A bad fall at the start of the third leg of the mile relay prevented the varsity track from bringing home first place honors Saturday night at the Knights of Columbus meet in the Garden.

Bob Rittenburg had just taken the baton from Paul Grand, and was rounding the curve when he slipped and fell. When he got up, the Crimson, which had been a close third was a distant fourth. Fourth it remained, too, despite a fine anchor leg by Al Howe. Columbia won, with Princeton second, and Yale third.

Loses Semi-Finale

Norman Bruck, freshman sprinter, got off to a bad start in his semi-final heat in the 50 yard dash, losing to Arthur Bragg of Morgan State, who went on to win the event. Bruck won his qualifying heat in 5.6, two tenths of a second off Bragg's time and the meet record.

Second in Relay

The Crimson's two mile relay team of Frank Nahigian, Dave Ingle, Guido Perera, and Jack Richards finished second behind Boston University. The winning time was 8:10.9.

Clears 15 Feet

Bob Mello had a bad night in the pole vault, but even a good night probably wouldn't have helped him; Bob Richards jumped 15 feet, three inches to win, while Don Laz cleared 14 feet, eight inches for second.