November 22, 1963
High Life
Page Nine
ATHLETICS, PLEASE
By Martin Hester
A great deal of criticism has been placed upon athletics as a degen
erative extra-curricular activity in the school life of today. Many educators
have singled it out as a cause of lower scholastic standards. They have
placed upon athletics tags of “senseless”, “time-wasting” and “unimpcui;-
ant.” Other influential people have raised their voices and have put their
doubts and fears on a tag called “dangerous.”
The above-mentioned accusations are in part true. Athletics, because
of the practice time element, do hinder most players by cutting down on
their number of study hours. However, there is a factor which keeps mem
bers of school teams educated as well as co-ordinated. In most educational
systems a passing average must be attained by sportsmen, while in others
stricter scholastic requirements are imposed.
Baseball, basketball, and especially football are dangerous. In num
erous instances players have been injured seriously, not to mention the
imcountable amount of cuts, sprains, and bruises suffered, and a few have
even been killed in practice or in games. Yes, sports are dangerous. But
then, so is crossing the street.
Sporting events are the main supports of school spirit and prestige.
A feeling of unity and purpose are felt by the student body on the day
of an important game or meet. The proceeds from these events, the gate
admission and concession revenue, go in large part to the school bankbook.
Add to the list the benefits of physical training, a knowledgable staff,
and a sportsmanlike attitude. Sugar with our tea, please. Athletics with our
education.
As the fourth period ended in
the Reynolds game, the football
merry-go-round of GHS grinded to
a very disappointing halt. The
Whirlies, originally picked for a
high spot in the Central 4-A, fin
ished sixth in the conference.
While the reasons for this differ
ence is predicted and actual fin
ishes are difficult to pinpoint,
injuries, and inexperienced back-
field, and the continual expansion
of Greensboro high schools are
definitely part of the sad season.
The past season will be remem
bered for its extremes. The Blue
and White 4-6 record was the
worst tally compiled since 1957
for a GHS football team. The
Whirties rolled up two large scores
against Gray and Salisbury, but
they also received their greatest
defeat in 12 years by losing 30-7
to Reynolds. The defeat at the
hands of the cross-town Pirates
will go down in both GHS and
Page history. In winning only one
game at home, school spirit sank
to possibly an all-time low point.
The 3 shut-outs against Raleigh,
Fayetteville, and High Point also
were disappointing.
While there were few victories
this year, several Whirlies made
outstanding records. Junior Bobby
Rives, in scoring 48 points and
gaining 523 rushing yards, led
the team in these vital statistics.
Other leaders included Lenny May-
nor. Frankie Leonard, and Lyn
Duncan. These three footballers
tied for second place in scoring
with 18 points each. It should be
noted that Duncan will play in the
annual Shrine Bowl game. Keith
Gulledge, Billy Mitchell, and Larry
Dempsey round out the backfield
stars. Outstanding linemen were
Colton Hartig, Ed Walke, Randy
Ariail, James Walker, and Bran
don James.
GHS Athletics
Receive Recognition
Each week the Junior Jaycees at
Grimsley Senior High School give
an award to the Whirlie player
who has contributed the best play
in any phase of school-supported
athletic activities. This is an at
tempt to recognize different
Grimsley stars whose plays may
have gone practically unnoticed at
the game.
Last week this award was pre
sented to Fred McCall of GHS’s
cross-country who placed second in
the state meet at Raleigh. The
other Whirlie of the week awards
went to members of the Varsity
football team. Quarterback Larry
Dempsey, Lennie Manyor, Lyn
Duncan. Bill Mitchell, and several
others have received this award
during the fall athletic season.
The receiver of the award is
decided upon by the Jaycees on
his merit in one particular game.
The presentation is made in as
sembly and the player’s name is
engraved on a plaque. This award
will continue to be presented
LUXURY CLEANING
At Popular Prices
SAME DAY SERVICE
Every Day el Ihe Week
Columbia Laundry
through baseball season in an at
tempt to recognize as many Whir
lie athletes as possible during the
year. Not only does this project
bring added glory to the honored
Whirlie played but also promotes
more interest in GHS sports ac
tivities. It is a definite step toward
achieving the goals set by the
past Greensboro Senior High
School.
Service Clubs End Season
The winners of the Inter-mural
Basketball League were the Inter
act Club and the O. Henry Jvmiors.
Led by Ed Fellers, Ken Murphy,
and Mike Cowhig, the Interactors
defeated the Key Club for the
rrown. In the girls' league, Louise
Homey and Margaret Transou
aced the O. Henry Juniors' win
over the Civinettes.
GHS STUDENTS MEET
AT
CASEY'S
FOR
GOOD FOOD AND
GOOD TIMES
Whirlie Tankmen
Become Early Birds
Every weekday morning sees ap
proximately 20 GHS students rise
early so as to report to the YMCA
at 7:00 a.m. These sacrificing boys
are members of one of Grimsley’s
strongest sports activities—swim
ming.
The tankmen’s coach. Bob Saw
yer. will readily admit that gradu
ation and transfers have hurt his
team. Last year’s state champ, Jim
Burwell, is now at Duke, and the
team’s most promising junior. Ran
dy Wade, has moved to Charlotte.
Yet, Coach Sawyer expects to
have another great season—with
his hopes resting on experienced
swimmers such as Larry Hannibal
and Bill Mullins, as well as prom
ising newcomers like Bill Lindley.
This year, for the first time, the
Central 4-A Conference will have
organized competition, thus provid
ing an opportunity for GHS to
capture the first conference crown
in this phase of athletics. Meets
outside the conference will take
much of the Whirlies’ time, and
Coach Sawyer says the schedule
will probably include some 20 con
tests.
The freshmen teams of the
North Carolina colleges. Meyers
Park of Greenville are among the
non-loop competition which the
Whirlies will meet. At least two
contests are planned before Christ
mas Holidays, and in the late win
ter the East Carolina College In
vitational (of which GHS is the
defending champion) will draw
this group.
As with most sports, the State
Meet is the climax of the season.
This meet will be held about the
second weekend in March,
Coach Sawyer lists the medley
relay, the individual relay, and the
breaststroke as the strongest
events for his squad. Last year
the medley relay was GHS’ leading
event and this season it is handled
by Larry Hannibal. Sam Patterson,
Neal Craven, and Dave Quinn—
almost surely a winning combina
tion.
Swimming for GHS this year in
the different events are:
Freestyle: Ted Burnett, Bill Mul
ling, Dave Quinn, A1 Richbourgh.
Craig and Mike Gibson. John Pet
ty, George Robinson. Bill Lindley,
Scott Striegel and Bill Holiday.
Backstroke—Larry Hannibal and
Bill Walters.
Butterfly—Neal Craven, Bennett
Boyles, Larry Dixon.
Breaststroke — Sam Patterson,
Wayne Smith, Jack Martin. Tom
Acree.