The Observer, February 22, 2008
Volume XL, Issue 18
Spartan Spotlight: Bob Gavlak
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Bob Gavlak is a senior finance major who hails from Brunswick, Ohio. The Holy Name High School product is in his eighth year of wrestling. He's a heavyweight and a two-time Academic All-American.
Joe Amick: Who inspired you to wrestle?
Bob Gavlak: My dad always wanted me to and I was tired of my brother beating my ass.
JA: Any hobbies?
BG: Rock Band, eating, crochet. Also starting my own business (www.freshforkmarket.com). Free plug!
JA: Hey, I'm being used. :-(. What made you want to get into the produce business?
BG: Honestly, I kind of fell into it, but I really enjoy food and helping the economy isn't so bad either.
JA: It's nice to see a non-Italian get into the biz. Favorite athlete?
BG: Joey Chestnut, I wish I could eat wieners like he does.
JA: I'm more of a fan of Takeru Kobayashi, or Kaz Tadano. Athletic honors?
BG: I'm pretty honored to wrestle with Chris Nader in practice.
JA: Sir, that isn't an actual honor. What's your worst wrestling memory?
BG: Getting stuck in the regional semifinals my sophomore year at Case in front of the home crowd.
JA: What's your favorite quote?
BG: "The only way to make yourself better is to make yourself uncomfortable." It's true, think about it.
JA: So your Joey Chestnut comment will make the reader better. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
BG: Making millions, sitting at home playing Rock Band, and eating pizza rolls.
JA: Is it too late to get in on this Fresh Fork Market thing? Remember me? I'm the guy that gave you that free plug. What makes wrestling stand out from other sports?
BG: How good we look.
JA: False. Would you rather have the strength of 1000 men, be able to fly, or be invisible?
BG: I would fly. I'm pretty strong already, and being invisible just means you can be a creep and nobody knows.
JA: A good answer. If they made a movie about your life, who would you want to play you?
BG: LeBron James.
JA: Same eyeballs. What's your least favorite thing about wrestling?
BG: I would say cutting weight, but I'm a fat kid. I guess I would say getting up early for tournaments.
JA: If you could be a girl for a day, what would you do?
BG: Find Bob Gavlak and make out with him.
JA: Simple and elegant. If you could participate in any other sport, which would you pick and why?
BG: I would be a professional bodybuilder.
JA: What's the one thing that most people don't know about wrestling?
BG: We actually really enjoy wearing our singlets.
JA: How do you keep one of those things clean?
BG: Wrestle naked.
JA: Piece of cake. What goes through your mind during a match?
BG: Not a whole lot, I try to block it out. But sometimes I think about how good Dave Manoogian looks.
JA: Yeah, you can't block that out. Who is the best athlete you've ever competed against and why?
BG: I wrestled Norman Birenbaum many times; he's the best wrestler east of the Mississippi.
JA: What's the high point in the wrestling season?
BG: Still to come – when my teammates and I qualify for the national tournament.
JA: Good luck.
