Last year at this time Coach Harold Sylvadore Ulen of the Varsity swimming squad was bemoaning the loss by graduation of the greatest team in Harvard aquatic history--the 1938 League Champions who in many ways rated the title of "the best dual meet team in the country." This year Hal's problem is different, for of last season's tankmen only Captain Rusty Greenhood, Harley Stowell, and Phil Walker have departed with the Class of '39. What he has left is a nucleus of experienced Seniors and Juniors, and a horde of Sophomores who make up in spirit for what they may lack in ability.

Probably 30 men of the present somewhat cumbersome squad have shown definite possibilities. At the top of the list, not only because he is captain of the team but for his superior performances, is Eric Cutler, lanky 220 and 440 free-style expert who was undefeated last season in the latter event and who placed second to Ohio State's Stanhope in the N.C.A.A. 1500-meter final last spring. Rick has not been hindered at all this year by the arm injury that kept him out of competition during his Sophomore year, the result being that his prospects are good enough for a national championship in the quarter-mile to be predicted for him by some observers.

Powers Should Improve

Cutler has been described as the most genuine and inspiring leader of Crimson tank forces in several years, while it can truthfully be said that not for a long time has such a real harmony of interests existed between captain and coach as it has this season. Frannie Powers, plucky middle-distance free-styler who earned much praise last year for his superb competitive spirit, is back again better than ever. He is expected to concentrate in the 100 and 220, though his first love is the 440.

Arthur Bosworth, who was captain of his Freshman team and who has been first Varsity backstroker ever since, will compete almost exclusively in the free-style sprint races this year, thereby fulfilling Coach Ulen's need for a fast sprinter and his own desire to swim on his face for a while. During his first year in the pool Art negotiated the 50 in very close to 24 seconds flat, and while his backstroke 100's which at one time approached the 1:02 mark are valuable, his sprinting ability will probably be more in demand this season.

Waldron Tops Butterfliers

Another veteran of many meets who is back again is Jack Walron, hardy breaststroker. Jack has worked his way onto the Varsity the difficult way, having shown a remarkable improvement in three years of competition. He now leads the butterfly experts on the squad and it is to be expected that his nervy finishes of last year will be seen once more during the next few months. Along with his extended training and experience, they should carry him to clockings in the vicinity of 2:35 in the 200-yard event. Ed Hewitt is shooting for the No. 2 post in the 440 and ought to hold it for a while with the assistance cf, or in spite of, a brand-new PBK key.

If plugger Hewitt can hold the fort against studies, Lonnie Stowell (now a distance man), and Bob White, who will be recovered from the effects of an appendectomy soon, he'll be doing a grand job. Big Jim Curwen, an All-American 100 man two years ago, is now working out and will be trying to bring his four-lap efforts down to the 53's again. A great deal of laboratory work is the biggest obstacle to Jim's breaking into the 52-second class again, so until the season is well under way, he must be regarded as an enigma.

And the Divers

The diving division is in the hands of Chet Sagenkahn and George Dana. Chet has cracked the 100-point mark in competition and is now tolling to make his last season his best. Dana, who scored 116 points against Yale last year, is a natural springboard artist, but so far this season has not been seen much at practice.