Taking Each Other On for Size : The 6-3 Bryant and 5-9 Schain Take Their Best Shots Today

At first glance, today’s shot put duel between Keith Bryant of Birmingham High and Scott Schain of Granada Hills appears to be a terrible mismatch.

Bryant, 6-3, is a solid 235 pounds--the prototypical giant-sized shot-putter.

Schain, 5-9, weighs just 175.

That makes for a difference of more than six inches in height and 60 pounds.

But when the Braves and the Highlanders clash in a Mid-Valley League dual meet at 2 this afternoon at Birmingham, David will be favored over Goliath.

Schain’s speed and finesse have the edge over Bryant’s size and power.

Despite his size, Schain’s toss of 55-4 is the best in the City this spring, edging Monroe’s Paul Kim (55-3 3/4). Schain finished second in the City championships last year with a 53-10 3/4 put.

Bryant owns the City’s fourth best mark at 54-8. As a junior last year, he was tops in City with a throw of more than 56 feet, but finished a disappointing sixth in the City finals.

The size disparity is just one of many differences between the two 18 year olds.

--While Schain is intense, exacting and has devised an elaborate ritual, including hypnosis, to “psyche” himself up for big meets, Bryant is more easygoing and unassuming, not spending a great deal of time on mental preparation.

--Schain has spent hours teaching himself the “spin” technique, which is favored by world-class competitors Dave Laut and Brian Oldfield but rarely is found on the prep level. He is absorbed with the intricacies of the event, while Bryant, relying on raw power rather than technique, favors the traditional “O’Brien” method, lunging across the circle.

--For Schain, the shot put is a year-round crusade. He is dedicated to excelling in the event. For Bryant, the shot put is more of a diversion. His first love is football. As a sophomore and a junior, he was an all-league defensive end but failed to win recognition last fall when he switched to offensive tackle.

“I became a dedicated shot-putter in the ninth grade,” Schain said. “After I won the City ‘B’ championship my sophomore year, I realized that with my size it would be to my advantage to move quicker if I’m going to compete on the varsity. So I made the change to the spin in 11th grade.”

Schain began to study the techniques of Laut and Oldfield, watch films of world-class shot-putters and read books on the subject. He even videotaped the Pepsi Invitational.

In executing the “spin,” Schain toes the back of the circle and makes two counterclockwise revolutions before reaching the top of the ring and unloading the 12-pound ball.

“The spin takes a long time to learn,” Schain said. “You need great speed and tremendous coordination and explosiveness. You really have to master the technique and mental program.”

Schain credits his stepfather, Arnold Van den Berg, an investment counselor, with devising the mental program that has played a major part in his success.

“My father hypnotizes me every night,” Schain said. “He puts me into a deep state of relaxation by playing classical music and putting me through breathing drills. When he snaps his fingers, that’s my cue to go into a deep sleep. I let him take control of my body under hypnosis.

“He tells me, ‘Now you’ll be relaxed. You’ll have a good day tomorrow and a good practice.’ He programs me for the big meets. It’s a combination of auto-suggestion, visualization and relaxation drills,” Schain said.

In addition, Schain said that he has motivational signs, such as “I’m 1985 City Champ,” hanging up in his room.

“I hope to eventually become a sports psychologist,” said Schain, who would like to go on to San Diego State to compete and pursue his studies in psychology. “It definitely beats drugs, because you know you are doing it--that it’s coming from within you. You get a natural high when you pull off a big victory. I’ve seen too many athletes in the Olympics and pros choke under pressure. U.S. athletes have to hit the mental program.”

Schain added: “Keith is a real nice guy. He plays football, so he can’t practice year round like I do. I think it will be a close, exciting meet. There will be a lot of mental energy going into his throws and mine.”

Bryant, who is bused in with his brother and sister from South-Central Los Angeles, smiled when he was told of Schain’s psychological techniques.

“I’m not into psyching myself up,” he said. “I’m into meditating. I think about it for a little while and then I go out and do it. Schain is a pretty cool guy. I don’t talk to him much. He is an excellent shot putter.”

And Bryant does express agreement with Schain on the importance of technique in the shot put.

“I have a sizable weight advantage, but technique has everything to do with it,” he said. “My size doesn’t hurt. I have to work on using my legs more. I don’t want to stand put. I’ve seen Schain’s spin method, but I thought it would be too late for me to change. Maybe after high school I’ll give it a try.”

Bryant wants to make up for last year’s disappointing shot put finish and frustrating 1984 football campaign.

“My best sport was football until this year,” he said. “I had some differences with the coach. He didn’t play me at the position I won all-league in two years in a row. I love football. I love to hit. But I’m not a violent person.”

This year, Bryant said that he is bringing himself along at a slower pace with the shot put, hoping to peak in time for the City meet.

He will attend UCLA in the fall, where he plans to major in computer science and perhaps attempt to make it as a walk-on for coach Terry Donahue.

Both Schain’s coach, Richard Francola, and Bryant’s, Mike McConahey, feel that the two athletes will obliterate their respective school records before the season ends. The Highlander record of 58-5 3/4 was established in 1969 by former USC lineman Greg Marderian; Birmingham’s record of 58-9 was set in 1966 by McConahey’s late brother, Cliff.

And both coaches have only warm words of praise for their proteges.

“I think Scott’s the best 170-pound varsity shot-putter in the United States,” said Francola. Everything he’s accomplished, he’s accomplished because he’s probed into areas of the mind most high school athletes never go.

“He’s totally down on drugs and steroids. He will not violate his body to fight a size problem.”

“Keith is a a fine student with a 3.2 grade point average,” McConahey said. “As a sophomore, he played in three sports--football, basketball and track--as a junior, two, and in his senior year, three. He’s a good citizen, a high-quality kid.”

This afternoon will decide if Schain’s speed can prevail over Bryant’s power--and who will have the inside track to the City’s shot put crown.

TALE OF THE TAPE SCOTT SCHAIN KEITH BRYANT Height 5-9 6-3 Weight 175 lbs. 235 lbs. Technique Spin O’brien Best Throw 55-4 54-8 Comment “You have “I’m not into to master psyching up. the mental I’m into program.” meditating.”