The Daily Collegian STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (U-WIRE) -- It is why athletes train so hard and put in extra hours at the gym, a universal goal that all competitors strive for -- to be the best. In rare cases, they also get the chance to be the first. "That is why I box, for that feeling of the ref raising my hand and knowing that I won," Wilcox said. "It's a very flattering experience to be the first women's champion. That is something they can never take away from me." As soon as the bell sounded, Wilcox unleashed a barrage of punches on Thrapp. Wilcox forced two standing eight counts in the title fight before the referee awarded her the match in the third round. Wilcox seized the moment. "I knew I had to fight well to win," Wilcox said. "But also I had to give a good showing to show the tournament organizers that putting in a women's championship was a smart decision, and that we could fight." Unlike many athletes in national tournament situations, Wilcox entered the ring calm and collected. With a victory against Penn College's Laura Oblenus at the NCBA Northeast regional tournament just two weeks earlier, Wilcox carried experience and confidence with her as she prepared for battle in the Bluegrass State. "I was actually more nervous for my regional fight because it was the first time I fought against another woman," Wilcox said. "This fight I came out and just tried to be as aggressive as I could." During the season, Wilcox could only practice due to the lack of female competitors in collegiate boxing. Sparring against the other members of the Penn State boxing squad may have given her an edge on the competition.
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