PRINCETON, N.J., Feb. 26--The undefeated Crimson swimming team broke the back of revenge-minded Princeton in the first event here today and easily handed the heretofore unbeaten Tigers their first loss in ten starts, 54 to 30. The varsity has now won nine straight.

The times the Crimson showed, however, do not change its underdog status for the meet two weeks hence against Yale.

Princeton, drubbed 71 to 13 last year in Cambridge, had some strong-arm boys this season who threatened to upset the varsity, but they were successful in only four of ten events. Even then, Crimson depth prevented the Tigers from piling up points.

Medley Relay Upset

But the home team knew it was whipped after the opening 300-yard medley relay. It times had been two seconds faster than the Crimson's all season, but today, varsity coach Hall Ulen, who is busy keeping secrets from Yale, loosened the reins on Al Rapperport, Dave Hawkins, and Jack Edwards. The resulting time was 2:54 flat.

Rapperport stayed within two feet of Princeton captain Pat O'Brien in the backstroke leg, and Hawkins, after falling behind to Tiger's Pat Shannon, came back to the same margin.

Princeton's two trumps--two of the strongest in the East--were played and put the team ahead, but they hadn't picked up enough of a lead. Edwards made up the difference freestyling against Red Ferris and went on to win the event for the Crimson by three feet.

Rapperport returned in the 200-yard backstroke and fought to a near upset over O'Brien. Though he beat Jay Harbeck, he was touched out in 2:19.5.

In the breast stroke, however, the Crimson did not look so strong. A tired Hawkins and Sigo Falk could not cope with Tiger John Swabey, who broke his own Princeton record for the event with a 2:30.4 clocking.

The greatly improved Crimson divers, Marshall Walter and John Montgomery, had killed the Tigers by this time, placing one-two of the three-meter board.

In Cambridge, meanwhile, the freshmen lost to a powerful Williston Academy team 52, to 23. The visitors set a 1:32.9 national prep school record in te 200-yard free style relay.

Next Saturday the Crimson goes down to New York City to meet the Columbia squad. On Saturday, March 12, the varsity will be underdog to the powerful Eli team in at meet to be held at the IAB.