friday, October 2, 1931
daily nebraskan
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Hartung finds motivation to improve
despite end of Bart Conner rivalry
By Patty Pryor
Oklahoma's Bart Conner may be out of the picture for
the 1931-82 gymnastics season, but Nebraska's Jim Har
tung has no intention of letting Conner's absence weaken
his own competitive drive.
Conner, who graduated from the University of Okla
homa last spring, was frequently Hartung's toughest com
petition. The two often battled each other for top honors,
both nationally and internationally.
"No matter who's there (vying for the top spot), Lm
always going to be working to improve," Hartung said.
However, the close competition with Conner had its
advantages, he added, particularly in providing motivation.
"The first time 1 competed against him, he was a very
formidable opponent, and I knew that to achieve the goals
I wanted to, he was somebody I was going to have to beat,
Hartung said. "I'm sure it made me work a little harder
CFA wants . . .
Continued from Page 10
"The CFA is a very valuable organization,"' James said.
"We need individual organizations because of the 700
schools in the NCAA are not all are involved with specific
issues."
"For example, if there was an issue on ice hockey, only
ice hockey schools should vote on it," he said.
James said the Big Eight joined the CFA because it
needed a means to discuss procedures. But he said it was
up to the individual school whether to join.
Don Bryant, assistant director of the Athletic Depart
ment, said Nebraska joined because the major football in
stitutions Yeto they didn't have a voice in governing: them
selves because the NCAA is so big.
Bryant said he didn't know for sure what benefits Ne
braska will get out of being involved with the CFA.
"Well just have torfcait and see, he said.
At the time, there were only three male gymnasts, Con
ner, Kurt Thomas and himself, competing for the No. I
spot, Hartung said. But now, there are a number of gym
nasts who potentially gualify for top world ranking.
In light of his recent victories against Conner, including
both the NCAA and USGF championships last spring, the
Caesar's Palace Invitational last summer and the World
Games Trials last month, Hartung is widely considered the
world's top gymnast
Whether he agrees or not, the pressures of such a con
sideration can be just as great as any pressure created by a
rivalry with Conner, Hartung said.
"I try not to think about it (the top ranking)," he said,
"because there's nothing I can do about it.
"But if I improve or if I stay stagnant, that's up to me,
so I'm going to keep working."
Conner's graduation, then, has not given Hartung any
room to relax. His own teammates will provide more than
enough challenge to keep him in competitive form, he said.
"I've got plenty of competition right here with the guys
at home, he said.
"A soon as 1 let down, Scott Johnson's going to walk,
all over me, and he might, anyway," he added.
Other than his own team, Hartung said he expects to
face strong competition from UCLA, particularly from
Peter Vidmar, Mitch Gaylord and Tim Daggett.
"I'm a lot more worried about the talent at UCLA than
I ever was about anyone from Oklahoma, he said.
Despite the attention focused on the individual rivalry
between himself and Conner, Hartung said he prefers the
team aspect of such competition.
"I like being out there with my friends, pumping them
and having them pump me," he said. "Its more fun 'nan
being out there alone.. .
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Daily Nebraskan photo
Nebraska gymnast Jim Hartung will compete in col
legiate gymnastics, without rival Bart Conner of Ok
lahoma. Conner graduated, but Hartung says he has
plenty ot competition trom his own Nebraska teammates.
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