Mic higan, SprindfiOld-OhallOn.golgtapplers By JACK PATON Collegian Sports Writer The Penn State 'wrestling team; after savoring its win in last week's Invitational, will face another formidable challenge tonight at 7:30 and tomorrow at 2:00 when unbeaten Michigan and Springfield come into Rec Hall for dual meets. The 'Lions will send out the same team that per formed so impressively last weekend, with one exception. As a result of this week's elimination bouts, senior' Denny St. Clair will be the heavyweight in place of Rich Boehmer (2-2 this season). St. Clair beat Boehmer twice in practice to gain the spot. li ; According to coach Bill Koll, his wrestlers are ready to put the Invitational victory behind them and concentrate on this weekend's meets. "As a matter of fact," he ,said, "we're really looking forward to the next two weeks, counting the meet with Marion (Dec. 2A). "Michigan should be one of the best meets of the season and we certainly can't afford to overlook Springfield. These two meets arevery crucial for us having an outstanding season or just a good season." Considering Michigan's 5-0 record and second: place finish in its tournament last weekend, the Lions 'may have a problem with regarding Springfield (1-0) too lightly. Koll dismisses this, claiming he's more frightened by, teams without the good reputations than of the so-called powerhouses. "There's an absolute in wrestling that if yhu Whelan, UMass By BRIAN MILLER Assistant Sports Editor The first time Gene Whelan attempted a backhandspring, he broke his wrist. For most, an ex perience like that would end a gymnastic career, not begin one. Except Gene Whelan had never really excelled at other sports and .since his brother Jay was -a gymnast, Gene decided to stay with the sport. U.S. and Penn State gym nastics fans are glad he did. Whelan went on to becpme a member of four U.S. national teams, including stints with the 1974„ World Games squad a 4 last summer's Pan Am Games team. And tomorrow, the senior from New Hampshire will travel with the rest of Penn State's gymnastic 'wad to the University of Massachusetts for the season's first dual meet. It will be a homecoming of sorts for Whelan, who trans ferred from UMass to'Happy Valley tulo.years ago. "I didn't — really want to leave and I miss it academically," Whelan said. "But I don't miss it gym nastically." It seems Whelan and UMass' athletic director had a difference of opinion over the schools' gymnastic program. "I went to the AD at UMass and asked him to tell me what the future of the gymnastic team was going to be," Whelan said. "He said he didn't now and wasn't going to know. He said gymnastics at UMass was going to be turned into an All-New England school" Which according to Whelan, signaled the end of opposition any where near national power calibre. "What it all meant was that UMass tough b Lion gymnasts By LAURIE KAROON Collegian Sports Writer The women's' gymnastics team begins its' season tomorrow with a lot of hope, a - lot of eagerness, and a lot of freshmen. And sur prisingly, a lot of confidence. , Surprising is the confidence because they will meet highly ranked Un - ersity of Massachussetts in a meet that7l.lOrlions coach Judy Avener has described'as "super important and the toughest" on the schedule this season. Five wide-eyed newcomers to the Penn State squad will be heavily depended upon by Avener and the rest of the team to, take up the slack left by last year's star Colette Bizal. Out of a squad of nine traveling to the meet, ~ his 14k of experience may loom as an im portant factor. The match, which may remain as the most pressured the women will face this year, is also viewed as sort of a grudge meet foi UMass. Last season, Penn State was the only team to beat the Minutewomen, although they did so by the skin of their teeth. The,fmal score was 100.30 to 97.10, with Karen Schuckman winning every event, including the all around. Colette Bizal came in second in the AA, and UMass gymnast Jeannine Burger placed third. All the same, many observers called the win a fluke, pointing to .thefact that UMass star Susan Cantwell did not participate in the meet due to an injury. So, while UNIa.% looks to this meet to prove its loss was pure bad luck, the Lady Lions are more or less up to show that last year's win was no fluke. Massachussetts, by the way, went on to capture the Eastern title last year and place second in the Nationals. s "Last year, we were worried that hopefully we wouldn't look like a lesser learn than U Mass," recalled Avener. "We' *anted to . . . , • - - ''' ' ''''44l4, -..,,;:q , ~ • ;... 1.. tilt'- - 11: "1. . ..4 . '•* "1 11 -*.' _ . .• .:..- ...4 • ''' •:?• • compete long enough against someone, you'll get beat, t' he said. "If you tale anyone too lightly, you're in trouble. We went upi to Springfield, about seven or eight years ago, expecting to whip them. Instead, nothing went right and we got our fannys whipped. "Our wrest lets are mature enough to respect both teams equal y. Besides; if you can't get Alp for a team, you don't deserve to be on our team.", 'The Lions will have three wrestlers putting their unbeaten streaks on the line this weekend.' Invitational champs Wayne Packer (118), Jerry VilleCco (167), and Bill Bertrand (190) are all 4-0. Packer will go against Michigan'sophomore Greg HaAes (4-5) and Springfield's Leßoy Witherspoon, a soph who will be making his seasonal debut. Villecco faces two unbeaten, in Michigan's Ed Neiswender (2-0) and Springfield's Nick Porillo ( 1- 0). Bertrand 1 is pitted against Harold King (8-1) on , 1 ii: t., .. o fr , t y .- r. ~ , t 4 t 'l4 ‘iltr' I,lrettr,W c .*itt ~, Photo by Joe Ton Gene Whelan will lead Penn State's gymnastic team into the University of Massachusetts tomorrow night for the season's first competi tion gymnastics •• was on the Whelan. decline 'there," added So Whelan read the vibes look like we were on their level. Then they had a big injury at the last minute, and we won. 'Everybody said it was a fluke, and I think that we 'have to beat them again this year to prove that it wasn't." Since this year's schedule begins a month earlier than usual, Penn ..State can't only worry about its inexperienced personnel, but first meet jitters,as well, let alone that the first meet is against a powerhoie team. "We opened up against Towson last season, and by the time we met Mass, we had several meets of experience under our belts," con tinued Avenei. "Also, Bizal was the only freshman on the team. But this year, we're going to have five freshmen and just four upperclassmen competing in the meet." Although UMass lost top' performer Burger, reports ihciicate the team still his lots of depth, and will be strong again this year. "UMass had a lot of freshmen last year, and were in a situation much like we are in now," said beam Ispecialist Sue Bergstrom. "They just broke ,under the pressure of not having Cantwell. But we were good,we were hitting good. They just weren't hitting last year, but yolicould still tell they were good." Bergstrom " compared this with the pressure that might be felt by the Lady Lions. Is it possible Penn State might break under the pressure with so many freshmen, of competing without the steady high scores of Bizal? , "We'll just have to wait and see how they (the freshmen) handle the Ipriessure," she said. "We're defiiitely goinr - ro need their scores, since Nancy (Park), I Ellen (Coc cagna) and I are only competing in one event. But I bevel this secret confidence that they are gonni doldrell." , I ea) ut Lady confident Friday and against Bill Fiore (1-0) on Saturday. Here are the other matehupi: 126—Jimmy Earl (2-2) vs. Jini Boyd (S), making - his first start of the season, and freshman Amos Goodlow (M), who is 8-3. 1341—Rich Kepler (1-3) vs. .'s RichLubell (3-0) and eithei Larry , k . (0-1) or Chris shaddock (0-0). 142—D I eniry Sciabica (3-1) vs. Briggs (3-0) of michigari t , and Springfield's Bob iialsh, making his first var*lty start. Vollrath (34) vs. Chnrell.f (8-1) and Springfi making his sbasonal debut. 158—Jerry White (0) vs. l Mi. , igan junior Mark Jonsoii (p-0) and the Indians' J: _mulligan (1-0). I f. lea .eight—St. will , make his debut ag6inst *thigan freshmanMlke McDowell (2-2-1) and Sp • field's fradanan Jiiff 131atnick (0-0-1). NOTES: Michigan picked 4) -two individual champi hips in their tournament, via Churillo and Johnion Springfield has three New England champions in Porillo,4Munroe, 'and Mulligan, but will be missing theivegulara at 118 and 142 due to injuries....Porillo handed Villedco one of the Lion captain's four losses lastyear Kepler fought off the challenge of senior corn Teagarden in eliminations to r e tain the 134 spot. Each wrestler be - at the other once Koll dismissing the effect of a last-minute pin In the Invitational on Jerry White: "Just like the Okies say, `Every horse can get rolled, and every wrestler can get throwed' ". different tango and decided that he'd just as soon perform elsewhere. But Penn State was far from his first choice. • "Actually I wasn't going to Penn State originally, every school hated Penn State because they always] won," Whelan said. "In fact, I planned to go to Oklahlma." • $ `4But T i m Dunn (Whelan's former coach at UMEiss and now an r assistant Coach at Penn State) highly iecom .s" mended it (Penn Stat). Plus it I was the one gymnastic program in the country that I knew wouldn't be dropped." Whelan will be one of four' PCnn State all-around per formers This year, but with his ' experience lin in ternational competition and his fourth place finish in the NCAA all-around two years ago, Whelan will emerge as the Lions' key AA competitor. i "This team (Penn State is different from last• year in that this year, they, are doing cbinpulsones - ,'WhOgin said. ` a That's 'Where you win. 75 pet• cent of it is compulsories." It's also where most American gymnasts seem to be lacking. , "Americans work on op tionals because oPtionals have more difficult' tricki,T Whelan added. Other' cpu* tries are very sure of their optionals so they spend a lot more time doing corn pulsories.". I I Whelan also has some ideas why the U.S. has trouble with foreign gym squads, like the Japanese. "The country is so big, there might be a technique change here but it . doesn't change ther6," said Whelan. 'lus the country can't )sidize ,athletes. Athletes Bergstrom eads a narrow path Wolverines' Mark d's Ed Gibbons, can't work all day, then work out five hours in the gym. It can't be done physically." So many of the country's top gymnasts compete in college but stop progressing after graduation because of a lack of funds. "They, don't train until they're 27 or 28, when they should be really good," Whelan, added, "they never reach their potential." Whelan will be trying to reach or near his Potential tomorrow against UMass [although the one time Minuteman isn't more up for this meet than the others, adding "I'll just go through the routines." As for the spectacular in Whelan's routines, Whelan ,said THE move for him is his high-bar diSmount. "It's called a brani-out flifus," Whelan said. "It's a double front with a half twist. I don't think any one else is doing it." For goals, even . the Olympics take second seat for Whelan. "Everybody wants to be in the Olympics," Whelan said. "But my main goal is to be a good gymnast. I'd rather be a good gymnast that didn't make the teams than a bad gymnast who made all the teams." Gym notes: Massachusetts is 2-1 so far this season with its competition reflecting what Whelan mentioned, All-New England and of poor quality Boston ' University, West Point (which UMass lost to), and Lower University... Top AA performers for the Minutemen are the' Marks brothers, Paul and Steve...the Lions trounced UMass 210.45- 198.4 last year in Rec Hall. Dave Becker (standing up) will meet two undefeated opponents Bucs get Medich HOLLYWOOD, Fla: (AP) The New York Yankees, frustrated in their bid•to win the Ameiican League pennant last season, completed two trades yesterday, unloading slugging outfielder Bobby Bonds to California and acquiring five players three froM Pittsburgh. AA the trading market finally picked up at baseball's winter meetings, the Yankees landed pitcher Ed Figueroa and speedy outfielder Mickey Rivers from the Angels for Bonds. In announcing the trade with California, Gabe Paul, Yankees president, said the move cleared the way for further trades and, shortly afterwards, the Yankees sent pitcher Doc Medich to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Willie Randolph, a highly regarded young second baseman, and veteran pitchers Dock Ellis and Ken Brett': A total of 32 players have been involved in 10 deals this week during the meetings as the clubs raced the midnight tonight inter-league trading deadline. The Yankees were picked by most experts to win the AL East last season after obtaining Kopay reveals WASHINGTON (UPI) Dave Kopay, a pro football running back for 10 years. §ays he believes a Washington Star : report which contended about five per cent of National Football League players are homosexual or bisexual, including three starting quarterbacks. Cagers have want-to Want-to. If the scoreboard only had a place for it. Fans can't shout it, bands can't play it, and vendors can't sell it. But the players, they've gotta have it. Want-to has been around for quite some time now. You can take it back to the Four Horsemen, Pepper Martin, Pete Gray, the guys that finally whupped up on Napoleon. You need it to be a winner and once you're a winner, you need it to stay that way. Its absence has abortive effect akin to that of your basic hurricane. The remains are helplessly inert. Example? Take Penn State's basketball team, waiting with a 3-1 record to host }Cent State this Tuesday night. And don't say 'No, YOU take Penn State's basketball team,' without takinpit least a look or two at these guys. Okay, big deal; right? They're three-and one, they beat Lehigh by a lot of points and Delaware by a few. Wow. One of Penn State% mapy beautiful fans is so moved to yell things like "You guys SUCK!" during the first half of Ohio State's visit to Rec Hall this past Sunday. That fan got pretty quiet before the game was over. Unless, perhaps, he was joining in the cheers. Want-to? There's so much there. In a Romel Raf fin, pulling up for the short jumpers and battling a bigger man like Chris Taylor, there's nothing but want-to. In a Jim Ouderkirk, who is struggling but scoring; there is want-to. With Chris Erichsen looking like the man John Bach has waited for, and with Tom Booty. , steady and all-around solid as he's ever teen, there is want-to. One year ago, Bah seemed somewhat reserved, but he talked of attitude -- "the criterion of this season. Attitude has more to do with the performance of this team than any other factor." Re hoped for motivation. Now he is much more definitive. "We have to play; more viciously, like the Junkyard - Dog," he says, and somebody's listening . to him. The Lions are making a lot of mistakes, some that 'lst shouldn't be The Daily Collegian Friday, December 12,1975-11 Bonds and signing free agent pitcher Catfish Hunter, but finished third, 12'2 games back of first place Boston. In another trade. the- San Diego Padres acquired third baseman Doug Rader from the Houston Astros for right-handed pitchers Joe Mclntosh and Larry Hardy. Meanwhile, National League owners voted to extend their financial support of the San Frincisca Giants until Dec. 30, pending sale of the club. Indications were that the Giants would remain in San Francisco despite poor at tendance in-recent seasons and the generally accepted opinion that the Bay Area can't support botli. them and the American League's Oakland A's. Charles Feeney, National League president, said Giants' owner • Horace Stoneham has had "several offers, more than two," to buy the club. Another source said there were at least seven or eight offers. The trade of Bonds was a surprising move for the Yankees: Bonds had been involved in a straight player deal last year, going trom the Giants for outfielder Bobby Murcer. homosexuality In an interview which the Star published"` yesterday Kopay admitted he prefers sex with men. " "I hope it, the disclosure, might help some people," he told the Star. "Especially young people who are going through similar experiences and haven't had anyone to made, but most are marks of-a team built on youth and aggressiveness. And youth is one of the easiest places to find want-to. Jeff Miller, Harvey Wooten, Pob Kinzer, Carvin Jefferson all show a lot of potential. And it seems they've already realized the essence of desire. Miller's high intensity, pressure defense, Wooten's composed ability to find the hoop it's all been very evident in Penn State's first four games of 1975-76. Basketball, regarding its standing among the great big Penn State sports family, has probably been in the doghouse more often than not in recent history. Whether that's been right or wrong you can bat that around all day. People have. They question everybody and everything but the width of the fldor boar* in Rec Hall. But that one may come this year. 4 -questions like that should arise. hOwever, they would be the cause of drastic changes in the performance Bach's team is priently giving. Without even making a painted effort at running the ball, the Lions have played what seems to.be some of the 'quickest basketball Rec Hall fans have seen in a while. Again, they've had some very slow moments as well. But it's not because they're a Penn State basketball team, it's because they're a young team. yam State is now playing .750 basketball. Ititiay finish the season losing, a lot more games; than winning them. Tint it wcin't . be because the players didn't have any want-to. Photo by Eric Felack talk to about it." Kopay, who played for six NFL clubs and the Southern California Sun of the defunct World Football League before quitting last year, said he doubted if any active pro player would admit homosexuality.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers