Double and triple dead heats, not invoking Harvard, in the highlight events at Laker Quinsigamond Saturday overshadowed what the Crimson crews accomplished in the 17th annual Eastern Sprint Championships.

For the first time in the regatta's history, the varsity heavyweight championship race ended in a tie for first between Yale and darkhorse Penn. And, in the varsity lightweight event Navy, Cornell, and MIT finished in a triple lie, thus ending the Crimson's four-year domination in that division.

Coach Harvey Love's varsity heavy-weights hadn't been seeded among the top four, but commanded a great doal of respect because of vast improvement made during the season. When they won their preliminary event, defating top-seeded and previously undefeated Cornell without too much difficulty, it became apparent that anything could happen in the finals.

Stroke Mike Dennis' crew finished fourth in the final, however, just behind the Big Red, who were a full length behind the leaders. The Crimson had actually taken the lead in the beginning, but the race soon became a contest between Yale and Penn.

Coach Larry Coolidge's varsity light-weights were never in serious contention for the Wright Cup. Cornell led most of the way, while Navy crept up at the end and MIT made a fantastic sprint to catch the Big Red for a dead beat. The Crimson had been seeded first and was aiming for its fifth straight title.

The heavyweight JV's were also the top-seeded boat in their division and took an undefeated record into the regatta. They placed a disappointing fifth, however, behind Cornell, Yale, Syracuse, and Wisconsin, in that order.

The other Crimson crews had a far better day. The '65 lights, coached by Fred Cabot, rowed a beautiful race, sprinting past MIT at the finish after being behind a length with only 200 yards to go.

The JV's, who were top seeded and undefeated for the races, then staved of a strong Cornell sprint to win by a second. The freshman heavies, under the coaching of Harry Parker, meanwhile took second place in their finals, a full length behind Cornell.

Though Cornell sqeezed by Yale, 2119, for the Rowe Cup, Harvard didn't fare badly altogether. The Crimson was third in points for the Rowe Cup with 11 and was the only college besides Cornell to place all six boats in the finals.