"We'll be hard pressed to repeat last year's performance." Harvard wrestling coach John Lee said Thursday as he prepared his squad for its season opener today at Wesleyan.

Harvard has never wrestled Wesleyan. but Lee is not taking the Cardinals lightly. "I anticipate that they'll give us all we'll need." he said.

The Crimson matmen, who finished a close third in the Ivy League behind Penn and Princeton last season, are hampered by a lack of depth in the lower weight groups and the unexpected loss of three lettermen.

Lee had counted on losing only one letterman from last year's S? team, but junior John Imrie drowned in an aquatic accident last August. and junior Tom Tripp ?heavyweight and senior Bruce Goodman (126) quit the team for personal reasons.

Goodman, who quit Tuesday, will be sorely missed since he was the team's only 126 pound wrestler. "We're woefully weak at the lower weights." Lee said. "It is quite unlikely that we'll garner many victories in the 126-pound class."

To avoid forfeiting against Wesleyan, Lee will move one of his 118-pounders. senior Tom Schnorr or sophomore Jay Galeski. up to the 126-pound category, both semi-finalists in last year's eastern tournament.

Any one of four wrestlers. sophomore Colin Mangrum. junior Mike Slutzker. junior Dean Sheppard or junior Bart Harvey could start in the 158-pound class. "I only wish that one of them weighed 126." Lee said.

The performance of junior Tony Rayner (177) is vital to the Crimson's success. "A lot depends on his ability to come through in the tough matches." assistant coach Bob Fehrs said Thursday, Hardworking sophomore Jim Cain could challenge Rayner for the starting position.

Dave Scanlon (190) may have his sophomore ups and downs, but Lee expects a good season from him. "Dave should turn out to be a very dependable performer." he said.

Senior heavyweight Jim Abbott is making a comeback from a knee injury this year. Judging from his freshman and sophomore records, however. he should get more than his share of victories.