Fort Lewis College - Katzima Yearbook (Durango, CO)

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Mat Action Focused on Speed, Skill Sid Snyder holds a commanding advantage at this point over his opponent Art Bacon of Denver University during a dual meet this season in the Raider field house. Sny- der promises to be a big factor in moving Fort Lewis ahead in wrestling circuits. Jon Hotchkiss earned his letter this year as a freshman squad member. Jon here gains a leverage advantage over his opponent, Tom O ' Malley, an older matman of the University of Denver squad. Searching for a formula that would yield enthusiasm among the Fort Lewis fans and results in the arena, Coach Jerry McCollough molded this season ' s ef- forts around two seniors and a veteran junior letter- man. Otherwise comprised of willing and ready under- classmen, the squad numbered seven sophomores and five freshmen among its rani s. With only the two seniors, Ron Helland and John Wright, not returning. Coach McCollough hopes to put a scrapping team of middleclassmen on the mat in 1967 to cut a wide swath through the wrestling division in which Fort Lewis participates. Academically sound with a squad scholastic average of 2.5, the coach is not threatened with a loss because of standings in the grade depart- ment. Looking into the future somewhat, the coach visualizes several steps through which the Raiders will have to walk at a snail ' s pace, but which will, he hopes, ultimately occur. For one thing, the team will require a heat-controlled wrestling practice room; such a room will not be available for some time. With continued growth in participation by students. Coach McCollough will have one obstacle solved. At present he is lacking in depth within each weight. When meet time rolls around, the coach fills each weight even though the number one man in that poundage might be ill or injured. Such a move saves team points since a forfeit costs five match points or 50 for the season. Even if the second man, if one exists, loses the match, he is still saving points.

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Wrestlers Conclude Season Mat Meets With Two Victories Dave Hayward, above, top, faces off vriih Orlvn Bell seeking a takedovm. Hayward weighed in for Fort Lewis at the 160 division in this his freshman year. At left, Gary Walker finds himself in a breath-taking situation in the FLC field house. Walker, also a freshman, weighted in at 130 pounds. Above, middle, Harlan Stetnle sits out a meet because of flu. Harlan, a sophomore, tipped the scales at 137; he was a first-year letter- man in ' 6.5 and returned in ' 66. 119

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Ace heavy weight defender of the upper bracket, Ron Helland, left, fights the triple battle of strength, skill and poundage as he prepares to come-out from the referee ' s posi- tion. Pitted against wrestling ' s big- gest and toughest, Helland faced off—with opponents in a division where no upper limit was placed on weight. Even so, his six-win, two- loss record made him a respected opponent between Denver and Arizona. Ron Helland throws his weight into the situation, below, in a flying take-down against Dennis Patterick of Denver University. When both men hit the mat, Helland was on top, but did not have the advantage. This home tussle with Denver Uni- versity was one of the most demand- ing meets both for Helland and for the entire Fort Lewis squad. Spat- tered with freshmen and a majority of sophomores. Fort Lewis fielded a relatively young team in ' 66 with only two seniors.