This spring marks the 23rd that Bert Haines has been coaching Harvard crews, and under his veteran eye a promising squad of 150-pounders is rounding into form. Graduation and acceleration have torn to shreds the great eight of last year, but Haines has the material with which to fashion another.

For the books, the 1941 Varsity lightweights rowed the fastest Henley over the Charles on record, and that includes efforts by heavy crews. On the crest of a squall the H. H. Haines special covered the mile and five-sixteenths in 6:40, a full second under the course record set by the 1942 Freshman boat in 1939.

Lots of Experienced Oars

On the same afternoon the Jayvees finished an undefeated season, as did the Freshmen, and in the Junior Varsity race the Crimson thirds placed second, well in front of the Tech and Princeton Jayvees in an exhibition which one humiliated Bengal was heard to term a "blatant display of excess power."

What makes this history timely and encouraging is the fact that of last year's squad of 24 oarsmen, 16 were members of the Class of 1943, and, as such, are available for service this spring, along with the '44 sweepswingers.

Only Three Holdovers

Of the eight oarsmen who set that record, only three remain. Johnny Abbot at stroke, Dick Swanson at six, and Captain Bobby Lincoln at four. Seth Crocker and Pete Koeniger graduated in June; Bill Rothschild finished in February; and Ollie Biddle and Johnny Powell are not out for rowing this spring.

Although he will not choose any definite Varsity lineup until after vacation, Haines has the stern of his boat pretty much settled. Sophomore Dick Moot has filled in at seven, and Andy Guadielle, who rowed on the Varsity a good deal early last spring, is in at five. The three main contenders for the bow positions seem to be Beanie Gilchrist, Tony Whittemore, and Snelling Robinson. Caleb Brokaw is again the coxswain.

Plenty of Good Strokes

Haines has a profusion of good strokes. Frank Cunningham, captain and stroke of the '44 boat, is currently pacing the Jayvees, and a former Freshman heavy stroke, Fezzy Morse, is now taking care of the third lightweight shell.

Ever since the crews took to the water, some two weeks ago, Haines has had five Varsity eights practicing, but these will be cut to three before the end of the term, and during the vacation he will work less on individuals and more on crews as a whole.

This year's Freshmen are a promising lot, according to Haines, who has four men who have never been in a boat before this year, working out in his potential first boat, but as yet it is still too early to make any rash statements.