When the freshman heavy crew hit rough water in last Saturday's race against M.I.T., it lagged nearly a length behind the technicians. When both boats emerged from the white caps, the Yardlings had moved up and were almost a length ahead.

This was the first time six of the eight men in the freshman shell had rowed before, and the first time heavy coach Bill Levitt had seen his boys under pressure. He was pleased with what he saw. The former cox and captain of the 1950 varsity crew had taken these six last fall, taught them all they know about crew, and put them into a racing shell. He hoped they would click. And they did.

"This first race showed they had the ability and know-how which had been the big question marks this spring."

Leavitt begins his second year as Yardling heavy coach, after finishing last season with only one loss, that by a deck length. "But I don't think much about last year's boat," he says. I'm too wrapped up here. We've got a big hurdle to jump when we meet Princeton this afternoon. Right now they're the best in the East."

The boat he will send down the Charles against Princeton has been together most of the spring, with only a couple of shifts. Steve Ells, powerful ex-Belmont Hill oarsman, switched from port to starboard after a month on the water. He's now in seven spot, behind captain and stroke Ed Mathews. One of three on the crew from the West Coast, Mathews had never rowed, much less stroked, before coming to Harvard.

Another westerner who hadn't rowed before, Gary Markstaller handles number six oar. Five position is filled by the heaviest man on the squad, Roger Hearne. The former Groton oarsman tops the scales at 188 pounds, on a crew averaging 179.

Lanky Charlie Cunningham begins the bow four, none of whom had handled an oar before visiting Newell Boat House. He is followed by Bruce Martin, third "M" from the west coast. Lightest man of the eight is Parker Pond, in two seat. Freddie Cushing's 6 ft. 5 in. frame stretches out in bow. Cushing follows his brother Howard who rowed on the Yardling heavies last spring. Pete Milton has coxed all spring.

The second boat is the reverse of the first: six-experienced, two-inexperienced. But it has not caught the first all spring. Stroke assignment goes to Gary Schade, former St. Paul's stroke. George Ross, also an SPS oarsman, rows seven, while Randy Edwards fills out six spot.

Howle Lewis came from St. George's crew to row five and Sten Lium from Exeter to four. Padro Galban, at three, holds his first oar. Cary Fox, two man, rowed for St. Pauls, and Dick Weather-head, bow man, never rowed before. Dick Shader coxes.

In the third boat, Cary Heminger strokes, Andy Krumbhaar is at seven, Paul Canney, six, Abba Kastin, five, and Bill Rowe at four. Bob Dole rows three oar, while the bow pair of Steven Hopkins and Dave Knutson end the shell. Both E. Pitts and Charlie Ball alternate at cox.

The squad has depth and lots of experience, except in the first boat. There six of the eight learned how to row at Newell. But that doesn't worry them in the slightest. They've caught the same bug which prompts Coach Leavitt to say he's "all wrapped up in crew." For them, it's crew day and night on and off the Charles.