Springfield, an eastern wrestling power for over a decade, breezed to a 27-8 victory over the injury-ridden Harvard wrestling team last night in Springfield.

Springfield jumped out to an insurmountable 19-0 lead before Colin Mangrum broke the scoring ice for the Crimson. Losses by Harvard captain Paul Catinella (142) and Dean Sheppard (150) sealed the Crimson's fate early in the match.

Catinella Pinned

In what proved to be a devastating blow. Catinella was pinned by the Indian's Mike Liat midway through their bout. The loss was Catinella's second in as many bouts, and, as Harvard coach John Lee said earlier this week. "When Catinella loses, we're usually in trouble."

Sheppard then lost an 11-2 decision to the Indians' number two man, Steve Gaydosh. Sheppard, subbing for Pat Coleman, had won his first varsity match against Hofstra last Saturday.

Although the matmen were not mathematically eliminated at this point, it would have taken five wins and at least two falls in the remaining five bouts to pull even with the Indians.

That possibility was erased in short order, however, as Mangrum and Mark Faller could only manage decision victories, and Tony Rayner was died at 177.

Mangrum, back in the lineup after a two-week lull, shut out Tom Pietrowski. 7-0, while Faller came from behind to nip. Arthur Zeigler, 6-5, at 167 Zeigler is Springfield's top wrestler, and Lee had hoped that a victory in this bout would turn the match for Harvard.

In his calculations, however, Lee had not figured on two pins in the early going. Catinella's fall was totally unexpected, and, in what must have been a disappointing bout, Steve Monsulik was pinned at 126 by Bill Meyer. Monsulik had been improving rapidly since some rough going in early-season matches.

Rayner Ties

After sitting out the Hofstra meet, Rayner returned last night and emerged with a 2-2 tie against Bill Baynard. John Countryman, filling in for Dave Scanlon at 190, dropped a 5-2 decision, while Jim Abbo?tiwas upset in the unlimited bout by William Pendelbury, 4-3.

Tom Schnorr (118) and Rick Battle (134) lost 8-2 and 7-5 decisions, respectively to complete the scoring.

Springfield has lost only one dual meet to a northeastern opponent since 1959, when Harvard claimed its most recent victory over the potent Indians.

The Modern Athlete

John Davies, a British runner at the University of Washington, has left the school because he believes that four members of his team smoke marijuana before workouts.

"Everyone knows about it-even the coaches." said Davies. "But they won't face up to it," he added.

The school's athletic director, Joe Kearney, investigated the charges, which apparently, stem from one incident, and concluded that no one on the team smokes marijuana.