The Butler Cubs amateur boxing team began the year by sending eight boxers to the recent Allegheny Mountain Association-USA District Tournament and coming home with eight medals.

Winning gold medals were Ryan Covert, Mike Mercurio, Steve Podobensky and Curt Keener. Chris Martini and Josh Sychak placed second in their respective weight classes to receive silver medals.

Matt Holder and Chris Stitt placed third and won bronze medals.

Covert is preparing for the USA Regional Championships in Virginia Beach. Va., this weekend. By winning the title there, he would advance to the National USA Championships in Colorado Springs, Colo.

The other Cubs fighters are preparing for the annual Western Pennsylvania Golden Glove Tournament, which starts Feb. 19. Covert will be the favorite in the 178-pound Open class and will be seeded to accommodate his travels to regional and possibly national competition.

Cubs trainers hope to have between 10 to 12 fighters ready for the Golden Gloves, including former Pennsylvania Golden Glove champion Jimmy Cress and former Western Pennsylvania champion Ken Peth.

Podobensky (3-0) won a unanimous decision over Ben Warner of Hancock County (W.Va.) to win the 125-pound Cadet division of the AMA-USA district tournament.

Covert (21-9) was declared champion of the 178-pound Open division when scheduled opponent Curby Anderson did not show up for the finals. Covert had won a unanimous decision over Tanner Ilkin of Wolfpack Boxing in the semifinals.

Mercurio (3-0) stopped Joe Washinski of Western Allegheny at 1:59 of the first round to win the 165-pound sub-novice division. Washinski received several standing eight counts before the fight was stopped.

Keener (1-0) was declared champion of the 132-pound sub-novice division when both of his opponents failed to show up.