George C Marshall High School - Columbian Yearbook (Falls Church, VA)

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' tfi Opposite page, above left: Coach Everett Cloud studies the offense in the Groveton scrimmage. Opposite page, below: Two JV punt returners await specialty teams prac¬ tice. Above left: Mike Gless awaits throws from the quarterbacks while warming up. Above Varsity football team enjoys a break from the August heat.

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Forecasts excellent Preseason football practice was a true test of the players’ dedication. The grueling three to four hour practice sessions began twice a day on the morning of August 14. It immedi¬ ately became obvious how each athlete had spent his summer, as tests were given to de¬ termine the speed, strength, agility, and en¬ durance of the candidates. These included, among others, exercises in weight-lifting, 40 yard sprints, 15 yard backwards sprints, bench jumps for quickness, and the infamous 3x300, scourge of all good linemen. The results were compared with spring testing, and the “Top 22”, the squad’s 22 best-condi¬ tioned players, were picked. The first week of practice consisted mainly of running drills which did not require the use of pads. It was during this time the players learned the true meaning of the word “thirst”, as temperature and humidity both seemed stuck in the 80’s or 90’s. A new drill called “Five-Fifths” or “Mile with a Smile” was in¬ troduced and run every Monday. The number of candidates began to dwindle as people cut themselves. A few Offensive and Defensive meetings were held to teach various plays and sets. Old game films were sometimes shown as teaching aids, and Coach Henry’s wildmen were forced to exercise their mental capacities. Equipment was soon issued, and then the real work began. It seemed that the purpose of the pads was to make practice hotter. And it was hot. Water breaks were few and far be¬ tween as the serious business of “Line ’em up and hit” got underway. Now and then a wel¬ come rain fell, offering some relief. Sideline drills, ball drills, and everybody’s favorite, “Lover’s Lane”, a one-on-one matchup, oc¬ cupied much of practice time. In between practices, players returned home to grab a bite to eat and to sleep. A quick dip in a pool massaged the sore bones and muscles that the next day’s practice always brought back. Finally, the team started to shape up. A few early scrimmages provided experience for the rookies who managed to stick it out, and reminded the veterans what competition was like. The team did well in these, a good omen for the season to come.

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It was lucky that little homework was as¬ signed during the first week of s chool, Sep¬ tember 5-12, because the all-popular evening activity during the week was watching the Olympics on TV. Superhuman efforts by athletes of all nations and record-breaking action in nearly every contest, along with the glitter of pomp and attractive new sports stars, made the 1972 Olympic games, held in Munich, West Germany, memorable world¬ wide. The American teams made a commendable showing, but the real thrill of the Olympics was international in character — the universal exhilaration of athletic competition and achievement. As the week opened with swimming events, the United States was in the spotlight. On the men’s team, Mark Spitz splashed to five gold medals in four days, with his closest competi¬ tion coming from American teammates Gary Hall and Steve Genter. (Spitz’s flashy smile and cocky confidence made him popular at once with the American fans back home; and when it became clear that his own prediction that he would win seven gold medals might come true, he rapidly became the center-of- attention of the U.S. team.) The women’s swimming team, too, was doing well as the Olympics began. Missy Belote from nearby Lee High School headed the team, winning three gold medals for the U.S., but the Americans were somewhat out¬ done by the Australians, mainly Shane Gould. East German athletes in various areas also showed their abilities — in the kayak and ca¬ noeing races, swimming, and gymnastics, in which Karin Janz won two gold medals and a silver one. Gymnastics, however, was domi- Left: Mark Spitz beams from Mrs. Mary Gay nated by the Russians - Ludmilla ToUriS- cheva, Tamara Lazakovich, and Olga Korbut, nents who proceeded, with beautiful finesse, to garner three gold medals.