Graduation is the nemosis of Coach Jacko Mikkola's Varsity track team-1941 edition. It has left the barest skeleton of a cinder squad from which to construct a formidable aggregation able to carry the Crimson colors to victory in the wearying spring schedule that opens with a B.C. practice meet Saturday, faces Dartmonth's powerful Big Green on May 10, and roaches a climax with the Yale contest on May 24.

An Influx of new and young blood is the magic but treacherous formula from which Mikkola is concocting his team. If these less experienced men can develop fast and completely enough, Mikkola will yet be able to overcome his current handicap but it is a long "if."

At this pre-season point, the quality of the squad, although it is constantly improving, is still behind that of last year's at a similar time. Only fifteen of Harvard's forty points in last season's Yale flasco have returned. It appears that it will be a weak season and Mikkola's strong interest in his Freshman runners may indicate a search for richer pastures for the future.

A number of veterans in the dashes, hurdles, and shot put make these the currently powerful events. Sprinting in the 100 and 200 will be Doug Pirnie, recently crowned unofficial college dash champion by virtue of his twin win in the Handicaps Saturday, and Charley Smith, whose promising showing of two years ago was slowed up by leg injuries last season. These two ten-second men will be supported by last year's Freshman dash star, Bob Trainor.

Captain Don Donahue, who holds the college record in the low hurdles, tops the barrier toppers, both high and low. With Roger Schafer, fast and experienced, also running, the hurdles are one of Mikkola's strongest events. Probable number three man is Don Mackinnon, who captained last year's Yardlings.

The promising field event will be the shot put with the pair of powerhouses, Dick Pfister and Sophomore John Shattuck, bearing the brunt of the burden. Each has surpassed 45 feet and Tom O'Loughlin is steadily approaching it. This same trio will hurl the discus, but their record there is less assuring.

Harvard is shaky in the distance runs. Both Dan Hamilton and Frank McKechnie are fifty-second men for the 440 but not yet consistent winners. Tom Watkins, a converted sprinter, and Sophomores Ted Graves and Larry Corbett, who have broken fifty-three seconds are the other men in the quarter. In the half-mile Bill Young and Rolle Campbell, out of school last year but having done 1:56 two years ago, are most promising. Fred Phinney and Paul Cook, at present incapacitated with a bad leg, lead the supporting cast.

The field of milers is large and fairly experienced but has yet to break any records. Bob Houghton, Kay Rogers, Don McCaul, Joe McLoughiln, and Bill Young are favored to be off with the gun Saturday. Bob Nichois the only Crimson runner to score in his event at New Haven last spring, sparks the twomilers. Also on the slate for the longest distance are Bob Jay, Tom McEligott, and Bob Kent. If Lang Burwell recovers soon enough from his vacation skiing accident he is expected to strengthen this event considerably.

Bob Partlow, able to do 23 feet and 6 feet with case, will spark both the broad and high jump. Dave Ives is second man in the broad by virtue of his past leaps of more than 22 feet. John Bunker, who can also get up to 6 feet, and Mike Zara will team with Partlow in the high.

Mike Ford is the leading pole vaulter with Chet d'Autremont not quite able to equal Ford's 13 feet as yet. Bill Couch and Steve Brooks are the other vaulters. The hammer throw has Bob Chase and Tom White both guaranteeing performances better than 140 feet with Chases a shade more than that. Harold Smith is the third tosser in that event. At this point the javelin is probably Mikkola's weakest event, with an undeveloped group led by Tem Lacey, John Ordway, and Bob Chase.