11 Air Force boxers competing in regional qualifier

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Ian Hoachlander
  • Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas --  Eleven of the Air Force's top boxer's are competing in the San Antonio Regional Golden Gloves tournament Feb. 18 - 22.

The Golden Gloves competition is sponsored by the Golden Gloves Association of America which strives to provide an activity and safe environment that promotes and enhances the physical and emotional well-being and development of young athletes.

The five-day event kicked off with preliminary and semifinal matches held at the Woodlawn Gym in San Antonio, Texas. Individuals who advanced through these rounds will compete in the San Antonio Regional Golden Gloves championship matches Feb. 22.

The regional championships will be held at 7 p.m. in the Cowboys Dancehall, located off of Northwest Loop 410, near Interstate Highway 35. Tickets for the event cost $20 per person.

Winners of each weight class will advance to the 2014 Texas State Golden Gloves Tournament Feb. 25. Contenders will fight the top boxers from around the state to earn the right to compete in the national championship.

"The Golden Gloves Tournament could be a major stepping stone for any one of the contenders," said Master Sgt. Steven Franco, 30th Security Forces Squadron noncommissioned officer in charge of operations at Vandenberg Air Force base, Calif. "This event gives our Airmen the opportunity to compete at the highest levels and could potentially provide them enough exposure to turn pro."

Air Force members competing in this event include:

· Staff Sgt. Kent Brinson, 13th Air Support Operations Squadron, Fort Carson, Colo.
· Staff Sgt. Christopher Kemp, 88th Medical Operations Squadron, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio
· Staff Sgt. Chad Reed, 752nd Medical Squadron, March Air Reserve Base, Calif.
· Senior Airman Antonio Lovett, 5th Maintenance Squadron, Minot Air Force Base, N.D.
· Senior Airman Tavarus Roberts, 791st Missile Security Forces Squadron, Minot AFB, N.D.
· Airman 1st Class Kenneth De Jesus Cruz, 9th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Beale Air Force Base, Calif.
· Airman 1st Class Eric Glaude, 159th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Belle Chasse, La.
· Airman 1st Class Dominic Sirianni, 748th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom
· Airman 1st Class Dustin Southichack, 433rd Civil Engineer Squadron, Joint Base San Antonio - Lackland, Texas
· Airman 1st Class Andre Thompson, 55th Aerospace Medicine Squadron, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb.
· Airman Ruben Saenz III, 78th Force Support Squadron, Robins Air Force Base, Ga.

For more information about Air Force sports or other quality of life programs visit www.usafsports.com, www.usafservices.com or www.myairforcelife.com.