"I fence badly against bad competition, and that's why I lost," said Tom Keller, number one foil man on Harvard's fencing team after his loss to an underdog Southeastern Massachusetts Technological Institute foilman on Thursday. "You just don't know how a poor fencer will react--whether he will spot your fake and react as you would expect or just stand there."

Fencing is a sport in which it is crucial to be able to estimate your opponent's reactions to your moves. Fencers must know their enemies. On Thursday Keller didn't, was surprised, and beaten, 5-1.

Today Keller, and the Harvard varsity fencing team will face even weaker competition--Holy Cross at 2:30 p.m. in the IAB. The Cross was crushed by a weak Harvard team last year, and this year's powerhouse squad will have no trouble disposing of the Crusaders.

Larry Cetrulo should again pace the victory. He was touched only twice in winning two bouts against SMTI. Team Captain Ron Winfield will again back up Cetrulo in the sabre. The epees will be wielded by sophomre Geza Tetrayllay and senior Bill Theodore. Theodore, the number one epee, did not fence against SMTI.

On December 14 the fencers will meet the City College of New York in the first really big match of the year. Keller, who will have problems with poor opposition again today, should find plenty to challenge him from CCNY.