NEW HAVEN, Conn., Oct. 29--Harvard achieved its first undefeated season since 1989 today when five runners, led by Al Wills and Don French, sloshed through the Yale golf course mud to capture the Big Three cross-country crown from Princeton and Yale.

The Crimson freshmen, sweeping the first three places, won their third straight little Big Three title to complete the Harvard triumph.

For 24 hours a driving rain had turned the course into a quagmire, but the times recorded today were exceptional for any type of weather. Yale's coach, Bob Glegengack, disappointed with his team's third place finish, blamed the unusually fast pace set by the front runners for the Elis' poor showing.

Princeton Jack Vodrey, one of the outstanding sophomores in the East, jumped out in front of the 35-men pack, and held his lead throughout the 4.45 mile course.

At the halfway mark, Vodrey led Wills and French by almost 300 yards. There three stayed in that position for the remainder of the run with Vodrey recording a time of 24 minutes, 51.5 seconds.

With 220 yards to go, French tried desperately to overtake his teammate, but Wills' kick was much too strong. Wills' time was 25:15, and French had a 25:17.

The miserable weather conditions cut the spectators down to a mere dozen or so, but they all cheered loudly for Yale's first finisher, fourth place Marty Duckworth. Duckworth battled with the Crimson's Paul for two miles, finally, edging him with 200 yards to go.

McLean Clinches Victory

Bill Morris, who a year ago captained the Harvard freshmen to victory, overcame last week's virus attack to finish sixth, four seconds behind Beck's 25:47. Princeton's Bill Mather and Al Kitchell were seventh and eighth, followed by Yale's Henry Wight.

But it was Dave McLean, the smallest member of his squad, who gave Coach Bill McCurdy a chance to shake hands with the coaches and officials who congregated around the finish line. McLean's seventh place sealed the Crimson victory. The final point totals were: Harvard, 26; Princeton, 42; and Yale, 56.

Today's victory was McCurdy's second Big Three title in the three years he has been head coach of track and cross-country. This has also been his most successful season--in a year when he was not had one outstanding runner. He has, however, had considerable depth.

Other finishers for the Crimson today included Jim Cairns, 12th; Dick Wharton, 17th; and Captain Frank Nahigian, 18th.

Art (Pete) Reider, the Yardling captain, was not hindered at all by the mud. Turning on a tremendous finishing kick, Reider broke the three mile course record with a time of 16:10.6. This lowered the old mark of 16:19.

Behind Reider, with only inches separating them, came Ralph Perry and Dave Norris, the two other top freshman runners during the season. Perry had a 16:47; Norris, a 16:48. The other places were won by French Anderson, 9th; and Mike Liles, 13th. The final score was: Harvard, 28; Princeton 41; and Yale, 54