PAGE EIGHT THE MICHIGAN DAILY WEDNESDAY. 3 FEBRUARY 1965" PAGE EIGHT THE MICHIGAN DAHA WEDNESDAY. 3 FEBRUARY 1965 PLAYS THE HEAVY: Understudy Spaly Emerges as Star F, U 11 I I ON ATE STRE WEDNESDAY-THURSDAY-FRIDAY It [: I -Daily-Jim Lines HEAVYWEIGHT WRESTLER BOB SPALY tries to score a take- down on his opponent in last year's meet with Penn State. Spaly finished second in the Big Ten and third -in the NCAA tournament last year and is undefeated so far this season in dual meet competition. By BOB CARNEY Once just an understudy, Bob Spaly has finally gained top billing. Spaly-who looks more like one of Hollywood's heroes than a heavyweight wrestler-has had to play the role of understudy to one of Michigan's great heavyweights, Jack Barden, for ,the past three seasons. As a freshman, a sophomore, and even last year when Spaly held down the starting spot as a junior, the lanky 200-pounder was known to many Midwestern wrestling fans as simply "the guy who replaced Jack Barden." Status Changes But since last year's season opener, his status has changed con- siderably. Spaly's dual meet record alone, an impressive 10-1-2, might have been enough to convince some observers of the fact that he could hold his own against any opponent. To the coaches and fans who had wit- nessed the flawless performances of wrestlers like Barden and Denny Fitzgerald, however, a victory-laden season record wasn't enough. It would be in the Big Ten tournament and in the NCAA championship that he would show his true colors. Spaly did. In the Big Ten championship he lost only once-in the finals- and brought home the runnerup trophy as the Wolverines took the Big Ten title. And in an even more impressive showing in the NCAAs, Spaly again met defeat only once and walked away with a third place finish. Out of the Wings With those two performances, Spaly silenced any would-be critics, and ended his "backstage" existence. Improvement, however, has con- tinued for the native Ann Arborite, who apparently isn't satisfied with 'just second.' In five dual meets this season, Spaly has yet to lose, pin- ning one opponent at Pitt, and shutting out three others. His victory at Illinois in the Big Ten opener is symbolic of the progress the ex-Barden-protege has made. In that one he completely dominated the match, three times came within inches of pinning his opponent, and emerged with a 13-0 victory. Besides these dual meet wins,a Spaly placed third in the Midlands" Tournament during the holidays behind Olympian Larry Kristoffr and Morehead State's Bob Bill- berg, whom Spaly refers to as "the next national champ." *Pushes Barden "Spaly's come a long way i three years," says Coach Cliff, Keen. "He couldn't wrestle be- cause of Barden as a sophomore, of course, but 'even then he was pushing Jack hard enough to send i n discussing Spaly's improve- ment since that time, Keen cites a somewhat surprising factor con- sidering the stereotype of the typ-, ically massive, less-than-intelli- gent heavyweight wrestler: a BOB SPALY sharp mental attitude. "Bob knows what's going on. every minute he's in there," says Keen. "He's an exceptionally fine competitor." Spaly himself recognizes the importance of mental conditioning in the man-to-man situation that wrestling provides. Nervousness "Nervousness is natural," he says, "but if a wrestler allows him- self to become overly nervous, he tires muh more quickly, and gives an inferior opponent a chance to 'psych him out'." And if Spaly doesn't fit the stereotype of the heavyweight wrestler mentally, neither does he in physical makeup. He's taler-6' 2"-and lighter-he could wrestle at 191 pounds-than nearly every one of his Big Ten opponents, and often finds himself looking down at a stocky 230-pounder with a neck size of 20. The situation has brought with it both advantages and dis- advantages. In the former category Keen cites Spaly's ability to "cover the mat well," and Spaly points to the fact that several holds-those requiring control of both his legs and his waist-are virtually impos- sible for an opponent to get on him. Problems Too But his stature has caused him problems at times too, especially in the weight department where he may find himself the slimmer by 20 or 30 pounds. "In a situation like that, I just can't afford to be caught on the bottom," says Spaly. "If I'm taken down, I use a quick, stand-up escape." Despite the disadvantages, however, this combination of a good mental disposition and a unique physical stature have helped Spaly to become one of the team's real "stylists." "I like to 'shoot' from the side and use a one-leg takedown," he says, "and right now I'm working on a new riding style." The change in style is designed to bring more opportunities for pins, and involves riding the opponent around the legs rather than higher on the body. Safer Ride 'It's a safer ride for a lighter wrestler," claims Spaly. "And it'll give me more opportunity to use my legs in working for the pi." In his 13-0 victory at Illinois, Spaly did just that. Using the "guillotine" he came within inches of pinning his opponent three different times, and gained three near falls. Aside from escape methods, guillotine holds, and new riding § 1 4 A4 B argain Days F eb. 3-Feb. 6 § Asubstantial saviugs is offeyed on a special gr o § of clothing and furnishin gs. §1 §§ § Ja cket a nd Ca r Co as ... . .. Y2 Off § § § §§ i Other itemsz greatly fedutCed fo quick sales 4 9 32 Soth SateSt.,AnnAr br 4 Eas AdrnsDeto t xe********A; BARGAIN DAYS AT DISCOUNT RECORDS $2.39 $2.9 $3.59 0/0 ffCATALOG 40% of PRICE V 1 2 4. 5 6 .Kingsmen - Vol. 3 Righteous Bros. - You've Lost That Lovin Feeling Supremes - Where Did Our Love Go Dionne Warwick - Make Way * Beatles '65 . Goldfinger Sound- track 7. Swingle Singers - Anyone for Mozart? 8. Jimmy Smith - The Cat 9. Judy Collins in Concert 12. Nancy Wilson - Live Show 13. Chad Mitchell - Typical American Boys 14. Frank Sinatra - Softly 15. Bill Cosby -I Started Out as a Child 4 1 0. Mary Poppins Soundtrack { 11. 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