Boxers win Best Team Award Published Oct. 9, 2009 By John Stuart Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- If Saturday's performance was an indicator of things to come, then the Tinker All Services Boxing Team is destined for good things. The 12-member team had seven fighters enter the ring Oct. 3 in the USA Boxing Okemah Everlasting Boxing Tournament, and they came away with four victors and a best team award. For Coach Lavell Sims, the team's performance against five other teams Saturday set a precedent as it was the first time for his fighters to earn a team award. "Overall I'm very impressed with this team," Sims said. "I told them 'there's nowhere to go but up' and 'I don't expect any less.'" Four Tinker boxers came away with wins: Airman 1st Class Luke Nelson (152 lbs.), Staff Sgt. Charlie Floyd (165 lbs.), Staff Sgt. Jose Robles (141 lbs. forfeit win) and Airman Tina Andrews (178 lbs.). Three boxers dropped their bouts in Okemah: Capt. James Barber (132 lbs.), Theodore Morse (heavyweight) and Chris Gomez (heavyweight), who dislocated his shoulder in his debut fight. Both Barber and Morse will face their Okemah opponents again in coming matches. Sims, the Tinker boxing coach of six years, said this year's troupe represents one of the strongest he's seen so far, with two nationally ranked boxers and two base title holders filling rank and file. Barber, the team captain, is ranked No. 10 in the nation and is bolstered by team member Pfc. Joe Strong (165 lbs.), who's ranked No. 6 nationally. Andrews is the reigning 178 lb. female Tinker Air Force Base champion along with Morse, who is a five-time Tinker heavyweight champion. The Tinker fighters will travel to Weatherford, Okla., Saturday Oct. 10 for a bout at the National Guard Armory at 4 p.m. The Tinker boxing program has never been stronger, Sims said, and the team is always looking for new boxers and assistant coaches. No experience necessary.