A 16-year-old Connecticut girl became the Silver Gloves National Champion in her age and weight bracket.

Brianna Alers is a junior at Hamden High School. She competed with boxers from all over the country in Independence, Missouri.

She said it was "the amazing training" that she received at the Chick Rosnick Boxing Club in Stratford that gave her the competitive edge she needed to rise to the top.

"I jumped up in the air. When they raised my hand, I started jumping up in the air and then when I got out of the ring, I ran to my dad and I started crying," Alers recalled.

"It is more than just being honored. It is a victory in your heart that I know I've done my job," said the club's Martin Chilsom.

Alers thanked Harold Rosnick for providing a program she said gave her "the confidence and value system" she needed to become an anti-bullying advocate as well.

Alers now looks forward to competing in the USA Boxing National Junior Olympics in Texas in June.