TIZE MICHIGAN DAIIV SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11W MI~JUIGAN DAIIV SUNDAY, DECEMBER Track Becomes Year-round Sport By BILL PHELPS In the "good old days," the track fan had only a few short spring months during which he could fol- low action in his favorite sport. During the last two decades, however, he has found an increas- ing amount of competition to fol- low all year round. Because of improving time and distance standards, track and field athletes have been forced to train and practice during the fall and winter as well as spring in order to keep up with their peers. Competition Thrives Because American sport thrives only under competition, it is logi- cal for these athletes to develop new types of contests to keep them sharp while practicing for the all- important spring and summer meets. After the late summer layoff, the runners begin to strengthen their Cy, ALL-AMERICAN-Bobby Watt earned this honor while just a junior last winter. The Michigan captain is the cornerstone of the Michigan defense again this season. muscles, build up their wind, and perfect their form with cross- country running in the fall. They prefer the soft turf of a golf course or park for this condi- tioning work as it is easier on the feet and the change of terrain' breaks the monotony of running on the regular cinder oval. Even the jumpers and "weight men" en- joy the freedom of training on the fairways. Obstacle Course Competition usually starts ini late October with the harriers run- ning from three to six miles long. These are spotted with brooks to be forded, fences to be jumped and often snow banks to be plowed through. After the cold weather comes, the track and field men move in- doors. Here they lift weights to build up their thigh and shoulder muscles, and begin to work out on board and dirt tracks at the dis- tances they expect to run in the winter meets. The high jumpers, pole vaulters and broad jumpers' hit their re- spective runways for their first concentrated practice on form since the summer. Shot putters pick up their 16-pound balls of iron and return to their labors in the eight-foot circle. Early February The big indoor track meets start in early February and feature events akin to, but different from the outdoor meets. The distances are usually shorter and more adaptable to the smaller 1/10th mile tracks. These are also de- signed to help the runners practice fundamentals without wearing themselves out before the outdoor season begins. For the sprinters and short dis- tance hurdlers, there are 60-yard dashes. The middle distance men man try their skills at 300-, 600- and 800-yard runs which approxi- mate the more familiar quarter and half-mile distances. The mile and two-mile events are usually retained because of their popularity and the tremen- dous interest in the times over these distances. The field events are un"hanged because of their' inflexibility. Ofter these events are' the most closely watched indoors since there is the constant possi- bility that new world record might be set here in the "off season." Dual Meets In strictly college competition,' dual meets between two schools often generate much excitement as previews to the impending outdoor' season and give the coaches a chance to watch more of their boys in competition than do the crowded all-conference meets. As the weather warms up again, the thinclads move back outdoors to stretch their cramped muscles over the longer distances again. On the eve of the regular "full dress" season, the coaches take a last look at all their potential in the relay meets. Here they can enter four men instead of one in each event and pick their special- ists for each race later on. With all of these different types of meets tc flavor the track menu, the track and field devotee now finds plenty of action to satisfy his wants. Track and field has become a year-round sport. Star Defenseman Watt Happy at 'M' the top players in Canadian jun- ior hockey (under 20 years) last4 winter, and I'd give Red a pretty1 fair chance at becoming one of the first graduates of the colleget game to play in the National1 Hockey League." Asked about his own feelings concerning professional hockey, Watt gave appreciative mention to the name of Joe Primeau, ex- Toronto star and now director of the Maple Leaf farm system. "I asked Joe for an honest opin- ion of my chances to play pro hockey," Watt related. Primeau had seen the young defenseman in' action for St. Mike's of Toronto. "Joe told me that I could make the American Hockey League (a minor pro league) if I worked my head off, but that he didn't think' I could ever make the big time." No Regrets "That made up my mind, be- cause I felt that if I couldn't make it to the majors, I'd be better off getting an education." Watt's de- cision was one which he has never had cause to regret. He makes no bones about his preference for American-style col- lege hockey as compared to the Canadian brand. "Body-checking is legal any- place on the ice in Canada," he pointed out. "It's drilled into you from the start (about age 8) that your concern is with the man and not the puck." Watt sees excitement for the fans as the biggest bonus of the altered college rules. "Frequently you see a wild race for the puck in the college game. This rarely happens in Canada - the players are too busy keeping their oppo- nent from the puck." Rules Differ "Another rule in the college games puts a greater burden on the defenseman, though," he said, referring to the fact that a pass can be legally completed across two lines (blue line and red line). "This makes -an added threat out of the player who hangs around center ice waiting for a break-away opportunity. If the defenseman gets caught at the opponents' blue-line, he can cost his team a goal." Watt, one of seven married men on the hockey squad, stands as a tribute to coach Renfrew's phil- osophy about hockey and educa- tion. "Al's approach is strictly low- pressure," Watt said. "He told all the fellows at the beginning of the season to miss practice if they had pressing academic assign- ments. He is vitally concerned that the guys on the team use their education to make some- thing of themselves." If Bobbie Watt is a representa- tive specimen, Renfrew's ap- proach is speaking quite well for itself. I OPEN UNTIL 8:30 MON., WED., THURS., FRI. INCE 184._. unusually lkeable JEWELRY BOXES. A ,very large assortment of fine leather boxes including an exclusive line of imports from Florence, Italy. $3.95 to $15.95. CUFF LINKS, tie clasps and tacks from the popular priced $2.95 sets to genuine stones at $30, q BILLFOLDS of finest imported and domestic leathers. Initialed free-$3.50 to $100. 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