Cross Mission in Bangladesh remains the same as it did in 1931 — a purpose Alcantara experienced firsthand while visiting the country. It is experience he now considers the most important thing he can contribute to the club.

“[Being a captain for a second time] is definitely really important, but I don’t think I really care about the status of being captain as much as being looked up to in the club as somebody who not only understands the mission, but has actually gone to Bangladesh and seen where the money has gone,” Alcantara said. “I think I’m a pretty good resource to the club for not only training our novices out there, but for also answering any questions about fundraising and about our mission.

“ … Traveling to Bangladesh with

Chip [Blood], Garrett [Schmelling], and Chris [Dethlefs] was the highlight of my Bengal Bouts career.”

Now a role model for younger boxers, Alcantara mentioned his role models — the people who instilled in him the traits and skills necessary to be a good boxer.

“My parents are definitely my number one role models,” Alcantara said. “They’ve always pushed me to do what I love no matter what. My first boxing coach in Chicago introduced me to the sport — he literally showed me the ropes and steered me in the right direction.

“All the captains, coaches and everybody who makes the wheels turn in this club are also role models. Coach Matt [Gelchion] has always been there for me since day one, so he’s definitely somebody that has pushed me and made me better. I can definitely say that I wouldn’t be here without him.”

Friday’s championship in the 146-pound division will be the last fight of Alcantara’s illustrious career in the Bengal Bouts ring. The senior, originally from Alumni, is a two-time defending champion and has won every one of his 10 career fights. He highlighted the strategy that he has continued to craft and improve upon throughout his career with the help of his coaches.

“[My style is] controlled aggression,” Alcantara said.

“I’m not somebody who likes to sit in the ring and jab away at people — I like to go [inside] and work the

body as ruthlessly as possible, while working in as many hooks as possible. It’s a little more brutal than what you’ll see with other people, but it’s something with my short reach and stature that I’ve learned to capitalize on.”

Although Alcantara’s personal accomplishments are substantial, he continues to stress that his athletic achievements are no longer his central focus — because he has seen and lived with who and what the boxers of the Bengal Bouts are fighting for — and he is grateful that he is able to be so involved in a program with a purpose this special.

“[I joined Bengal Bouts because] I did three sports in high school, and so there was a big drop-off from doing that in high school to nothing in college,” Alcantara said. “I wanted to find something that I could be competitive in athletically, but then it grew into me appreciating the mission and growing within the club.

“ … I don’t think I’m as concerned with records or anything like that as much as putting on a good show for everybody that comes out and training as hard as possible for the people in Bangladesh that we support. The club is so much more than boxing and I got to experience that firsthand. It was an awesome, awesome journey for the two months that we had in Bangladesh, and I wouldn’t give it back for anything in the world.”

Contact Joe Everett at jeveret4@nd.edu

Boxing only a part of Bengal Bouts for Blood

By CONNOR MULVENA Sports Writer

For senior captain Chip Blood, Bengal Bouts has been more than just a boxing tournament.

Blood, a Sorin senior from Jackson, Michigan, joined the Notre Dame boxing club his freshman year, after overhearing his RA, Daniel Yi, who was the president of the club at the time, talk about the group.

“I just joined because I wanted to stay in competitive sports,” Blood said. “ … I didn’t know about the mission behind our club or anything like that, I just thought it would be a good way to stay competitive and maybe make some friends.”

However, Blood’s humility about his beginnings in the club has translated into success in the ring. Having participated in the bouts for four consecutive years, Blood has made it to the semifinals three times. He has earned a spot in this year’s 154-pound finals after defeating Parker “Zika” Revers in the quarterfinals and Timothy Mikulski in Monday’s semifinals.

Beyond the development of his boxing skills, Blood has fostered a great appreciation for the unique nature of the sport, thanks to his time in the club.

“I think [boxing] teaches selfreliance,” Blood said. “You’re the only person responsible for yourself in the ring. But at the same time, in our club, it’s a very much team-oriented sport. We work together, we train together and we are all united by our club’s mission. That duality is very fulfilling.”

Blood cited the team aspect of the group’s boxing approach as a distinctive element of the Notre Dame club. The program of liberal studies and economics double-major admires the diversity of interests within the squad.

“There’s no common background here,” Blood said. “There’s guys from all different majors, backgrounds and interests. Everyone is going to go on to different things, which is cool.”

The club’s mission has played an especially important role in Blood’s time with the club. Two summers ago, Blood was chosen by the upperclassmen in

the group to visit Bangladesh and witness the Holy Cross Mission firsthand.

“I had the opportunity to go to Bangladesh … and that’s a great tradition that our club started eight years ago,” Blood said. “I got to go over with Alex [Alcantara], Garrett [Schmelling] and Chris [Dethlefs], who are all captains this year as well. We got to stay in the local parishes, meet some of the Holy Cross priests and we got a whole lot of perspective on what the program means.”

Blood even came to develop an interest in international peace as a result of the trip.

“I hope to join the Peace Corps after I graduate,” Blood said. “I’d really just like to be involved in some international development [program], which was definitely partially inspired by my trip to Bangladesh.”

Blood’s contributions to and involvement in the Notre Dame boxing club are significant, and have been rewarded by being selected as a captain this year. He is tasked with taking on a role of real responsibility within the club: leading the underclassmen inside the ring and out.

“[Being a captain has] really been the perfect cap to my time in the club,” Blood said. “When I was an underclassman, I really looked up to the seniors leading workouts. And this is very much a student-run and student-driven club, and the mission is really alive. So, to be able to be one of those guys who is at the front of it, here, in my last year, has been great. More than boxing itself or competing, being out there in front of those guys and helping lead workouts has been awesome.”

Nevertheless, Blood’s time in the club is not over yet. He is preparing for his final round fight this Friday against Joe Guilfoile, an opponent for whom Blood has great respect. This is not the first time the two have seen each other in the ring. Blood lost to Guilfoile in the 2014 quarterfinals, but Blood is hungry for revenge and ready to go.

“[Guilfoile] has been in the club since he was a freshman,” Blood said. “He is definitely a veteran and a really good boxer.”

Contact Connor Mulvena at cmulvena@nd.edu

Senior captain Jack Corrigan lands a right jab to the chest of sophomore Michael Krecek during a 174-pound semifinal bout Monday at the

Corrigan’s four-year Bengal Bouts career include helping break the fundraising goal in 2016 and traveling to Bengladesh to witness the

Corrigan’s commitment to Bengal Bouts reflected in mission’s motivation

By MEAGAN BENS sports Writer

s enior captain Jack

c orrigan joined the b engal b outs program to satisfy his competitive nature and, most importantly, to carry out the h oly c ross m issions in b angladesh.

“I decided to join [ b engal b outs] for two main reasons,” c orrigan said. “ o ne, I am a very competitive person, and the level of intensity you get in b engal b outs, how hard you have to work in being a part of a big team like this is something that is really important to me in my life.

“The other reason that motivated me to join is obviously the mission. Knowing I’m doing good for people who really deserve it and really need it and knowing I can make that huge impact on people’s lives in b angladesh by fighting and fundraising is a great feeling.”

The m orrissey resident’s

dedication was rewarded this year, his fourth in the program, when he was selected as a captain. The r ichmond, v irginia, native said the compliment of being named a captain cannot be understated.

“It meant the world to me,”

c orrigan said. “ b eing able to be a leader in this program is great. This program has been here for 87 years. b eing able to be a captain means a lot. I was recognized as someone who is good with the younger boxers in the program and good at fundraising, which is definitely an honor. I hope I have done the program justice in my time as a captain.”

s o far in his boxing career,

c orrigan’s highlights have been advancing to the finals this year and breaking the fundraising goal in 2016.

“Winning in the semifinals was pretty sweet,” c orrigan said. “As a personal highlight, that was probably the best so far. h opefully I’ll have another great win. b ut

as a program, last year when we announced that we broke the fundraising goal — made $152,000 — that was a pretty special moment too, and that’s what the club is really about … I have never been over to b angladesh and that is one of my biggest regrets being a part of this club, but again, the people over there really need our help. Feeding and clothing and providing shelter is one thing, but getting them to the point where they can help themselves through education is another. s ome people there are hands off now and teaching trade schools, and they are now getting jobs. They can support themselves and they don’t even need our help anymore. s eeing that and the mission step up to that level in the last 87 years where they no longer need our involvement in some places is amazing.”

In the ring, c orrigan fell in the semifinals last year and is looking to redeem himself

this year in the final round. h e mentioned he fought to the last second to qualify for finals this year.

“Going to the third round of the last match, I was hurting, but there was no way I was going to lose that fight,” c orrigan said. “Knowing what it felt like to not have my hand raised last year, knowing how bad I wanted to get my hand raised, going forward and never having won, this being my last year, my last chance in the ring — I definitely want it very badly.”

c orrigan’s passion for the program as a captain is also reflected in his fighting style when he steps into the ring. h e noted his combination of aggression and patience has helped lead to his success.

“I try to be fairly technical,” c orrigan said. “ b ut then I kind of use my aggression when I really need it. I try to pick my shots, but when it comes down to it in the third round, it’s just whether you

have the heart in you to stick it out and be gutsy and no matter how much pain you are in, to have the drive to keep fighting. s o, I’d say my style is technical and then I have guts at the end.”

c onsidering his four-year journey in the club, c orrigan said he attributes his success to his teammates and coaches.

“ m y inspiration over the last four years has been Zach Flint, a boxer who graduated last year and was a captain,” c orrigan said. “ h e is kind of like a big brother to me. h e is a guy I have definitely looked up to as well as the coaches. c oach m att [Gelchion] and c oach Kev have spent a lot of time working with me.

b esides hard work, I attribute my success to my coaches, m att Gelchion, who is in my corner, especially, and I attribute it to having teammates that push me.”

Contact Meagan Bens at mbens@nd.edu

Michael Kappaz vs Joaquin Camara

Kappaz is an offensively focused fighter. He picks his shots carefully in order to inflict maximum damage. He has showcased his ability to control a fight without delivering many punches. He relies on his powerful right hook and combinations.

PATH TO THE FINALS

Kappaz bye in preliminaries def. Patrick Donavan in quarterfinals def. Riley North in semifinals

Camara bye in preliminaries def. John Hunter in quarterfinals def. Chris Dethlefs in semifinals

Camara is a smart fighter with good footwork. He maintains a defensive position to block his opponent effectively, then he typically lashes out with a quick left jab to his opponent’s head followed up by a right cross or hook. His counterattack is strong.

166 pounds Patrick Lawler vs Timothy McDermott

Lawler is an aggressive fighter who uses huge hooks to stun his opponent. He patiently waits for his opponent to expose himself, then he unleashes those hooks and crosses to his opponent’s head. He is a defending champion.

PATH TO THE FINALS

Lawler def. Michael Briody in preliminaries def. Adam Pasquinelly in quarterfinals def. Sean Flynn in semifinals

McDermott def. Justin Livingston in preliminaries def. Jake Makowski in quarterfinals def. Daniel Childers in semifinals

McDermott is a defensive-minded fighter. He uses his quick feet and long arms to protect himself from other fighters’ combinations, and he scores his points by countering when his opponent drops his gloves to throw punches.

146 pounds Alex Alcantara vs Matthew Yoder

Alcantara is undefeated in his Bengal Bouts career. The two-time defending champion has a strong left hook and he favors it in close fights. Alcantara’s strength is his stamina. His quick footwork allows him to dodge opponents’ attacks.

PATH TO THE FINALS

Alcantara def. Simon Padanilam in preliminaries def. Henry Davis in quarterfinals def. Dominic Angelotti in semifinals

Yoder def. Kenny Xu in preliminaries def. Nicholas Westhoven in quarterfinals def. Conor Ward in semifinals

Yoder likes to fight in close quarters due to his shorter reach. Yoder is physical and uses that to push his opponent around the ring. He is not afraid to take punches while he works his way into close quarters and his offense is tought to combat.

174 pounds

Jack Corrigan vs Jack Shepard

Corrigan is a quick and experienced fighter who puts up a battle in the ring. He is able to successfully dodge powerful hits and deliver combinations and gamechanging hooks while maintaining composure. He is aggressive and not afraid to battle it out.

PATH TO THE

FINALS

Corrigan def. James Cheney in preliminaries def. Ishaan Goel in quarterfinals def. Michael Krecek in semifinals

Shepard def. Luke Clair in preliminaries def. Henry Perillo in quarterfinals def. Chris Harrington in semifinals

Shepard is a southpaw who takes advantage of the element of surprise. He retaliates with quick combinations and hard hits that are unexpected, and he is able to maintain distance from his opponent with his long reach.

Heavy Weight

Pat Gordon vs Ryan Richelsen

Gordon is one of the defending champions. As a tall, agile lefty, his opponents are less-than-thrilled to face him. He is confident and is hard to beat when he delivers forward-moving punches and starts to take over.

PATH TO THE

FINALS

Gordon bye in preliminaries def. Christian Dennis in quarterfinals def. Erich Jegier in semifinals

Richelsen def. Michael Breslin in preliminaries def. Andrew Rosenberg in quarterfinals def. Jackson Wrede in semifinals

Richelsen is a tough fighter who is able to take hits and deliver them right back. Just when his opponent tries to get into a rhythm, he comes forward to deliver straight punches and occasional hooks and uppercuts.

154 pounds Chip Blood vs Joe Guilfoile

Blood is an aggressive fighter who asserts his presence by pushing his opponent into the ropes, trapping him there and punching him with a strong mix of jabs, crosses, hooks and uppercuts. He also has strong body control, as he dodges punches well.

PATH TO THE FINALS

Blood def. Timothy Hopkins in preliminaries def. Parker Revers in quarterfinals def. Timothy Mikulski in semifinals

Guilfoile def. Chris Prattos in preliminaries def. Timothy Leisenring in quarterfinals def. Alexander Roth in semifinals

Guilfoile is an aggressive fighter who gets in close with his opponent. He has an effective jab that he uses to keep his opponent off-balance, and he follows up the jab with huge right hooks. His agility and aggression earned him a place in the final.

185 pounds

Dan Andree vs Cam Nolan

Andree is a strong southpaw who can shock his opponent. He throws long, straight punches that are powerful and hard to combat. He incorporates effective combinations and consistently comes out with high energy in each round.

PATH TO THE FINALS

Andree bye in preliminaries def. Eric Recquet in quarterfinals def. Isaac Althoff in semifinals

Nolan bye in preliminaries def. James Holland in quarterfinals def. Jack Ryan in semifinals

Nolan’s power, athleticism and speed make him an intimidating opponent. He isn’t afraid to throw the first punch and lead the movement around the ring. In order to make up for any height difference, Nolan unleashed his power and can end a fight early.

159 pounds Garrett Schmelling vs Gregory Arts

Schmelling relies on combinations to score his points offensively, while often covering his face and waiting for a chance to throw a series of punches at his opponent’s face or torso. He sticks to jab-cross combinations and is effective from both sides.

PATH TO THE FINALS

Schmelling def. Patrick Rafferty in preliminaries def. Matthew Green in quarterfinals def. Gio Lincon in semifinals

Arts def. John Link in preliminaries def. Luke Rafferty in quarterfinals def. Joseph Quinones in semifinals

Arts uses his height and length to strike quickly with jab-hook combinations from a safe distance, but he also has great energy and is able to land strong, effective punches from the start of the fight. Arts uses his solid footwork and technique to escape.

191 pounds

Jack Considine vs Montana Giordano

Considine swiftly and strategically delivers one-two combinations while moving around the ring. As a two-time defending champion and current president of the club, he is a tough, competitive fighter who sets the tone of the match early.

PATH TO THE FINALS

Considine bye in preliminaries def. Jackson Fox in quarterfinals def. Christopher Vazquez in semifinals

Giordano bye in preliminaries def. Tyler Dale in quarterfinals def. Aaron Bode in semifinals

Giordano is creative in the ring and can find a way to win. He is able counter his opponent and apply pressure with a flurry of combinations. Although his athleticism is not his strength, his aggression and competitiveness keep him in the fight.

As Bengal Bouts president, Considine combines boxing with passion for service

By RYAN KOLAKOWSKI sports Writer

b efore he even set foot on campus as a freshman, Jack c onsidine knew that he wanted to fight in b engal b outs. The Wilmette, Illinois, native had not boxed in high school, but a friend’s success in the tournament caught his attention during his senior year.

“I had a friend from high school back home, and when I was a senior, I heard he was in the finals here,” c onsidine said. “And from that moment, I knew that if I went to notre dame, that was something I was certainly going to do.”

men’s boxing at notre dame provides an experience completely unique to note dame. The atmosphere is competitive from the start of the year. b oxers of all levels train several days each week to find success in the boxing ring come February. c onsidine found a way to thrive in this

atmosphere through a combination of physical strength and mental sharpness.

“The thing that is really, really interesting about boxing here is that no one has boxed before … and when you start this as a grown man, you’re much more analytical about it,” c onsidine said. “I think the reason I’ve had moderate success, for my own merit, was being able to think, ‘I’m going to master the jab, and once I do that, then I’m going to master my right cross.’ I’ve been able to look at [boxing] as a science.”

c onsidine has utilized the mental aspect of his game to find success over the past three years. he had a solid showing his first year in the club by winning his first match in the bouts. he built on that solid showing by claiming the title in the 196-pound division in 2015 and then conquering the 191-pound bracket in 2016.

c onsidine has loved his experience in the boxing ring,

but this year, while serving as the president of the club and as a senior captain, c onsidine has been especially focused on the holy c ross missions in b angladesh. In particular, c onsidine noted the efforts that he has made in fundraising this year.

“This year, as opposed to past years, I’ve been really focused on the fundraising side,” considine said. “not to take anything away from the boxing, but more recently I’ve been so focused on the numbers and our sponsors.

“most people join the club for boxing, and that was the case for me … but the mission is a special part of the club. This is going to be part of my college career, and I’m going to raise money for people overseas. I’ve never been to b angladesh, and I feel like that was my biggest mistake, but I still feel very much attached to what we do. It’s something that gives me a very uplifting emotion, and I think the emotion propelled

me to try and maximize our fundraising efforts … The last two years, [the club] has set fundraising records while putting on a great show … so these fundraising efforts have been stressful, but it has also augmented how fulfilling the experience is for me.”

As a four-year participant in b engal b outs, it has shaped c onsidine’s experience at notre dame. The mental approach that c onsidine took to boxing has helped him to find success in the ring, in the classroom and other aspects of his life.

“[The analytical side of boxing is] about repetition; it’s about resilience and getting over plateaus,” c onsidine said. “Those are things that I’ve seen in my life outside boxing, and things that I’m sure that I will see after college. For me, learning how to learn was one of the greatest skills I’ve taken from boxing. It has taught me how to be analytical in my approach to other aspects of

life and be able to endure the points where it feels like you’re not getting better and you just have to push through it.”

c onsidine hopes to maintain his mental approach and tame his nerves as he enters his third championship fight Friday.

“This is my fourth tournament, and I think it will be my twelfth or thirteenth fight, and I’ve normally gotten butterflies before every single one, but now I have less than before,” c onsidine said. “In terms of physically preparing, I think you have to trust the process. You have to trust the fact that you have already put in the work, and this part of the season is all about getting sleep and being mentally prepared for the next fight … my mentality is this is my last six minutes of boxing ever, and I want to make sure everything is left on the table.”

Contact Ryan Kolakowski at rkolakow@nd.edu

Forging relationships, experiences in Bangladesh highlight Schmelling’s career

By DARCY DEHAIS sports Writer

s enior b engal b outs captain Garrett s chmelling has come full circle this year.

h e is competing in the finals of the tournament Friday for the first time since his freshman year. h owever, over the course of his four years, he has found the relationships he has made with other boxers and the cause the fights support more important than the competition itself.

s chmelling joined b engal b outs as a freshman because he wanted to stay involved in an athletic team and continue to pursue his fitness goals while supporting a good cause. s chmelling wrestled in high school, and he said his background as a wrestler has helped him in his boxing training.

“ c onditioning-wise, they’re very similar,” s chmelling said. “When you’re in the ring or on the wrestling mat, it’s just you out there. You don’t have a team with you during competition. You train with one, and there’s a team aspect to it, but when it’s time for competition, it’s you. You really have to dig deep, rely on yourself and kind of realize when it comes down to it, there’s no one else to turn to. You find out what you’ve got.”

s chmelling described himself as a “counter-puncher,” as he chooses to attack his opponent’s body and looking for opportunities to counter on attacks once he finds openings. b ecause he is shorter than most fighters, he said he has to try harder to find a way to get inside.

“m y biggest strength is probably my composure,”

s chmelling said. “I’m fine having a lot of punches thrown at me or taking a punch here and there — it doesn’t really throw me off like it might someone else. It’s just being comfortable in the thick of it with the punches flying. I can keep my head about me and keep going about my style.”

With the exception of his junior year, when he was studying abroad, s chmelling has participated in b engal b outs each year. As a freshman, he was the underdog of his semifinal bout and managed to earn a spot in the finals, where he ultimately lost to a more experienced boxer. s chmelling lost in the semifinals by split decision the next year.

d espite these losses, s chmelling persevered, winning every fight so far this season by unanimous

decision. Although there are high stakes, he discussed the fact that he doesn’t feel pressure going into Friday’s final fight.

“I think there’s pressure to get to the finals and return to it, but once you get there, it’s really anybody’s fight,” s chmelling said. “b oth guys are in the same position, and the ring’s the exact same size as it is in all the other fights. I don’t want to say that it’s just another fight because it’s not, but it’s kind of the goal to get to the finals. You just have to go out and fight your fight and enjoy being on the big stage.”

s chmelling said of all the things he has experienced in his years training for b engal b outs, the thing he will miss most is the camaraderie among the fighters.

“In how many other programs do you see guys going at it so hard out in the ring, and then when they [are] finished, they hug and a couple days later, they’re hanging out?” s chmelling said. “It’s 200-plus friends that I’ve made every single year because of b engal b outs, and I think I’m going to miss the guys the most.”

In the summer following his sophomore year, s chmelling had the opportunity to visit b angladesh and experience firsthand the effects the money b engal b outs raised for holy c ross m issions has had. he said that the influence the boxers have on the community in b angladesh was astonishing to him.

“I got to see firsthand the impact that we’re having, and it’s really hard to comprehend,” s chmelling said. “We sit here, and we think we can understand how much impact we’re having, and it’s just not even close. I got to see a school that was completely funded by b engal b outs, which is phenomenal, but you could also tell that there was so much more that we could do.”

s chmelling prides himself in what b engal b outs stands for and he hopes to continue to further its mission.

“We’ve come a long way, but we’ve still got a long ways to go,” s chmelling said. “It’s a tradition of doing something more that I’m proud to be a part of. obviously, the guys before us have done a ton, and we’re just laying the groundwork for the next 87 years of guys to come. It’s more than just a four-year boxing experience — it’s being a part of a brotherhood that has been contributing to a cause much bigger than all of us.”

Contact Darcy Dehais at ddehais@nd.edu