For the first time in fifteen years, Harvard harriers will be running in the NCAA cross-country championships Captain Ed Meehan and star sophomore Walt Hewlett face a field of over 240 runners from 45 schools at Michigan State this afternoon.

Hewlett led for the first mile in last week's IC4A race, pacing even Villanova's Vic Zwolak, who went to to win. Hewlett faded to eleventh toward the end of the five-mile course, but in East Lansing, Mich., today the Big Three champ faces only a four mile jaunt.

Meehan, who has been steadily improving throughout the season, also turned in his best effort in the IC4A. His ninth place represents the best Harvard finish in the New York hill-and-dale classic since 1932.

San Jose State is the favored team entrant today, while Zwolak faces stiff competition for the individual title against such national stars as Dan Murphy of San Jose and Geoff Walker of Houston.