In the five years since Norman Junior High became West and Central, the new school has held the upper hand in sports most of the time.

This, however, may be the Year of the Cub.

Coach Jim Sandefer's Central Cubs struggled to a 1-6-2 record in football last year, finished 5-17 in basketball and did little better in track.

Injuries, however, played a large part in the grid campaign and, as a result, several eighth graders were pressed into starting roles. These are the same players who did not lose a scrimmage game as seventh graders and also have performed well with the seventh and eighth grade basketball teams.

The Cub gridders return four offensive and two defensive starters. Several squadmen also return and Sandefer could be helped by a couple of transfers.

West, under the guidance of Karl Malthaner, would up 5-1-2 in football and 14-7 in basketball. Malthaner, who has headed up Wildcat sports fortunes since the school was opened, looks for his forces to be h own a little from last year but blessed with balance and desire.

Central can start with 160 pound fullback Craig Heavner and a pair of quarterbacks who shared starting duty last year, Bobby Wells and Larry Davis. Guard Randy Brown also started while end Rodney Marsh and tackle Robert Landers were defensive regulars.

The Cubs also could get help from Keith Wampler, Larry Weaver, cousins Mike and Joe Ralls and Eddie Bender. Robert Burris, a 6-3, 180 pounder transfers from St. Joseph and Woodward send Dwight Moore. Seventh graders Tom McCurley and Dwight Young also might fill positions.

"We'll be a little more experienced than we were a year ago." Admitted Sandefer, who would as soon fall down stairs as sound optimistic.

"After the first two games last year, we had five boys hurt. At that we didn't do badly except in the won-lost column, and the worst we lost was by two touchdowns. The boys effort was real good all season and I think their desire is high again.

"These boys have played well together ever since they were seventh graders - I think maybe they like to win. We'll be a little bigger than last year and we should have a strong first team, if not much depth."

Burris could make a lot of difference in the freshman cage squad, which had only one man over 6-0 last year.

Wells, Landers, Heavner and Davis were the nucleus of the eighth grade team that was 14-6 last campaign. Wampler, Moore and Bender also are available and Sandefer says cautiously, "We should hit 500 or better in basketball."

The track picture is bright with sprinters Davis and Wells, pole vaulter - high jumper Moore, distance man Bender and all events performer Heavener. Sprinter Bill Blevins is among the upcoming seventh graders. The eighth graders were 5-1 in dual competition last season.

Malthaner has back five football lettermen - tackle-fullback Jimmy Belden, halfbacks Gary Dickinson and Johnny Hill, and guards Ricky Priest and Wayne Tanaka. Returning squadmen are Bob Dow, John Harrison and Billy McClard.

Malthaner names speedster Steve Herr, tail John O'Hara, David McCray, John Ryan and Jim Argo as eighth graders who are likely to bid for varsity grid berths.

In basketball, Dickinson, Dow, Hill, Priest and sharp-shooter Chris Tankersley should form the nucleus of a small team. Priest, at 5-10, is the tallest boy on the squad. Brad Bush, Pat McCoy, Scotty McNabb and Jerry Halsey back up that group.

Up from the seventh grade which had a good year, are Scott Blair, Larry Boyd, Randy Crow, Brady Hall, Herr, Mike Lynch, Rick Veal, Mike Webb, McCray and O'Hara.

Seventh graders who "did some good things last year" could boost Wildcat track fortunes, Malthaner said. The thinclads, however, are not deep in talent.

Dickinson is the lone returning letterman. His specialty is the 440, and he also sprints. Hill earned a numeral. Herr, a sprinter, and McCray, a distance runner, could team with Bruce Remy and Dickinson in the relays. Remy also is a hurdler who showed improvement last year.

Darrell Dodson, another eighth grader likely will shot put. O'Hara broad jumps and Argo is a high jumper.

Wrestling is improving at both schools. Between them, they produced five grapplers who placed in the 1963 state junior high tournament and both programs are expected to be strong again this fall under new coaches.

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