A pair of boxers from Fisticuffs Gym in Vancouver placed at the USA Boxing Silver Gloves Nationals, which concluded on Saturday at Independence, Mo.
Austin Morales placed third in the 96-100 weight division for ages 12-13. He won his first bout against Samuel Edmonds of Fort Washington, Md., to reach the semifinals where he lost to champion Salomon Balderas of Reno.
Koa Gabriel placed fifth for ages 12-13 at the 81-85 weight division. He lost his first bout, a close quarterfinal contest with eventual champion Victor Ordonez of Newark, N.J. Because he lost to the eventual champion, Gabriel is considered the fifth-place fighter among the eight regional champions in his division.
Silver Gloves is for ages 8-16. Each bout consisted of three one-minute rounds. Morales and Gabriel qualified for nationals by winning regional championships.
Leonard Gabriel, the coach for both boxers, said the trip to nationals was a good experience for both his son and for Morales.
Rowing practice to start on Feb. 16
Vancouver Lake Crew will begin its 15th season of high school and middle school rowing next week.
The first practice will be held on Feb. 16 for a season that continues into late May, when the regional championships are held at Vancouver Lake.
For details on the program, visit vancouverlakecrew.com.
Free lacrosse clinics slated
Clark County Youth Lacrosse will hold free learn-to-play clinics on the next two Saturdays.
On Feb. 13, a clinic to introduce girls to lacrosse will be held 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on the turf field at King’s Way Christian School, 3300 N.E. 78 St.
A pair of clinics open to boys and girls are scheduled for Feb. 20. A clinic will take place 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Eisenhower Elementary School, 9201 N.W. Ninth Ave. A second clinic will be held 1 to 2:30 p.m. at Burnt Bridge Creek Elementary School, 14619 N.E. 49th St.
Clark County Youth Lacrosse is a first-year program that combined the King’s Way, Union and Vancouver established youth lacrosse programs. To learn more, visit www.ccylax.org.
Hockey for kids event Feb. 20
A free introduction to ice hockey opportunity for ages 4 to 9 will take place at 8:45 a.m. on Feb. 20 at Mountain View Ice Arena in Vancouver
Registration begins at 8:15 a.m.
This event is part of USA Hockey’s Try Hockey Program. Equipment will be provided.
Register through the tryhockeyforfree.com website. For details, contact Jason Hirt at 360-896-8700 or jasonhirt@gmail.com.
Rugby practices under way
Local teams have begun training for the 2016 high school and youth rugby season.
The Prairie Wolf Pack trains at 4 p.m. each Monday and Wednesday at Laurin Middle School, 13601 NE 97th Ave. Battle Ground teams train at 4 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Laurin Middle School.
The Oregon Youth Rugby high school season begins on March 19, but most local teams will play preseason matches in February.
To learn more about youth and high school rugby in the area, visit www.rugbyoregon.com.
COMMUNITY SPORTS NEWS is published each Tuesday. Submit items by sending email to paul.danzer@columbian.com or call 360-735-4521.
